The Best Bars in Paris: A Night Out Done Properly

Paris takes drinking as seriously as it takes food, fashion, and philosophy, which is to say: completely. During our time in the city we explored some of its most renowned bars, from a legend inside the Ritz to a speakeasy hiding behind a laundromat. Here are my notes from five very different Parisian nights.

Bar Hemingway (Ritz Paris)

Start with the legend. Bar Hemingway, inside the Ritz, is steeped in history and elegance: leather armchairs, wood-panelled walls, and the ghost of its most famous regular, Ernest Hemingway himself. The story goes that when Paris was liberated in 1944, Hemingway rushed here to "liberate" the bar as well.

The cocktails match the myth. I tried the Serendipity, refreshing and precise, made under the eye of Colin Field, one of the most renowned bartenders in the world. Visiting Bar Hemingway is not just about the drinks; it is about sitting inside a piece of literary history. Book ahead, dress the part, and order like Papa would.

Little Red Door (Le Marais)

Hidden in the heart of the Marais behind an unassuming red door, this speakeasy has earned international acclaim for a reason. The menu reads like a journey through concepts rather than a list of drinks, and each cocktail is built with precision and inventive technique. My pick was the Analog: complex flavours, seamless finish. Dim light, intimate seating, and staff whose passion you can taste. One of Europe's great cocktail rooms.

Lavomatic (10th arrondissement)

The most fun entrance in Paris: a working laundromat, until you find the hidden door. Inside, Lavomatic is cozy, eclectic, and playful, with cocktails to match; my Bubble Bath arrived fizzing in a bathtub-shaped glass. Nothing here takes itself too seriously, and that is exactly the point. Come with friends, leave smiling.

Drinks & Co (Saint-Germain-des-Prés)

Sleek, contemporary mixology on the Left Bank. The Urban Garden, built on fresh herbs, was beautifully balanced, and the chic room works equally well for a casual evening or a special one. If your night starts in Saint-Germain, start it here.

Kissproof (11th arrondissement)

The newcomer with confidence. Kissproof brings modern style and a lively, diverse crowd to the 11th, with a menu that balances classics and originals. The signature Kissproof Martini puts a clever twist on the tradition. Friendly, energetic, and the right amount of loud: a perfect first stop of the night.

Five bars, five moods: literary grandeur at the Ritz, hidden artistry in the Marais, laundry-room mischief at Lavomatic. Paris does not have one nightlife; it has a wardrobe of them. Choose your evening like you choose your coat.

Exploring more cities? All my guides live in World's Best Bars & Restaurants. And to order like you mean it, learn the language of the back bar in the Whisky Vocabulary. Join the Around The Glass Society; the next city lands in your inbox.