8 Cool Bars in Paris: Speakeasies, Cocktails & Hidden Gems
There is no shortage of cool bars in Paris for your after-dinner cocktail. The hard part? Picking one. Our nightlife guide lists 8 of the best bars in Paris, France, from sultry speakeasies to some of the best cocktail bars in the city, organized by vibe to make your choice of where to drink easy.
Paris’s nightlife scene is as excellent as its dining scene. Whether you’re looking for a casual sunset spritz on a terrace, a classy cocktail on a rooftop, or something inventive at one of the city’s many hidden speakeasies, the top bars in Paris have a venue to suit your mood. With so many talented mixologists in the city, it’s hard to go wrong, but harder still to decide where to go! Our Paris nightlife guide is here to help, with a list of some of the best cocktail bars in Paris, France. Read on for 8 cool bars in Paris you need to visit on your next night out in the City of Lights.
Looking for somewhere to grab a bite beforehand? Check out our post 15 of the Top Places to Eat in Paris, France: A Foodie’s Restaurant Guide. We’ve also got premade itineraries to make planning your trip to Paris a breeze in our post Your Perfect Paris 5 Day Itinerary.
Update note: This guide was reviewed in February 2026 to confirm current openings, pricing, and overall relevance.
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8 Cool Bars in Paris - Speakeasies, Cocktail Bars, & Hidden Gems Guide:
- 8 Cool Bars in Paris, France You’ve Gotta Try
- FAQs for The Best Cocktail Bars in Paris, France
8 Cool Bars in Paris, France You've Gotta Try
We highly recommend these top bars in Paris for your next visit. Make sure to check out our FAQs before you go for helpful hints on timing, tipping, and where to stay in Paris!
Iconic Paris Speakeasies
Paris speakeasies have become so popular, they’re not always still so secret – but that doesn’t mean they’re not still awesome! One such not-so-secret – but still amazing – speakeasy is No Entry. Located downstairs of popular Italian restaurant Pink Mamma in the 9th arrondissement (a Parisian neighborhood/district), No Entry has a unique aesthetic that’s equal parts cool, classy, and almost a little bit creepy. Large jars of infused liquors decorate the walls, backlit in an eye-catching and spooky way. Their rotating menu is full of inventive cocktails featuring fresh ingredients and usually a twist you wouldn’t expect, like a tomato in your margarita. To visit, skip straight past the line for Pink Mamma and head downstairs to the freezer door marked “No Entry” – no reservation needed!
Another great choice for a late-night aesthetic, Little Red Door is an intimate bar in the 3rd arrondissement well-known for their creative cocktails. While they bill themselves as a speakeasy, they’re a little too popular at this point for there to be much mystery. After all, they’ve made the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars nine times since they opened in 2012, and you’ll likely need to wait in line for a bit to get inside. But, if you’re willing to stick it out, you’ll be rewarded with excellent service and some innovative flavors. Head here if you’re interested in tasting something out-of-the-box.
Don’t feel like queuing up? Little Red Door does accept reservations for dinner for their tasting menu. We recommend booking a table at Little Red Door for dinner at least 1-2 weeks in advance.
Finally, we have Danico, a speakeasy-style venue inside of Italian restaurant Daroco in the 2nd arrondissement. I say speakeasy-style, rather than speakeasy, as it’s not exactly hidden, just tucked into the back of the restaurant. But what it lacks in mystery of location, it makes up for in the menu. Danico’s menu frequently changes, but always features a clear theme with unique flavors. When we visited, the menu was themed based on the mixologist’s recent trip to India. One drink featured ingredients like burnt cashew distillate and goat milk, while another included kaffir lime leaves and coconut yogurt. While very different, both drinks were absolutely delicious. Don’t trust us? Trust this – Danico made the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2024.
Danico does not accept reservations for the bar, so be prepared for a bit of a wait if you visit during peak hours!
Cool Paris Cocktail Bars
Now let’s head to the upper class of another era at Gatsby. Located in the heart of the 7th arrondissement, Gatsby is one of the coolest bars in Paris. Themed after the 1920’s, they specialize in classic cocktails and gin drinks. Their crew of bartenders – which, on the night we visited, was composed entirely of badass women – are skilled mixologists who serve a consistently crafted cocktail time after time. Gatsby also features an excellent DJ, and is popular with locals and tourists all night long.
Want to guarantee your spot at this cool bar in Paris? Reserve your table at Gatsby a few days to 1 week in advance.
If Gatsby’s vibe was a bit too darkly sexy for you, try Bisou., where everything is pink. Located on the east side of the 3rd arrondissement, Bisou. is a perfectly Instagrammable bar just begging to host your next girls’ night. Unique to Bisou. is their complete lack of a menu. Instead, the bartenders will create a drink custom-made for you and your flavor du jour. This is the perfect place if you have a hard time choosing a drink or just love a fun surprise. It’s a popular spot though, so don’t be surprised if there’s a bit of a wait – Bisou. has a no-reservations policy.
Looking to really class things up? Head to the garden bar attached to the Saint James Paris hotel in the 16th arrondissement. Entering this property will make you feel like the upper-class rich and famous person you aspire to be. This place is dripping in luxury, and I would not have been surprised in the least if we had run into some politician, business magnate, or celebrity. While the drinks here are not cheap, neither are the vibes. The garden setting is gorgeous, the service attentive, and hey, we all deserve to feel fancy now and then, right?
Pro tip: You don’t need a reservation to visit the garden bar at the Saint James Paris, but it’s only open to the public after 7pm. Prior to that, it’s for guests and Club members only!
Chill Bars in Paris for Conversation
Now on to something a little more casual. The Club is a “no frills” cocktail bar located in the 7th arrondissement near Hôtel des Invalides and one of our favorite restaurants in Paris, Michelin-starred Tomy & Co. While it’s not a standout for aesthetics, The Club serves an excellent cocktail. Plus, the more casual vibe results in a more reasonable drink price, with most craft cocktails costing just 13 EUR. To top it off, the friendly waitstaff will bring you a bowl of chips to munch on while you drink, so it’s a great spot for a pre-dinner aperitivo if you need a snack before dinner.
Update Note: According to Google Maps, this cool bar in Paris is temporarily closed. However, recent reviews indicated otherwise, so it might still be worth a try! We’ll check back again later and update this guide as things develop.
Another laid-back choice, Bianca is an Italian restaurant in the 2nd arrondissement with delicious pizza and a fantastic terrace perfect for enjoying a glass of wine. With comfy couches and egg chairs, you can happily settle in to read a book or chat with friends. And, if you time it right, you can even enjoy a lovely sunset over the picturesque buildings of Paris. Alternatively, the inside of the restaurant is a chic spot for a cocktail, with tile flooring, warm lighting, and lots of foliage. Inside or out, you can’t go wrong at Bianca.
You likely won’t need a reservation at Bianca just to grab a drink, but if you’d like dinner too, consider booking a table at Bianca a couple of days in advance.
FAQs for The Best Cocktail Bars in Paris, France
Which Top Bars in Paris Require Advance Reservations?
Surprisingly, many of the best bars in Paris, France actually have a strict no-reservation policy. However, there are a few you can – and should – reserve in advance. We recommend booking a table a few days to a week in advance at the following cool bars in Paris:
- Little Red Door (longest lead time)
- Gatsby
Which Neighborhoods Have the Best Bars in Paris, France?
- Hotel Florida ($$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 9.0 average rating
- Hôtel Vernet ($$$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, 8.9 average rating
When Do People Typically Go Out for Paris Nightlife?
The top bars in Paris tend to pick up around 10pm, while nightclubs start to hit their peak around 1am. Bars typically close between 1 and 2am, but don’t worry – if you’re looking to party all night, the clubs stay open until as late (or early) as 6am!
Should I Tip at Top Bars in Paris, France?
Tipping is not standard in Paris, though it is becoming more common. Certainly, rounding up here and there is always appreciated. However, if your waiter is specifically asking you for a tip, you’re in a tourist trap.
Do Paris Speakeasies and Bars Accept Credit Cards?
Nearly all bars in Paris, France will accept card, but it’s good to have some cash on hand for more casual spots – or a street food snack when you get the munchies. We recommend withdrawing a small amount of cash (about 100 euro or ~$120) at the airport in case of emergencies, as finding an ATM around town can be quite difficult. Don’t forget our pro tip on withdrawing from ATMs in foreign countries!
Pro tip: When offered an exchange rate by an ATM, you can – and should – always decline the rate displayed. This rate often includes a heavy markup on top of the market exchange rate. Declining the rate will not stop your transaction, but rather allow your personal bank to set the rate instead.
Do I Need to Speak French to Order at Cool Bars in Paris?
Definitely not. We had no issues interacting with people in the service industry in English during our time in Paris, though knowing a few key words will definitely win you some brownie points with the locals. Practice these ones before your trip:
- Hello – Bonjour – bon-ZHOOR
- Goodbye – Au revoir – oh ruh-VWAHR
- Please – S’il vous plaît – seel voo-PLAY (always pays to be polite!)
- Thank you – Merci – mehr-SEE (the most important)
- Excuse me – Excusez-moi – ex-KYOO-zay mwah (to grab a waiter’s attention)
- Can I pay? – Je peux payer? – zhuh puh pay-YAY?
- The bill/check – L’addition – lah-dee-SYOHN
- Cheers! – Santé! – sahn-TAY!
Want to learn more? Check out our post 120+ Basic French Words and Phrases for Travel and Tourists.
Where Can I Learn More About Paris and Why I Should Visit It?
Right here! We have a full travel guide and itinerary for Paris here, along with recommendations for our favorite restaurants in Paris and a guide to optimizing your visit to Versailles too. Check out all of our France travel guides here.
Final Thoughts on 8 Cool Bars in Paris, France
While there are innumerable cool bars in Paris, these are definitely stand-outs that are worth a visit on your next trip to the city. We hope you enjoy these top bars and speakeasies in Paris as much as we did! Comment below what your favorites were.
Looking for more recommendations on what to see and do in Paris? Check out our post Your Perfect Paris 5 Day Itinerary. Hungry? Check out some of our favorite restaurants in Paris.
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