Antoine Lesch and Ted Ury have opened their first bar: Are We Friends Bar. (Photo: Jan Hanrion/Paperjam)

Antoine Lesch and Ted Ury have opened their first bar: Are We Friends Bar. (Photo: Jan Hanrion/Paperjam)

Since 2023, Antoine Lesch and Ted Ury have been mulling over an idea with friends: Are We Friends Beer, a beer that started out almost as a joke between rounds of drinks. “We’ve been mates for over twenty years and we thought it would be cool to have our own beer one day,” they explain. Two and a half years later, the project has come to fruition: over 50,000 cans produced and a presence in several bars.

One idea led to another: opening their first pub in town. A place where, naturally, you drink beer on tap, including the one created by Ted and AntoineAntoine, as well as a constantly evolving selection of craft beers and wines, ranging from natural to more traditional varieties. The idea isn’t to create a sophisticated cocktail bar, but a simple place where people can come for a drink with friends. And, above all, to eat.

Because at Are We Friends, food plays a central role. The croque-monsieurs, which were trialled at previous events, are available on the menu all year round. Simple, effective and quick to serve, they’ve already found their audience. “People loved them,” they explain.

Centred around this classic dish, the small kitchen evolves with the seasons, led by Tumi Tomasson, who manages the venue and also works as the chef in the kitchen. The menu is deliberately kept short and ever-changing, adapting to the availability of ingredients and the chefs’ inspiration. Much like their beer, really: a project born amongst friends that has gradually become a real meeting place.

This article was written for this month’s issue of Paperjam magazine April 2026, published on 25 March. The content is produced exclusively for the magazine. It is published on the website to contribute to Paperjam’s comprehensive archive. Click on this link to subscribe to the magazine.

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