Bars and nightlife in Paris

Where to Drink and Dance Like a Local in Paris

New York may be the city that never sleeps, but Paris does not stop, either. From aperitivo to late-night dancing and drinks, the city always has something going on. Whether you want an upscale cocktail lounge, laid-back wine bar, or full-out cabaret, you'll find plenty of places to cross off your list while in Paris.

Lane Nieset

27 May 2023

Paris is a city that has entire neighborhoods revolving around nightlife. Take the gay-friendly quartier of Le Marais, the natural wine hub of the 11th arrondissement, or the notoriously raunchy (read: Paris' red-light district) of Pigalle, where you're as likely to find a drag show or cabaret as a mixology-driven craft cocktail bar With its history of jazz clubs and musicians like Serge Gainsbourg, you can catch big and small acts at live music joints in neighborhoods like Pigalle and Belleville. The city has long been a place for wine lovers, with plenty of bars à vins and caves à manger in every neighborhood, but over the past decade or so, the cocktail culture has grown and matured—it's now leveling up to cities like London and Singapore. But part of Paris' charm is its terraces, where tourists and locals post up for lunch, pre-dinner drinks and snacks, or linger throughout the evening people-watching and sipping carafes of house wine.

Folderol

Not many spots in town can claim to be a caviste-glacier, but the couple behind neighboring Michelin-starred Rigmarole have mastered the concept of a natural wine bar that specializes in homemade ice cream. Check what’s written on the mirror by the bar to see the flavors du jour, which could be anything from classic chocolate or mint chocolate chip to cold brew or cardamom. Take your pick of a homemade cone or silver coupe and squeeze your way into a seat by the bar. Sundays are particularly packed, so expect to wait in line and, if the weather is nice, sip your wine outside. The crowd has a hipster, Brooklyn-like feel, so the people-watching is just as interesting as the flavors of ice cream.

Address: 10 rue du Grand-Prieuré, 75011 Paris

Candelaria

Start with tacos at the Mexican taqueria in front before pushing through the service door leading to the speakeasy cocktail lounge in the back. Open daily until 2 am, the no-reservations bar fills up fast, so if you want to ensure a seat, arrive on the earlier side. Rated one of The World’s 50 Best Bars, the changing cocktail menu is one the more creative side, pulling inspiration—and bartenders—from happening cocktail scenes in Mexico City or London. Sip unexpected mixtures of flavors like pickled ginger tequila with fermented raspberry and lime or chili mezcal with tamarind and roasted pineapple. It gets warm inside, so go light on the layers.

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Address: 52 rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris

Dirty Dick

The tropical cocktail bar and tiki room are known for specialties like the Guadeloupe frappé, a frozen twist on Ti Punch. Mixes for the 10 cocktails on the menu are crafted in-house and flaming drinks are dramatically served in tiki-style ceramic glasses. The bar—which is open until 3 am on weekends—takes its tropical, Polynesian theme seriously, with palm tree-lined wallpaper and ceiling-high carved tikis. Despite being a late-night haunt in Pigalle, the former sex club-turn-cocktail-bar is the brainchild of a California expat who wanted the spot to be the epitome of escapism—which is why everyone tends to gather here after dinner.

Address: 10 rue Frochot, 75009 Paris

Little Red Door

Designed as a speakeasy, the signless venue is marked instead by the namesake little red door. A fixture on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, the cocktail bar designs its drinks, so they’re farm to glass, working with French producers to source homemade products that are the base of the cocktails (think chamomile or carrot). The space is on the smaller side and fills up fast, so reserve or come when Little Red Door opens so you won’t be stuck waiting too long in the line outside. Menus also include non-alcoholic versions of the drinks that are just as playful.

Address: 60 Rue Charlot, 75003 Paris

Le Syndicat

Tucked along the gritty rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, Le Syndicat has a dive bar feel yet crafts sophisticated cocktails focusing solely on French spirits—so expect small batches and small producers. Expect to hear a lot of hip-hop throughout the evening as you sip on drinks so good, they’ve earned the spot a regular ranking on the world’s 50 Best Bars list.

Address: 51 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris

NO.PI

Named after the North Pigalle neighborhood’s nickname, NO.PI takes a cue from the jazz clubs of 1950s New York—but the live music veers in a variety of directions, from rock and pop to hip-hop and soul. Snackable food includes pizza, corn dogs, fried chicken, and pastrami rueben sandwiches, and you’ll find a mix of classic cocktails (Dark and Stormy, Singapore Sling) plus fun plays on drinks like the Dark Old Fashioned with mezcal and Benedictine. This is a spot people of all ages come out to dance.

Address: 3 Place de Clichy, 75008 Paris

Sister Midnight

Be Careful of your Belongings

In bars where you're standing or watching a concert, keep an eye on your belongings in case there are any pickpockets.

Taking its name from the Iggy Pop and David Bowie hit, Sister Midnight in Pigalle is an ode to glam rock and has become a neighborhood fave for its weekend drag, burlesque, and cabaret shows. From the same team behind American bar-cantina Red House, this hallway-sized space slings seasonal cocktails and specialty craft beer and bar snacks like terrine and bread with tomato chutney. If you’re coming to catch a show, arrive early—this small space gets super packed.

Address: 4 Rue Viollet-le-Duc, 75009 Paris

Le Mary Celeste

This is one of my favorites in the Marais—I’ve brought everyone from friends visiting Paris to dates. The vibe is casual and the food is creative without being too fussed up.

With nonstop service on weekends, Le Mary Celeste in the Marais is a go-to for its oysters, tapas, and whimsical craft cocktails. You’ll see a nice mix of locals and visitors, giving it a true neighborhood feel. Small plates switch out seasonally, but you’ll always find the signature œufs du diable, deviled eggs topped with pickled onions and puffed rice. Wines champion vignerons on the natural side and cocktails play on spirits and fortified wines like calvados, shōchū, and manzanilla. If you’re shopping in the Marais, this is a good spot to stop for lunch since it’s usually less crowded.

Address: 1 Rue Commines, 75003 Paris

Bar Hemingway

Nightlife Dresscode

Unless you're going to an upscale spot like Harry's Bar or a five-star hotel bar like Hemingway at The Ritz, you can dress on the casual side and skip the heels. If you want to dress like a local, style is often about comfort—think loafers, boots, and platform sneakers.

A legend in Paris, Bar Hemingway at the Ritz is one spot worth splurging on upscale cocktails. Intended to feel like a members’ club, the 25-seat bar, with its leather armchairs and Ernest Hemingway memorabilia, is one both locals and visitors gravitate toward. Bartender Colin Field has played a key role in making this bar a staple on the city’s bar scene, and not only will he whip up classic cocktails to perfection, but he’s also a master of bar banter, so you’ll hardly realize there’s no background music playing.

Address: 15 place Vendôme, 75001 Paris

Chez Stina

The team behind Belleville bistro Coup de Tête has opened up the natural wine-focused bar Chez Stina, named after the Swiss co-owner and wine director. Set in the trendy 11th arrondissement, the cave à manger and wine cellar pays homage to Stina’s heritage with raclette dominating the menu of small plates, plus a few other Mediterranean-style starters like hummus that nod to the fare found at Coup de Tête.

Address: 117 Rue de la Roquette, 75011 Paris

About the author

Lane NiesetFrom the moment she first studied abroad in Paris as a young French major, Lane was determined to make the capital her home. After graduating with a dual degree in Magazine Journalism and French from the University of Florida, Lane worked as a travel journalist in Miami before making her way to Nice, France, where she lived for nearly 5 years before finally making the big move north to Paris. She has spent the past decade covering travel, food and wine for a variety of international publications.