New life has returned to the former Florence Coffee shop, just over the road from its new location. The windows have recently been decorated with cheerful, colourful portraits of elderly ladies with the word “MUUM” written across their faces in large red letters – the two “U “s under their eyes shaped like reading glasses. If you take a look behind the window pane, you can see a few small tables, a counter and a back bar with various glass bottles – all right, there’s something for refreshment here! A bar for your mum
Behind the counter, you are greeted by a familiar face with his signature smile: Raphael Betti – the “enfant terrible” of Luxembourg’s nightlife, who has already completely turned the cocktail bar concept on its head with his first project “B.A.C.“, which incidentally earned him the title of “Bar de l’Année 2024” at Gault et Millau. Raphael is actively supported by Anaïs: “She’s our Muum on duty!” explains the always cheerful barman.
Anyone who thinks that, like B.A.C., there are cocktails with a focus on regional spirits and liqueurs is mistaken. All drinks creations at MUUM’s are 100% alcohol-free. Betti explains: “Florence gave us the opportunity to open a new bar here. Of course, we had to come up with a special concept! I was thinking of my mum, she doesn’t like to drink alcohol and she’s certainly not the only one. Long story short – MUUM is dedicated to all mums!”.
It may come as a shock to long-established Luxembourgers, but there is a growing trend towards non-alcoholic drinks. The MUUMs aims to emphasise that enjoyment and conviviality do not necessarily require alcohol. “You can’t try to recreate the flavour of traditional cocktails with alcohol,” explains Raphael. “You’ll never surpass the original, which is why I create originals from scratch that don’t include alcohol from the outset.”
What’s delicious on the menu?
In true family restaurant style, the menu card also functions as a coaster. With the coloured pencils provided, you can colour in the little pictures that illustrate the individual cocktail creations on the menu as you please.
There are currently six original creations on offer. The “Wine Muum” is a bit of an impostor; served from a green glass bottle in a white wine glass, you could be forgiven for thinking you were drinking a Riesling. In fact, it is an infusion of pepper and Seedlip with clarified grapefruit juice. A fruity-sweet mix with a certain spiciness: the perfect drink for sunny spring days on the small terrace in front of the restaurant.
Among the two “Not so Classics”, however, there are allusions to more traditional cocktails: the “Classic Muum”, for example, is a refreshing twist on the Aperol Spritz – without a drop of alcohol, of course. “The menu is constantly updated, just like at the B.A.C. ,” explains Betti, so that the offer remains fresh and exciting and guests can discover something new every time they visit.
If the selection of drinks doesn’t make you feel at home with mum, you can also order delicious homemade crèpes.
MUUM’s has been in soft opening for a fortnight, the big official opening ceremony will take place on Thursday, 28 June from 16:00, don’t miss it!
Adress: 69a, rue Adolphe Fischer – Luxembourg
Opening hours:
Wed-Sat: 16:00-22:00
Instagram: @muums_cocktailbar