Best bars in Paris

By Eppie Shepherd
Published: July 18, 2024
Paris bars

Paris has long been known for its lengthy list of top restaurants serving bottles of rich French wine. But for a proper night in the city, where do you go? In recent years we’ve seen a boom of rooftop bars, cocktail parlors and champagne clubs serving our favorite tipples. So whether you’re looking for a late-night hangout or creative cocktail menu, take your pick of classic American bars, jazz venues and the best wine bars in Paris.

Our list of the 10 best bars in Paris includes...

  • Buddha Bar
  • The Bar Hemingway
  • Willi’s Wine Bar
  • La Terrasse at Hôtel Raphael
  • And more!

Buddha Bar Paris

The famous Buddha Bar is not exactly understated. Walk in and you’ll be greeted by an eight-meter Buddha followed by rich red interiors and dripping chandeliers. First opened in the 1990s, the Asian-themed institution has kept its style and ‘it crowd’ vibe. The drinks might be pricey but the experience is worth it.

Clown Bar

A bar named after clowns may not sound appealing but this Parisian favorite is less creepy jesters and more fantastic French food and wine. The historic venue was once the former canteen for the 19th-century winter circus, Cirque d’Hiver. Now a natural wine list attracts insiders and those who remember to book ahead.

Harry’s New York Bar

Fans of the Bloody Mary won’t want to miss Harry’s New York Bar, home of the hair of the dog. Since 1911, this legendary Parisian bar opened to comfort homesick Americans and has done so ever since. Now drinkers from every city flock to sip a martini or nibble a hot dog at one of the world’s best bars.

Willi’s Wine Bar

For more than 30 years, Mark Williamson has run the legendary Willi’s Wine Bar on the Rue des Petits Champs. The bright blue entrance leads to a contemporary lit room decorated with Willi’s own recognizable art prints. Run by an Englishman, the bar welcomes locals and tourists to taste excellent wine among good company.

Fréquence

For a French cocktail experience, head to Fréquence, a local hangout that as its names suggests, has many recurring fans. A long counter of soul and reggae vinyls are lined up for playing with a diverse range of cocktails on the menu.

Frenchie Wine Bar - Bar à Vins

Self-described as a place to share, sip, taste, talk, meet and mingle, the Frenchie Wine Bar is not surprisingly full of friends chattering over a few glasses. Head here early (when the bar opens at 6.30PM) to grab a stool and pick from the fantastic wine list. You’ll also want to order a selection of small plates prepared from the open kitchen.

The Bar Hemingway

Bar Hemingway is famous for many things - its lavish location at the Ritz Paris, its award-winning legendary barman Colin Field and of course, its former frequent visitor that gave the bar its name. Taking a seat in one of the bar’s 25 armchairs, you’re immediately transported back to a time of glamor and glitz, where F Scott Fitzgerald and Ernst Hemingway discovered a mutual love for drinking and writing. Choose from over 20 cocktails including Serendipity, Field’s famous creation.

La Terrasse at Hôtel Raphael

In the summer months, Parisians flock to alfresco cafés, picnics by the Seine River and suntrap terraces. To catch rays on a rooftop, La Terrasse is an elegant hangout on the 7th floor of the Hôtel Raphael. The garden terrace bar opens in spring, serving champagne, cocktails and fine wine against a panoramic 360° view over the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Sacré Cœur.

Le Caveau des Oubliettes

Head down into the Parisian catacombs and you’ll find more than skulls and crossbones. The eerie underground tunnels happen to provide a perfect stage for Le Caveau des Oubliettes. The intimate live music bar hosts pop-rock nights, and jazz jam boogaloo on Tuesdays - just watch out for the guillotine and torture instruments!

Le Dokhan’s Bar

With over 240 bottles on the menu, Le Dokhan’s Bar is the place to drink a few glasses of bubbles in Paris. The city’s original Champagne bar is rooted in luxurious tradition, serving the finest bottles available from household names and family estates in the Champagne region. The antique furnishings are a match for the decadent menu where you can pair a Dom Pérignon with a side of caviar.

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Eppie Shepherd
Go City Travel Expert

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Sun sets behind Notre Dame Cathedral
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Is Paris in May a good idea?

Paris is always a good idea. But Paris in May could well be the good idea to end all good ideas. Offering perfect sightseeing weather – sunny skies, almost no rain and very little humidity – Paris in May is a joy to behold. Temperatures which seem to rise by the day trigger a wealth of spring blooms alongside a sense of good cheer that even the surliest of Parisians can’t fail to get caught up in. Weather aside, Paris in May is able to boast a busy calendar of events and lengthening daylight hours in which to enjoy them to their max. Whilst the start of the city’s high season, there’s nowhere near the number of visitors as in July and August. The result? A happy balance between T-shirt wearing weather and entrance line lengths – which can of course be avoided by exploring with Go City! When in Paris... Paris has no fewer than four public holidays scheduled for May: Labor Day (May 1), World War II Victory Day (May 8), Ascension Day (40 days after Easter) and Whit Monday (or Pentecost, 50 days after Easter). Expect some shops and restaurants to be firmly closed for each. It’s best to check in advance though, with the Louvre’s mighty galleries closed on May 1 but open the rest of the month. Other museums may have reduced hours. What does this mean for anyone visiting Paris in May? It means the chance to see the city from the eyes of its residents. Many love nothing more than using their free days to head to the banks of the River Seine or one of the city’s multitude of green spaces. Spots on the Place du Vert Galant at the tip of Notre Dame Cathedral’s Île de la Cité are fiercely fought over because of its views across to the Louvre and the 18th-Century Hôtel de la Monnaie. But there’s no shortage of other potential picnic locations in a city with over 400 parks. 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Sun and sea – of a kind Hitting the sidewalks of the French capital isn’t the only way to discover the city. Visitors have been getting a bird’s eye view from the top of the Eiffel Tower since 1889. But those seeking elevated views of the tower itself can opt for the Ballon de Paris Generali instead. It’s the world’s largest helium-filled balloon. The adventures can continue beneath the waves at the Aquarium de Paris in the Trocadero Gardens opposite the Eiffel Tower. Concentrating on lifeforms found in French waters – which include islands in the Indian Ocean and Caribbean Sea – 60 tanks provide habitats for 7500 individual animals, including 50 sharks and 2500 jellyfish. Night owls will love the fact that the nearby Palais de Tokyo stays open late at least once a week. It’s home to the Paris Museum of Modern Art, one of two major contemporary collections in the city. The Pompidou Center is the other. Sample cordon bleu menus With café and restaurant tables again a firm fixture on the Paris streets after the chill of the winter months, May is also a great time to get to grips with the city’s famed food scene. For a lunch on the go that would make any Parisian proud, look no further than jambon-beurre. A ham sandwich with an added touch of class, both bakeries and cafés prepare this half-baguette containing butter and jambon de Paris ham in vast quantities each day. If you’re after a more leisurely midday meal the croque monsieur may be the answer, sharing many of the main elements of a jambon-beurre but with extra sumptuousness supplied by a béchamel sauce and a light grilling. Your tastebuds also won’t want to miss the Fête de Pain (Bread Festival) the week either side of May 16. An annual celebration of Saint-Honoré, the patron saint of bakers, it has the city’s artisans sharing their skills with the general public. Just add cheese for a perfect bite to eat! Major May events Around the same time, sports fans begin descending on the Bois de Boulogne for the opening rounds of the French Open Glam Slam tennis championships at Roland Garros. However, there are still plenty of other events for those who don’t know their Halep from their Barty or their Federer from their Nadal. The Printemps Des Rues street festival on the Canal Saint-Martin’s Quai de Jemmapes creates a magical atmosphere suitable for all the family. Dance, music and theater all come together for just one weekend to mark the coming of spring to the city’s streets. It’s the upmarket Saint Germain-des-Prés neighborhood that’s the main location for one of the city’s foremost music events – Festival Jazz. Its stages bring together new talent and household names wherever they might be found. There’s always a strong contingent of American musicians, alongside those hailing from as far afield as Cameroon and India. The Villette Sonique Festival at Parc de la Villette sees crowds welcoming not only jazz greats but also rock and post-punk experimental acts. Better still, it’s free to attend many of its outdoor daytime concerts! What to do in Paris in May May in Paris can more than hold its own against the other months of the year. Continuously improving weather, a relaxed holiday atmosphere and brilliant events mean a vacation at this time of year will be remembered for all the right reasons. And whilst Paris in May is the start of peak vacation season, with higher accommodation costs, don’t forget that by traveling with your trusty Go City app to hand you’re going to make substantial savings on admission to many of Paris’s top attractions!
Ian Packham
A couple share a kiss beneath the falling leaves of the Jardin de Luxembourg
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Visiting Paris in September

Paris in September is synonymous with la rentrée – the return of Parisians who have spent the summer on the shores of the French Riviera. For visitors, their return brings an added sense of authenticity to streets still warm enough to want to be out in. Also heralding the beginning of fall, the city’s parks and gardens become a blaze of oranges and reds with the turning of the leaves. But if that wasn’t enough, Paris in September hosts a myriad of events casting a new light over the City of Light. Ready to discover Paris as summer turns to fall? Don’t miss your chance to visit in September! September in Paris Daytime temperatures of over 20°C make getting out and about in Paris a joy in September, with light, quickly moving showers the only fly in the ointment. In short, September is perfect weather for being on the water. Few are able to resist the allure of a River Seine cruise at any time of day, although sunset remains a firm favorite with us. Evening temperatures linger around 13°C, meaning you’ll probably want a sweater to keep the chill at bay. You can also take advantage of the great weather to delve into the side streets of the Montparnasse neighborhood on foot. Lying just a short distance from many of Paris’s world-famous landmarks, the area has long been the bastion of the city’s café culture and intellectual conversation. Notable fans of the area have included Hemingway, Dali and Jean-Paul Sartre, who’s buried in the cemetery which dominates as much as the Tour Montparnasse – the only skyscraper in the Paris city limits. Outdoor adventures Equally impressive are the large-scale sculptures that appear in the La Défense district and the gardens of La Seine Musicale performing arts center at this time of year, creating an outdoor exhibition space with few challengers. When it comes to outdoor public spaces, the Bois de Boulogne is rarely absent from the conversation for long. It’s 2000-plus acres incorporate several individual parks and gardens, as well as September’s Fête à Neuneu. Instigated by no less a figure than Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of France in 1815, it’s a funfair filled to bursting with traditional rides and candy floss stalls. The festivals in fact come thick and fast, with the Fête des Jardins (Garden Festival) weekend hot on its heels. Though lasting just two days, it sees parks across the city holding special events. They include live bands, food stalls and guided tours. All are put together to help visitors get the most out of the city’s 150 public green spaces. Indoor marvels With such an array of history on display, you wouldn’t think Paris would be in need of its European Heritage Days. However, this September weekend grants visitors free access to many of Paris’s museums, alongside attractions usually off-limits to the general public. The Élysée Palace, official residence of the French President, behind the scenes areas of the Paris Metro and Hôtel Drouot – an auction house equivalent to Sotheby’s – have all opened their usually closed doors for previous editions. Attractions reopening their doors – this time after the summer hiatus – are the shows that provide entertainment late into the night, including those of the cabaret clubs of Montmartre and Paris’s two main opera houses, the Palais Garnier and Opera Bastille. Get your lips tingling and toes tapping You certainly don’t have to be an opera buff to enjoy a night out in the French capital. To start with, there is no shortage of rooftop bars, still very much usable spaces thanks to the sunny weather of Paris in September. Combine a little panoramic sightseeing with a classic cocktail at the likes of Bar le Perchoir for views of the Sacré-Coeur and Le Georges atop the Pompidou Center for vistas taking in much of the city from seven stories up. Always a focal point for those of a musical bent, with structures including the Paris Philharmonic Hall and the Zenith and Trabendo live music venues, Parc la Villette takes on extra significance in September when it hosts Jazz à la Villette and the Jazz for Kids mini-festival. EDM lovers are also catered for, with the one-day Techno Parade taking over streets in the heart of Paris. Attracting audiences numbering north of a quarter of a million people, the good-time atmosphere sees DJs play a long list of crowd favorites from decks situated on slowly moving floats. Admire the latest trends One of the most stylish cities around, design can be seen everywhere from the Pompidou Center to the fashion shows of the Galeries Lafayette department store. If a single event brings together that je ne sais quoi of apparently-effortless Paris style it’s the city’s Design Week in the first half of September. Schools, workshops and studios all show off their latest collections in an event that could well see you rubbing shoulders with a buyer from any of Europe’s high-end stores. The end of the month also sees the year’s second installment of Fashion Week, with venues across the city turned over to brands big and small. Landmarks are always keen to get involved with the Paris Autumn Festival too. It begins in September and runs through the rest of the year with dance, variety performances and film screenings all part of the program. Save on September Paris attraction admission Is September a good time to visit Paris? We have little difficulty in saying it is. There’s a huge range of events to look forward to and weather conditions which most parts of the world would die for at the beginning of fall. Whether you plan to spend your days scouring the backstreets of Montmartre or delving headlong into the collections of the Paris museums, exploring with Go City will help you keep costs under control. Our pre-paid passes give those visiting Paris in September substantial savings on admission to a long list of major attractions.
Ian Packham
A couple face the Eiffel Tower in Paris in February
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How to spend an amazing Valentines Day in Paris

If Paris is a day in the year, it’s surely Valentine's Day. Few other cities can match its reputation for romance, with imagery of the Eiffel Tower inevitably tied with thoughts of marriage proposals and romantic candle-lit dinners. Thankfully, Valentine's Day in Paris isn’t all hype over substance – the City of Love hardly ever disappoints. And that’s despite the high expectations of Parisians and visitors alike. But to make the most of the big day, nothing should be left to chance. Follow our guide to what’s hot and what’s not for the perfect way to spend La Saint Valentin. Morning There’s probably no better way to start Valentine's Day in Paris than by waking up next to your significant other. Treat them to one of Paris’s top hotels, and you’ve also got the possibility of admirable views across the city, and maybe even the Eiffel Tower, once the lazy February dawn has roused itself into being. Cement your union in the most modern – and Instagrammable – of ways, by taking a selfie beside the millions of padlocks that have been attached to the Pont des Arts. Otherwise known as ‘love lock bridge’, it’s an act few can resist. You’re now well located to marvel at the marble statuary forming a key component of the collection of the Louvre, or better yet, take in the bridges of Paris from an alternative view by joining a romantic Seine cruise with Bateaux Parisiens. Lunchtime hours Such a trip will put you in prime position to scale the Eiffel Tower. Climbing its 674 steps to the second stage is sure to generate the appetite you’ll need to fully enjoy the Michelin-starred cuisine at Restaurant Jules Verne. Alternatively, keep your powder dry for the top, where the views extend for miles and a champagne bar does a brisk trade. If you’d rather save Paris’s ‘Iron Lady’ for sunset, head straight to Montmartre. Views from the Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur may play second fiddle to those from the top of the Eiffel Tower, but as the highest natural point in the city, they are still sublime. What’s more, as Paris’s traditional enclave of artists and bohemians, romance seems to seep from every cobblestone lane, as you’ll discover on any walk around Montmartre. Stop by the 612 individual blue tiles of Le Mur des Je t’aime (the Wall of I Love Yous) or catch a classic Hollywood love story at a matinee screening at Pathé Wepler movie theater. Afternoon Drifting south and east, make your way towards a museum like no other in Paris – the Gourmet Chocolate Museum Choco-Story. As you might expect from a museum dedicated to the world of all things chocolate, there’s plenty of opportunities to sample what you see being made before your very eyes. Then make a date with the city’s artistic institutions. Wander through the elegant side streets of the second arrondissement and it won’t be long until you find yourself face to face with the 16th-Century exterior of the Louvre, possibly the world’s most famous gallery. The 35,000 objects on display include the unmissable Venus de Milo. If you ticked this off earlier on in the day, you can instead swing by the Place de la Concorde on route to the Rodin Museum. Not only can you take in The Kiss here, but enjoy time in the tranquil and extensive gardens which envelop it. Early evening Any restaurant with even the slightest chance of an Eiffel Tower view is sure to be booked up months ahead of time in Paris on Valentine's Day. However, Paris has such a reputation for romance, you probably won’t need any help from the ‘Iron Lady’ to maintain the mood. With most Parisians opting to dine between 8PM and 11PM, you’ve got the chance to sneak in for an early feast should you choose, although the atmosphere may be a little lacking at this time of the evening. You might prefer to spend the earlier part of the evening with a daiquiri at Bar Hemingway at the Ritz, or with a sidecar at Harry’s New York Bar. Laying its claim to being the oldest cocktail bar in Europe, there’s an atmospheric piano bar in the basement. But if speakeasy-style bars are somehow not your forte, another option with plenty of romance attached would be a snuggle up together beneath a blanket as you tour Paris by horse and cart to see its landmarks lit up after dark. Late evening No blankets are needed for nights at the Moulin Rouge and the other well-known cabaret club names back in Montmartre. An extraordinary display of talent at any time of year, these clubs go all out on Valentine's Day. They put on special nights incorporating all the glitz and glamor you would expect, alongside a fine dining experience, tinkling champagne glasses and the chance to slow dance on their hallowed stages between courses. In addition, the opera houses of Paris are also at full strength on Valentine's Day. So why not dress up in all your finery and experience the magnificent tones of its opera stars or prima ballerinas, two artforms where the meaning is transmitted through the emotion rather than the language? Here’s to a successful Valentine's Day in Paris! Spending February 14 in Paris can create a huge amount of expectation. After all, it’s the most romantic day of the year in the most romantic city in the world. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in the City of Love for Valentine's Day, you’re sure to want to make an extra special effort for your partner in crime. But that doesn’t have to mean splashing the cash unnecessarily. Spend your money on what matters by saving on admission to many of Paris’s top attractions. Explore with Go City and you can do just that, without losing any of the flexibility you’ll want for those lingering romantic walks or café visits.
Ian Packham

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