Maison Lupin

Maison Lupin is a cocktail lounge with a terrace on Calle Almirante Cadarso, number 12, in the heart of the Cánovas area of Valencia's Eixample, one of the busiest streets in the district for afternoon drinks and evening plans. Its name and story borrow from Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief of French literature, and the venue presents itself as his secret warehouse, a hideaway for fine drinks and celebrations. It is part of Cosmic Group, the local company behind Havana, Indiana, Tulum and other Valencia venues.

The signature detail is the cocktail service. Many house cocktails are served in ceramic sculptures and busts paying tribute to music stars, from Rosalía to the Valencian singer Nino Bravo, which has made them some of the most photographed drinks in the area. Alongside the signature list there are easy classics such as an Aperol Spritz, plus beer, wine and soft drinks. A related venue, Piano Bar Lupin, in the basement of the Mercado de Colón, is presented as a more informal take on the same idea.

Maison Lupin works across the whole evening. It opens every day at around four in the afternoon, so the terrace fills up with tardeo crowds, after-work groups and friends meeting for a first drink. As the night goes on, the music moves from lounge to commercial hits and the room gets livelier, staying open until around half past two during the week and three at weekends. It is a place for drinks, conversation and celebrations rather than a full nightclub.

The crowd is mixed: local groups of friends, couples, birthday groups and plenty of visitors who have seen the cocktails on social media. There is no strict dress code, but Cánovas tends towards a neat, going-out look. Entry is for over-18s. Cocktails are generally around 10 to 14 euros, while beers and wines are cheaper. Reservations are accepted and are a good idea for the terrace or for larger groups, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Practical tips: arrive early if you want a terrace table, because the place is popular with locals and tourists alike. Maison Lupin makes an easy start to a night in Cánovas: Plaza de Cánovas and its clubs, including Havana, are around the corner, the bars of Calle Conde de Altea are a few minutes away, and Ruzafa is within walking distance if you want dinner first.