Cocktails are a whole thing here in Paris right now. There’s something for everyone, from the dark and moody to the pink and fruity. Whatever they’re mixing up, it’s sure to be memorable before it’s potentially forgettable. (Before we hit, ‘publish’, let’s be sure to add in a ‘Shaken and Not Stirred’ joke here, those are always fun…)

Sister Midnight
Leopard prints, leather mini skirts, edible glitter, Iggy Pop blasting through the speakers, drag queen shows — all that in the small small glam rock cocktail bar in the middle of kinda-naughty Pigalle quarter. Fair warning — there might be no space between you and the frilly ladyboys working it like homoerotic ballerinas but nearly getting kicked in the face by a drag goddess bedazzled with genuine chinese crystals is part of the charm. So take your inner Freddie Mercury and ride your bicycle (or maybe better take a taxi because the cocktails here are so good they’re almost daring you to stop after just one (and you lose absolutely every time)
ADDRESS: 25, Rue Pierre Fontaine (9th arr.)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Pigalle
METRO: Pigalle (line 2, 12)
HOW TO BOOK: online
SEXY FACTOR: who doesn’t like a drag queen (rhetorical) 10/10 but campy
NUMBER: +33 6 74 39 32 20
DEETS: friendly neighborhood drag queen bar, shows friday and saturday, glam rock vibe
INSTAGRAM: @sistermidnightparis

Abricot
This is more than just a peachy (couldn’t stop myself) place with cute interior and delicious cocktails. This is a safe, inclusive space for those nights out when the girls (or gays, or theys, or any other nice people) just wanna have fun. Their menu is fully plant-based, so no worries for those of you searching for some vegan-friendly places as well. Still not enough? They also have some fabulous events going on, with concerts and workshops available few times a week.
All in all, if you find yourself around the Belleville area (which you absolutely should, since it’s super cool, by the way), give those gals a visit.
ADDRESS: 189 Rue Saint-Maur (10th arr.)
MÉTRO: Bellevill (lines 2, 11) or Goncourt (line 11)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Belleville
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 40 27 82 85
DEETS: cocktail, plant-based, woman-owned
INSTAGRAM: @abricotbar

Bisou.
No need for menus. This fun little cocktail bar is curated for you, your tastes, preferences, and current mood. They use seasonal ingredients to bring you a definitely-off-the-menu drink for a truly one of a kind experience. And as you sip, you can rest easily knowing they’re environmentally conscious, utilizing every last part of the local produce they use and having abandoned the plastic straw long ago. We just give adjectives as the order. Last time it was ‘arrogance,’ and our cocktail had gold flakes on it. Oui.
ADDRESS: 15 Boulevard du Temple (3rd arr.)
MÉTRO: Filles du Calvaire (line 8)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Haut Marais
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 40 27 82 85
DEETS: cocktail, zero waste, experiential
INSTAGRAM: @bar_bisou

L’Officine du Louvre
Sittin’ pretty right in the luxe Hôtel du Louvre, this classy cocktail bar will be a quiet sanctuary in the neighborhood near the Louvre (as with any major world monument, full of ~avoidable~ places to open one’s mouth.) As a tribute to Napoleon III and his passion for botany, L’officine’s cocktails (as well as classic, but far from basic bar snacks) include a variety of herbs, plants and roots — creating mixes that will take you right through that beautiful period glass roof. Not in the mood for drinking/are Muslim/pregnant/a pregnant Muslim? They offer a variety of mocktails, as well as everyday tea time pause and fancy brunch on the weekends. Ok, it’s a hotel bar and we normally avoid these in favor of the neighborhood hustlas’ but the cocktails were BEYOND here. Some of the best. But yeah, lawyers after work and shit because hotel bar.
ADDRESS: 1 Pl. André Malraux (1st arr.)
MÉTRO: Louvre-Rivoli (line 1)
NEIGHBORHOOD:Louvre / Rivoli / Tuileries
DRINKS: €€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 1 44 58 37 21
DEETS: cocktail bar, fancy, herbology vibe
INSTAGRAM: @hoteldulouvre

Mistinguett
Newly opened in the Casino of Paris building, the restaurant and cocktail bar Mistinguett is a tribute to an amazing actress and singer, who, just happened to start her career in ~this very building~, before becoming, at some point, the highest-paid female entertainer in the world (not to mention the most popular French entertainer of both sexes). She’s also known from being the first one to sing the classic known as « My Man » (sorry, Barbra Streisand) as well as from insuring her legs for a small fortune (you may need one as well if you’re wearing heels, as the cocktails are just too good to *not* asking the barman to keep them coming).
ADDRESS: 16 Rue de Clichy (9th arr.)
MÉTRO: Liége (line 13) or Trinité – d’Estienne d’Orves (line 12)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Pigalle
PRICE: €€€€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 1 48 74 85 41
DEETS: casino, lunch, apero, dinner, cocktail bar, posh, old school cool, new
INSTAGRAM: @mistinguettparis

Le Très Particulier
With the largest hotel garden in the capital, le Trés Particulier seduces you with refreshing, next-gen cocktails and luxurious bubbly in one of our never-gets-old, favorite surroundings. (It feels private somehow, like you aren’t jammed up too close to the next table. We appreciate that.) Along with the hotel’s restaurant, Le Grand Salon, the space feels sophisticated with in-your-face (merci) flower bouquets and soft lighting. The black and white checkered flooring and red velvet chairs sit under a canopy of greenery, transporting you into another time. But first you have to win their esteem by getting past the intercom-doorman and gaining entry, giving the place a somewhat ‘speakeasy’ vibe — and keeping your shrinks in business as you can scratch your ‘pick-me’ itch for the price of a few cocktails, which are always cheaper than a session with your urbane, English-speaking, therapist. So get your alter-ego ready for the ‘who dis?’ response on the other end of the line. (Personally, EIC Kat Walker goes with an obscure world political figure because she dropped out of uni and never quite got over an ex telling her, ‘Well, what if I AM smarter than you?)
ADDRESS: 23 Avenue Junot Pavillon D (18th arr.)
MÉTRO: Lamarck — Caulaincourt (line 12)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Montmartre
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 1 53 41 81 40
DEETS: bistronomic restaurant, luxury, cocktail bar, hotel bar
INSTAGRAM: @hotelparticuliermontmartre

Combat
Combat is a local cocktail bar in the Belleville ‘hood (like one of the 23 ‘Brooklyns of Paris’ )with a stylish interior and fun atmosphere. With continually changing cocktails, you are sure to experience something new and equally delicious with every round.
Why name a bar, ‘Combat’? The neighborhood was once the site of cock and other animal fights, earning it its name. Gross but long time ago, so no need to feel anything but superiority for finding it AND knowing the reason the micro-neighborhood is called Combat (its one of those ‘the neighbors never once said ‘I live in Combat’ and also never looked at the wikipedia so you can surprise the French here’ flexes…)
ADDRESS: 63 Rue de Belleville (19th arr.)
MÉTRO: Pyrénées (line 11)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Place Sainte-Marthe / Combat
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 9 80 84 78 60
DEETS: cocktail bar
INSTAGRAM: combat.belleville

Cheper
In the beating heart of the Marais historic district, the former Mont de Piété auction room has been refashioned into a chic restaurant and bar. Topped by a glass dome and surrounded by tall greenery, the bar feels cozy yet open; sassy yet classy.
ADDRESS: 53 bis rue des Francs Bourgeois (4th arr.)
MÉTRO: Rambuteau (line 11)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Le Marais
PRICE: €€€
DEETS: cocktails, restaurant and bar

House Garden
With its exposed stone walls, dark stained wood pallet bar, and hanging greenery, this cocktail bar feels like a little indoor garden. The specialty cocktails boast un jardin of garnishing and the food is light and fresh. It’s a friendly atmosphere that’s great for a couple’s outing or a small group get together.
ADDRESS: 8 Rue Richard Lenoir (11th arr.)
MÉTRO: Charonne (line 9)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Bastille / Arsenal / Roquette
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 7 68 06 28 23
DEETS: cocktail bar
INSTAGRAM: @housegardenparis

Jefrey’s
Located in the Montorgueil district, Jefrey’s is what one would expect from a classic whiskey bar: a dark and moody ambiance with warm lighting. They expertly execute the classics while also mixing a variety of their own creative cocktails.
ADDRESS: 14 Rue Saint-Sauveur (2nd arr.)
MÉTRO: Réaumur-Sébastopol (lines 3, 4)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Sentier / Covered Passages / Bourse
PRICE: €€€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations (expect a wait)
NUMBER: +33 1 42 33 60 77
DEETS: cocktail bar, whiskey bar, dark and moody

The 46 Bar
Located in the 10th arrondissement, The 46 Bar gives off a New York aesthetic: it’s both chic and warm, and even has a hotdog on the menu. Boasting plates of Iberian tapas and vegetable spreads, this bar uses seasonal products to create its food and drink menus.
ADDRESS: 46 Rue René Boulanger (10th arr.)
MÉTRO: Jacques Bonsergent (line 5)
NEIGHBORHOOD: République
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER:+33 09 51 26 29 12
DEETS: cocktail bar, tapas

FiftyFifty
Eco-friendly and chic, FiftyFifty has a small selection of tapas that pair nicely with their intricate drinks. They have a bottle deposit system that encourages you to bring back bottles for reuse or recycling, and if you ~must~ return, it doesn’t hurt to sip another drink.
ADDRESS: 74 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud (11th arr.)
MÉTRO: Parmentier (line 3) or Couronnes (line 2)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Oberkampf/Folie-Méricourt
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 6 20 62 75 02
DEETS: cocktail bar, tapas, eco-friendly
INSTAGRAM: @fiftyfiftyparis

Rosebud
Located in Montparnasse, Rosebud is known for jazzy music and old Parisian bistro flair that makes the local artists flock. It’s not uncommon to spot celebrities every once in a while who come to enjoy the cozy, lowkey atmosphere and impressive cocktail menu. It’s a place to relax and contemplate rather than drink boisterously.
ADDRESS: 11 Rue Delambre (14th arr.)
MÉTRO: Vavin (line 4)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Montparnasse
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 43 35 38 54
DEETS: cocktail bar, bistro, low-key vibes
INSTAGRAM: @Rosebud_cocktail_bar

Experimental Cocktail Club
A creative cocktail bar that uses hard to find and vintage ingredients from France. It’s a great place for a night with a few friends in a comfortable atmosphere. With dark paneling and dim lighting from beautiful chandeliers, it’s a moody bar boasting friendly service.
ADDRESS: 37 Rue Saint-Sauveur (2nd arr.)
MÉTRO: Réaumur-Sébastopol (lines 3, 4)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Sentier / Covered Passages / Bourse
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 45 08 88 09
DEETS: cocktail bar, experimental, vintage, moody
INSTAGRAM: @experimentalcocktailclub

La Résistance
Born from the continual change of Parisian neighborhoods, this cocktail bar mixes up delicious drinks with exclusive flavors. With a roaring 20s atmosphere and live music, come in and pair a drink with a sweet and savory creation by their Pastry Chef David Varnier.
ADDRESS: 16 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie (4th arr.)
MÉTRO: Hôtel de Ville (lines 1, 11)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Le Marais
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 9 67 59 14 88
DEETS: cocktail bar, live music
INSTAGRAM: @resistancemarais

Prescription Cocktail Club
If your doctor prescribed a good night out, look to the left bank where this chic cocktail bar is located. They boast innovative house drinks while still making the classics proud. The moody lighting and a darker ambiance lends to its stylish, speakeasy aesthetic.
ADDRESS: 23 rue Mazarine (6th arr.)
MÉTRO: Odéon (lines 4, 10)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Saint-Germain-des-Prés
PRICE: €€€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 46 34 67 73
DEETS: speakeasy, cocktail bar
INSTAGRAM: @prescriptioncocktailclubparis

Pamela Popo
A retro-chic restaurant nestled in the 4th arrondissement, they have many options for food and drink. You’ll be mesmerized by their vintage flower wallpaper, quirky light fixtures, and stacked floor to ceiling bookshelves. It’s intimate and delicious, the best pairing for a cozy couple’s night out.

Little Red Door
Behind a little red door is a less little, but still kind of little, moody cocktail bar. It’s cozy and inviting, serving drinks mixed perfectly with science, art, and flavor perception in mind. The exposed brick wall gives it charm, the original menu is playful and creative, and it was named one of the top 50 bars in the world.
ADDRESS: 60 Rue Charlot (3rd arr.)
MÉTRO: Filles du Calvaire (line 8)
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: -
DEETS: cocktail bar, speakeasy
INSTAGRAM: @littlereddoorparis

Bluebird
A prime location for gin and soul music enthusiasts, this cocktail bar has 60’s vibes for days. It’s a place for lighthearted fun and yummy house cocktails. For warmer days, the outdoor tables are perfect for people watching while the bar top at night is a great place to mingle and meet new people. Plus, they have an aquarium. It’s a win-win.
ADDRESS: 12 Rue Saint-Bernard (11th arr.)
MÉTRO: Faidherbe — Chaligny (line 8)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Faidherbe/Charonne/Aligre
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: tbd
DEETS: cocktail bar, 60s vibes
INSTAGRAM: @bluebird.paris

Le Carmen
Classic and ornate, Le Carmen boasts chandeliers, crown molding, and the humble marble statue. However, it’s anything but demure. It’s high-society meets inner rebel, a place for the IT youth. They produce their own gin and aren’t afraid to play into their gilded Paris aesthetic.
ADDRESS: 34 Rue Duperré (9th arr.)
MÉTRO: Blanche (line 2)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Pigalle
PRICE: €€€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 1 45 26 50 00
DEETS: cocktail bar, IT girl vibes, party, private club
INSTAGRAM: @lecarmen_paris

Le Perchoir Ménilmontant
From the seventh floor terrace, you can see the Sacré-Coeur as you sip your cocktail. The wooden tables and cushioned benches lend to an artistic ambiance, and the music makes for a festive energy perfect for dancing. And when the pre-dinner drinks have been sipped to completion, the floor below hosts La Table which has la delicious food and an even more extensive beverage selection.
ADDRESS: 14 rue Crespin du Gast (11th arr.)
MÉTRO: Ménilmontant (line 2)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Oberkampf/Folie-Méricourt
PRICE: €€€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: tbd
DEETS: rooftop bar and restaurant, cocktail bar
INSTAGRAM: @leperchoir

Le Fumoir
Some cocktails are more fruit than liquid here and we’re okay with that. And with a bar top teaming with history (hint: from Philly’s prohibition days), they mix drinks with East Coast tradition and an added Parisian flair. Working with local producers, they switch up their Scandinavian influenced menu weekly and offer brunch (yay!) on Sundays.
ADDRESS: 6 Rue de l’Amiral de Coligny (1st arr.)
MÉTRO: Louvre-Rivoli (line 1)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Louvre / Rivoli / Tuileries
DRINKS: €€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 1 42 92 00 24
DEETS: French restaurant, cocktail bar, Scandinavian cuisine
INSTAGRAM: @lefumoirparis

La Caravane
Boasting a fully satisfying organic wine list, as well as cocktails and artisanal beers, La Caravane is a lively restaurant and bar. Their chef cooks homely cuisine inspired by popular and family dishes from different countries. From the terrace to the rentable gilou, there’s a space for any type of event or small gathering.
ADDRESS: 35 Rue de la Fontaine au Roi (11th arr.)
MÉTRO: Goncourt (line 11)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Oberkampf / Folie-Méricourt
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 49 23 01 86
DEETS: cocktail bar, wine cellar, tapas
INSTAGRAM: @lacaravaneparis

La Loutre Bar
With a cozy atmosphere, long light wooden benches, and low tables, La Loutre is the third installment of a trio of cocktail bars by Animaux Bars. They lean into the marine aesthetic with otter wallpaper (cute!), pink tiling, and a navy blue ceiling. Here you can pair house cocktails with their mediterranean tapas as you sit outside on the terrace under the Parisian sun. And if you are rolling deep with your posse (and you can all agree on what to drink, at least for one round), they offer their cocktails by the liter for 42€.
ADDRESS: 46 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud (11th arr.)
MÉTRO: Parmentier (line 3)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Oberkampf/Folie-Méricourt
DRINKS: €€
HOW TO BOOK: (for parties more than 8) online
NUMBER: +33 1 48 06 05 36
DEETS: cocktail bar, tapas, Mediterranean, terrace
INSTAGRAM: @animauxbars

L’herbarium
Located in the 3rd arrondissement, L’herbarium is a roof-top bar at L’hôtel National des Arts et Métiers. With superb views of Paris, the terrace bar is a great place to enjoy an afternoon drink with friends or just take in the scene and relax. If you wish to remain indoors, the cocktail bar also boasts a luxurious indoor space.
ADDRESS: 243 Rue Saint-Martin (3rd arr.)
MÉTRO: Réaumur-Sébastopol (lines 3, 4)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Haut Marais
DRINKS: €€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: + 33 1 80 97 22 80
DEETS: cocktail bar, hotel bar, terrace

Le Renard Bar
Opened in 2017, La Renard is a foxy cocktail bar located in the 10th arrondissement. With deep blue-green walls and a lively bartending staff, they serve simple and fresh Mediterranean tapas along with nine delicious signature cocktails. Of course, they can still mix up all your favorite classics.
ADDRESS: 38 Rue de Sambre-et-Meuse (10th arr.)
MÉTRO: Belleville (lines 2, 11)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Belleville
DRINKS: €
HOW TO BOOK: (for parties more than 10) online
NUMBER: +33 1 53 20 07 33
DEETS: cocktail bar, tapas, Mediterranean
INSTAGRAM: @animauxbars

Dirty Lemon
Located in the 11th arrondissement, Dirty Lemon is modern and chic. The bar is female-owned and open to all; serving up boozy brunches every day. Exposed stone walls compliment the minimalist white walls and marble bar top creating an inviting and hip atmosphere.
ADDRESS: 24 Rue de la Folie Méricourt (11th arr.)
MÉTRO: Saint-Ambroise (line 9)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Oberkampf/Folie-Méricourt
PRICE: €
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 43 38 77 02
DEETS: cocktail bar, LGBTQ friendly, brunch
INSTAGRAM: @dirtylemon.bar

L’ours Bar
Located in the heart of the 10th arrondissement, L’ours Bar is a relaxation cocktail bar. It’s intimate and cozy with dim lighting, exposed stone walls, and raw wooden bar tops. With a menu that changes every six months, there is often something new to try and their cocktails are sure to satisfy all palates.
ADDRESS: 8 Rue de Paradis (10th arr.)
MÉTRO: Château d’Eau (line 4)
NEIGHBORHOOD: St. Denis / St. Martin / Poissonnière / Paradis
PRICE: €
HOW TO BOOK: (for parties more than 15) online
NUMBER: +33 1 45 23 40 06
DEETS: cocktail bar, tapas, Mediterranean
INSTAGRAM: @animauxbars

Cravan
This tiny café-bar is marked by a red exterior in the 16th arrondissement, but don’t let the quaint exterior fool you. Cravan was named by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the best new bars in the world (2020). Inside the bar feels delicate and modern and you are sure to discover a delicious cocktail and glass of wine.
ADDRESS: 17 Rue Jean de la Fontaine (16th arr.)
MÉTRO: Jasmin (line 9)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Passy / La Muette
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: tbd
DEETS: cocktail bar, café-bar, low-key
INSTAGRAM: @cravanparis

Castor Club
Hidden behind a discreet storefront, Castor Club has a retro-chic charm anyone can fall in love with. Made entirely of wood, the bar has British accents reminiscent of a gentlemen’s club, and if you feel like dancing, head to the basement where there’s always an assortment of 50s, 60s, and 70s music playing.
ADDRESS: 14 Rue Hautefeuille (6th arr.)
MÉTRO: Odéon (lines 4, 10)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Jardin du Luxembourg/Odéon
PRICE: €€€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 9 50 64 99 38
DEETS: cocktail bar, hidden bar, dancing

Harry’s New York Bar
Hailed for creating the Bloody Mary (praising their genius!) and French 75, Harry’s New York Bar is said to be the oldest cocktail bar in Europe (it opened in 1911). With dark wood and dim lighting, the walls are covered in photos, plaques, and an array of other decorations. It’s very old, very famous, and they can mix up some very delicious drinks.
ADDRESS: 5 Rue Daunou (2nd arr.)
MÉTRO: Opéra (lines 3, 7, 8)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Sentier / Covered Passages / Bourse
PRICE: €€€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 42 61 71 14
DEETS: cocktail bar, dark and moody, whiskey bar
INSTAGRAM: @harrysbar_theoriginal

Roxo at Les Bains
Open from Thursday to Saturday, Roxo Bar at five star hotel Les Bains delivers timeless classics and creative house specialties. With a shiny red ceiling and checkered floors, the bar is retro-classic and classy whether you sit in a leather booth or at the bar top.

La Poudrière
Located in the eclectic and hip 11th arrondissement, this cozy cocktail bar does more than masterfully shake your poison of choice: They do cabaret nights and DJ sets.
ADDRESS: 41 Rue Servan (11th arr.)
MÉTRO: Père Lachaise (lines 2, 3), Voltaire or Saint-Ambroise (line 9)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Oberkampf/Folie-Méricourt
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 9 74 73 56 32
DEETS: cocktail bar, DJs, cabaret