Verne Club

"Shaken, not stirred: cocktails in a gentleman's club A classic Manhattan - paired with a hot dog? You heard that right. Granted, these are gourmet hot dogs. But only the bold and imaginative Fede Cuco, one of the city's premiere bartenders (considered something of a celebrity barman, even, on the local food and drink scene) would dream of pulling it off. But pull it off he does - and quite well, at that. Verne Club, a gentleman's club-style cocktail lounge inspired by Jules Verne, is one of Palermo's newest hot spots for pre-dinner aperitifs or late-night drinks. Sink into a plush leather armchair and try Cuco's Negroni sbagliato - and a hot dog, too, of course."

"Walking into Verne is like stepping back in time—one inspired by Jules Verne and his imagined adventures under the sea and to the center of the earth. Picture deep leather Chesterfield style sofas, little brass wheels and bits and pieces from indeterminate object hanging on the exposed brick walls, framed Victorian-style illustrations of machinery from an imagined future, vintage goggles, and boxy TV sets displayed with reverence. The place is as fun as it looks with cocktails to match." - Celeste Moure

"First impression? Walking into Verne is like stepping back in time—one inspired by Jules Verne and his imagined adventures under the sea and to the center of the earth. Picture deep leather Chesterfield style sofas, little brass wheels and bits and pieces from indeterminate object hanging on the exposed brick walls, framed Victorian-style illustrations of machinery from an imagined future, vintage goggles, and boxy TV sets displayed with reverence. The place is as fun as it looks with cocktails to match. Cool. So who’s there? Instead of explorers and aviators with pith helmets and birdlike gadgets, your barmates are most likely dressed head-to-toe in black, probably sporting ripped-at-the-knees pants or fishnet stockings. These 21st-century cyberpunks also have devices, the kind where every moment captured is shared: #lit. How are the drinks? The Verne theme continues on the "Around the World in 80 Cocktails" menu with drinks named after cities. You'll want to try them all. Worth ordering something to eat, too? At Verne the bar snacks are elevated to an art form—think osobuco quesadillas, shrimp & chips, halloumi and mushroom sliders, and artisanal hot dogs. Did the staff do you right? If the owner, Fede Cuco, is there, he is probably chatting about his favorite bitter or ingredient to whoever he's crafting a drink for on the fly. The rest of the team are also friendly, though at times service is slow because of how popular the bar has become. Wrap it up: what are we coming here for? This is the perfect spot to bring a date or someone you want to impress. The crowd is mostly locals, fashionably dressed and having a good time." - Celeste Moure