The Cocktail Bars of Paris: A Guide by Arrondissement
Editor’s Note: This article was updated in July 2025.
For generations there was nothing to rival the list of French wines found in the bistros and brasseries of Paris, but since the early 2000s, there’s been a new kid on the block – the cocktail bar. The French have been distilling liqueurs and spirits for centuries but always looked to other countries when it came to intoxicating combinations. The first French guide to mixing drinks in “the American, English, and Italian mode” was published in 1889 by Parisian Emile Lefeuvre. In 1920s Paris, cocktails ran freely when adventuresome American bartenders, unemployed due to Prohibition at home, were eager to share their methods and recipes. But, alas, cocktail culture soon languished with the exception of few stalwarts, Harry’s New York Bar and Bar Hemingway at the Ritz.
Now, everything old is new again. There are hundreds of bars in Paris dedicated to the cocktail. Some pay tribute to the clandestine speakeasy of old. Others are cutting-edge modern. Some focus on. Asian flavors and South American spirits, with a trend toward organic, natural, ingredients. Many mixologists have a hand in making their own infusions and essences on site. It’s pure alchemy.
With the welcome news that bars and restaurant terrasses will be reopening on May 19 as part of the lifting of pandemic restrictions, we’re fêting these great drinking dens with the ultimate guide. Here we drink our way through Paris, sampling stand-outs in each arrondissement. From the wild and woolly to world class, for the well-heeled, hipster, or abstainer, there’s a cocktail bar for everyone in Paris.
1st Arrondissement
Bar Isadora
60 rue Jean Jacques Rousseau, 75001
Bar Isadora is gorgeous, roaring-20s kind of place, popular with a thirties kind of crowd, many who consider it to be the top cocktail bar in Paris. Bar Isadora is a chic and cheerful destination tucked into the very heart of the city. On the unique drinks list is the Mata Hari, concocted from gin, Chartreuse and Asian pandan syrup, with rich vanilla tones. Featuring an upbeat and well-curated soundtrack, the bar staff at Isadora will soon be ‘spinning’ the classic fine à l’eau into something new by creating a fine oil of coconut, verjus, and home-grown grape syrup to add to premium cognac. Isadora’s small kitchen provides a fresh daily menu; organic and homemade. They are known for their impeccable service.
2nd Arrondissement
6 Rue Vivienne, 75002
Tucked behind Daroco restaurant in a chic space once home to Jean-Paul Gaultier’s flagship, Danico is one of Paris’s most exciting cocktail bars. Located inside the ornate Galerie Vivienne and hidden behind the velvet curtain of Daroco restaurant, Danico is where Parisian elegance meets boundary-pushing mixology. Led by globe-trotting mixologist Nico de Soto, it’s ranked among the world’s 50 best bars. With a rotating, travel-inspired “Danico Xplorer” menu and flawless service, Danico blends bold creativity with speakeasy charm.
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The Experimental Cocktail Club
37 rue Saint-Sauveur, 75002
No list of cocktail bars is complete without mentioning The Experimental Cocktail Club. It’s where many young Parisian bartenders have cut their teeth. Innovative, audacious recipes are concocted at this comfortable speak-easy themed bar, considered the home of the rebirth of cocktail culture in Paris. Those bitters you puzzle about in the gourmet shop – these mixologists know what to do with them. This place is an institution.
Exterior shot of Le Mary Celeste. Photo credit © George Stevens
3rd Arrondissement
1 rue Commines, 75003.
As of 2025, Le Mary Celeste is once again in the spotlight, named a top four finalist for Best International Restaurant Bar by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. Mary Celeste is named after a ghost ship found adrift with a hold fully stocked with alcohol – a perfect name for a cocktail and seafood bar. Their invigorating Rise and Shine is crafted from Mescal, licorice liqueur, coffee powder and lemon. The Rain Dog is made from bourbon, Amaro Diesus liqueur, syrup, lemon, Angostura bitters and mint. The interior of Le Mary Celeste is centered around a counter – a hip place for sampling drinks and oysters.
Photo courtesy of Bisou
Bisou
15 Boulevard du Temple, 75003
The eye-catching bar Bisou doesn’t have a menu, but share your preferences with the mixologist behind the marble bar and they’ll make anything that suits your fancy for about €15 a pop. The décor is pretty, pink, fun and flamingoes. The cocktails may be adventurous and high-flying, but Bisou takes a sustainable approach and only works with organic, locally sourced products. All their syrups and juices are made in house, they strive to create zero waste and have long said goodbye to plastic straws. It’s like having a boyfriend who listens to you. The romantic patio at Bisou is dripping with hanging plants and ambience.
4th Arrondissement
25 Rue Beautreillis, 75004
Located on rue Beautreillis since 1905, Aux Vins des Pyrénées blends Parisian history with timeless charm. Once a wine depot founded by a Catalan inventor, it’s now a beautifully restored bistro and speakeasy-style cocktail bar. Upstairs, amid antique furnishings and soft jazz, you’ll find cozy salons, a smoking lounge, and a starlit terrace. With expertly crafted cocktails, live music, and old-world ambiance, it’s pure Marais magic.
5th Arrondissement
Solera
283 Rue Saint-Jacques, 75005
A short walk from the Port-Royal RER station, just south of the Luxembourg Gardens, Solera is a friendly venue worthy of your time. It’s an unforgettable food/drink experience. The bartenders come from a high-end background but get down with creative cocktails. They can make you a personalized cocktail or mocktail in a specialty container. The Masterpiece is a balanced mix of Gin, ginger cordial, crème de pêche, organic tonic, bitter plum and Thai basil. It’s served in a snail-shaped vessel smoked under a cloche of dried verbena. The tasteful, frondy, neo art-deco interior glows blue. The under 40 crowd relaxes to a tipsy French soundtrack.
6th Arrondissement
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Tiger
13 rue Princesse, 75006
“Welcome to the Jungle of Gin,” Tiger Bar’s website says. Located on a pretty street rife with other bistros, Tiger is the pre-eminent gin bar in Paris. No gin joint of a bygone era, Tiger is an aesthetically pleasing fusion of blond wood and Japanese spa aesthetic where each gin cocktail is a new experience. They have a 100 varieties of gin, so hey, a new gin every week. They have 13 signature gin cocktails. The wait staff really knows their stuff.
7th Arrondissement
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Le Gatsby
64 Avenue Bosquet, 75007
Le Gatsby is a great find. It’s a tiny, crisp place with many 1920s and 30s touches – club chairs, a smoking room, art deco lamps. Vincent the bartender recreates the Roaring Twenties with cocktails named after ‘20s icons. The Baker – no doubt Josephine – features Vodka, Cointreau, Strawberry puree, egg white and Perrier. The Edith features Hendrick’s Gin, dry Noilly Prat, Suze aperitif and Maraschino liqueur. And The Chaplin is made from two varieties of rum with lemon juice, blueberry puree and chestnut syrup.
8th Arrondissement
57 Rue d’Anjou, 75008
Unplug is Paris’s first immersive cocktail bar – a retro-futuristic capsule where mixology meets multi-sensory travel. Upon arrival, you’re handed a “passport” to guide you through a global menu inspired by Asia, Africa, and South America. With 360° sound, glowing ceilings, and portholes projecting shifting landscapes, each drink becomes a journey. Thoughtfully crafted cocktails, theatrical presentation, and standout hospitality make Unplug a bold, transportive experience – no boarding pass or carbon footprint required!
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Four Seasons George V, Av. George V, 75008
If you’re looking for opulence, this is the choice for you. Concealed inside the legendary Four Seasons George V, Le Bar is Parisian opulence distilled. With just a handful of velvet-lined seats, it’s an intimate hideaway for those who appreciate rare spirits, expertly crafted cocktails, and refined service. Signature drinks like a Sazerac with Rémy Martin XO or an espresso martini with Clase Azul tequila pair beautifully with luxe bites like mini lobster rolls. Come for the cocktails, stay for the splendor.
9th Arrondissement
20bis, Rue de Douai, 75009
Beneath Pink Mamma lies a hidden speakeasy, accessed through a steel door marked “No Entry”. It’s a mix of velvet boudoir and herbalist’s den, offering an Italian-style escape with colorful infused spirits and expertly crafted cocktails. The vibe is cool, creative, and intimate – perfect for a spontaneous adventure. You’d never find it by accident, but once inside, it feels like a secret corner of Paris you’ll never forget.
10th Arrondissement
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Gravity Bar
44 Rue des Vinaigriers, 75010
Near Canal Saint-Martin, the bartenders at this small space are adept at shaking up the classics or creating their own cocktails, like Cream Pie, made with Madeira, crème de cacao, crème de menthe and almond-flavored crème fraîche. At Gravity the motif isn’t outer space, but skate park where swooping waves of gravity-defying plywood extend above the space and the half-moon bar. They’ve got great looking food too. Summertime cocktails have names like Pink Pool, Mr. Greenthumb and Clockwork Soda – created from Rum, Almond, Lime and Mandarin Bergamot Soda. Drinks are listed not by spirit but by sensation.
11th Arrondissement
Moonshiner
5 rue Sedain, 75011.
Once you make it past the tempting smells emanating from Da Vita pizzeria, you’ll find Moonshiner, a kind of lush speakeasy accessible through the restaurant’s cold storage door. They stay true to their Prohibition vibe, but no password is required. During Covid they’ve had a cocktail delivery service which in itself seems almost as spurious as a 1920s booze can. The Lover’s Last Sip is comprised of Botanist gin, Lillet Blanc infused with strawberries, Rinquinquin – a peachy aperitif – and basil.
12th Arrondissement
Le Calbar
82 rue de Charenton, 75012
Here the waiters serve you without trousers, but with a shirt and a bow tie and, phew, boxers. Who can help but laugh? The Calbar Qui Rit (the Laughing Calbar) is beverage made from Plantation rum, coconut and pandan water, lemon juice and decorated with silver palettes. If you order a Surprise Me, watch out – one of the bartenders will make you a special creation. Although their dress code is rather ridiculous they have great taste in music and work in a cool industrial chic setting. There are four non-alcoholic choices including The Grasshopper made from mint, white chocolate and cream.
13th Arrondissement
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La Folie en Tete
33 Rue de la Butte aux Cailles, 75013
La Folie en Tête is a small, young-at-heart bar located on a cobblestone hill of Butte aux Cailles. Its relaxed space where the inexpensive cocktails and the kindness of the waiters attract regular customers. There’s a real village feel to this locale. La Folie En Tête has been in place since 1991. The walls of the bar are decked in a variety of musical instruments and the bar highlights World music with samplings of rock and jazz. Some regulars come back to jam – and they have a 6-track CD to prove it. The Caïpi-Fresh – caïpiroska – a typical South American cocktail prepared with fresh fruits: kiwi, strawberry or raspberry is just 6 €. I said it was inexpensive. La Folie en Tête translates to “Madness in the Head.”
The interior of Café Bohème. Courtesy of Café Bohème and photo credit © Dreammy_lifestyle
14th Arrondissement
Café Bohème
19 Boulevard Edgar Quinet, 75014.
The interior of Café Bohème rivals its patio as a light and airy place evocative of boho teatime and cakes. Cocktails include the Violet Spritz, with violet liqueur, prosecco and ginger ale; the Tulipe, with gin, Aperol, lemon and grapefruit juice or the signature strawberry, raspberry and passion fruit Mojito. The bar offers an array of fresh juices and the alcohol free Arthur, named after Rimbaud. Café Bohème aims to be whimsical, and succeeds in not being overly so. The bar is tastefully festooned with lacy lampshades and dried flowers. With its light-handed palette it stands out from its other neighbors on the boulevard, which largely appears to be patio-central in the shadow of the Tour Montparnasse.
15th Arrondissement
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Oogy Wawa
4 rue Auguste Dorchain, 75015.
There are many fine restaurants in the quiet 15th arrondissement, Le Cherine, and Le Veraison, par exemple, but the only dedicated cocktail bar of note is Le Zero de Conduite, where the game-playing clientele suck on cocktail smoothies served in baby bottles. If you must, it’s located at located at 102 rue du Theatre. If you want to save yourself from this kind of regression, the district does boast the only cocktail supply shop in Paris, Oogy Wawa, offering a wide selection of bar equipment and cocktail ingredients if you’d rather mix your own drink. If you’re wondering ,Oogy Wawa is “Cheers!” in the Zulu language.
16th Arrondissement
Cravan
17 rue Jean de la Fontaine, 75016
Named after a part-time boxer and erstwhile poet in post-World War I Paris, Arthur Cravan was wilder than his uncle Oscar Wilde and treated life like performance art. Today the cocktail bar named for Cravan is housed in an Art Nouveau building designed by one of the movement’s paragons – Hector Guimard. Amid a cool palette of old tiles and silvered mirrors, the experienced owners create sleek cocktails behind the zinc bar – reminiscent of the zesty ‘20s – like the French 75 made from gin, absinthe and Champagne or The Yellow with gin, gentian and yellow chartreuse. Conde Nast Traveler called it one of The Best New Bars in the World.
17th Arrondissement
HAZE
4 Rue de l’Arc de Triomphe, 75017
Hidden a stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe, Haze is a sultry, intimate speakeasy bathed in sexy red light and soft music. The vibe is warm and effortlessly chic. Bartenders craft cocktails with passion – balanced, bold, and tailored to your taste. Whether nestled in an alcove or at the bar, you’ll feel indulged. This is a hidden gem for lovers, dreamers, and anyone craving a night of flavor and atmosphere.
18th Arrondissement
Le Très Particulier
23 Avenue Junot, Pavillon D. 75018
Le Très Particulier, tucked away in a grove of city trees on the slopes of Montmartre, is a sumptuous lounge and solarium, part of the hotel complex of the same name. In this ivy-draped space, Le Très Particulier’s head bartender Valentin Vignolles will expertly create something special for the curious, younger crowd, as well as their affluent guests. Ingredients include natural, homemade concoctions – infusions, syrups and perfumed sugars. The drinks on the menu are inspired by film characters such as the complex and fascinating Rhett Butler consisting of Four Roses Bourbon, Luxardo, lemon, vanilla syrup, Tabasco, and Peychaud’s bitters. The Tom Sawyer and Mr Andrews are non-alcoholic drinks that also reflect contemporary movies. Buzz the intercom to gain access to the bar and the exemplary Très Particulier restaurant with a seasonal menu created by chef Gabriele Faiella. They also host DJ sets every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
19th Arrondissement
La Pavillon Puebla
Avenue Darcel, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, 75019
The drinks menu at La Pavillon Puebla, located in the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, features beverages with a South American twist despite the appealing venue being more like a 19th-century Parisian guinguette. Surrounding a stone-clad house, the terraces at La Pavillon Puebla are set under shady chestnuts where garlands of lights twinkle after twilight over the dance floor. The eclectic décor features boho benches and cushions, velvet couches, along with wrought iron bistro tables. The Bomfin cocktail walks the tightrope of Cachaça Janeiro, Angostura, ginger cordial, lemon juice, and sugar syrup. The Pavillon is very casual and very pretty.
Combat
63 Rue de Belleville, 75019
No camo and macho posturing at Combat; instead you’ll find the creative cocktail project of three female friends, apprenticed at the famed Experimental Cocktail Club. Combat is bright, modern and subtly decorated. Mustard-colored tiles frame a long shelf displaying Combat’s range of spirits. The stainless steel bar resembles a laboratory dedicated to mixology. The enticing menu features cocktail names such as “Gentle-Mah” and “Redmeat” – the latter combining orange bitters, pink berry gin, red vermouth, raspberry brandy, and radish. The bar is located in what was once the Quartier du Combat, an area where wild animals were once baited to fight. It’s also a nod to the fight the three young owners had to put up to open the bar.
20th Arrondissement
50 Rue de Belleville, 75020
Kissproof in Belleville is a neon-lit, joyfully chaotic cocktail bar that channels the spirit of its Beirut twin. Funky, flirty, and full of flair, it’s where you come to feel like a diva. Expect playful drinks like JE-SUIS-MADONNA-B****!, LES-DIVAS-DU-DANCING and “LIQUID LAMBORGHINI”-IN-MY-“FLAMING COCAINE”. If the names of these cocktails alone don’t tempt you (but how could they not!), then combinations of Calvados, blueberries, pistachios and lemon, or Pisco, apricot, and tarragon definitely will! It’s loud, irreverent, and irresistibly fun.
Lead photo credit : Photo courtesy of Bar Isadora
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