What’s the polar opposite of a Dive Bar…? These bars have a certain je ne sais quoi that takes sipping wine and poshAF cocktails to an exquisite level. These Paris bars have rarefied ambiance.
If you have to ask…

Bar 1920
As a part of the luxurious Prince de Galles hotel, Bar 1920 is intimate and exclusive. Here you can enjoy Champagne and wines as well as unique craft cocktails alongside a delicious selection of savory bites. With an extensive menu, it’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as Sunday brunch You probably won’t do cocktails at breakfast but then again, this is vacation, non? The Bar 1920 also offers a particularly impressive menu of locally produced cognac for your sipping pleasure.
ADDRESS: 33 avenue George V (8th arr.)
MÉTRO: George V (line 1) or Alma-Marceau (line 9)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Concorde / Champs-Elysées / Arc de Triomphe
PRICE: €€€€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER:+33 1 53 23 77 77
DEETS: cocktail, luxury, hotel bar, culinary souvenir, dress to impress
INSTAGRAM: @19.20.paris

Le Bar Bibliothèque at Hotel St. James
Built in the 19th century, Hotel St. James in a magnificent neoclassical residence (aka mansion). In all its splendor, the library-bar serves unique cocktails and classics whipped up just so, while the restaurant serves up au courant French cuisine on the terrace or in the classy dining room.
ADDRESS: 5 Place du Chancelier Adenauer (16th arr.)
MÉTRO: Victor Hugo (line 2)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Passy
PRICE: €€€€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 1 44 05 81 81
DEETS: hotel bar, library-bar, cocktail bar, gourmet restaurant, terrace, dress to impress
INSTAGRAM: @saintjamesparis

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
PRICE: €€€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 1 80 97 22 80
DEETS: cocktail bar, hotel bar, terrace

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: Opéra
PRICE: €€€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 1 45 26 50 00
DEETS: cocktail bar, party, private club, dress to impress
INSTAGRAM: @lecarmen_paris

Grand Pigalle Hôtel Bar
The Frenchie Pigalle cuisine is inspired by international travel and seasonal products and prepared masterfully by one-Michelin-starred chef, Gregory Marchand. The restaurant and bar has a relaxed atmosphere with its earth tones, natural lighting, and clean, minimalist features.
ADDRESS: 29 Rue Victor Massé (9th arr.)
MÉTRO: Pigalle (lines 2, 12)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Opéra
PRICE: €€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 1 40 39 96 19
DEETS: French cuisine, hotel bar, gourmet, cocktails, luxury, cool kids hangout
INSTAGRAM: @grandpigallehotel

Le Très Particulier
With the largest hotel garden in the capital, Trés Particulier slings refreshing cocktails and luxurious bubbly with panache. For cocktails, the inside is where it’s at…Along with the hotel’s restaurant, Le Grand Salon, the sophisticated space is dressed up in flourishing flower bouquets, and a chic — but not snobby — vibe. The black and white checkered flooring and red velvet chairs sit under a canopy of greenery, transporting you into another time. And it’s fun to get past their intercom-doorman system. You ring, they ask who you are and what you want. I always say I’m either Barack Obama or Nicolas Sarkozy and they let me in every time as it’s a formality. Ding dong drink!
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

Bar 228 at Le Meurice
With nightly live jazz, Bar 228 is a place to settle down in its deep leather armchairs with a glass of wine in hand. It is a discreet, moody bar with an exquisite cocktail menu. Its beautiful mural is framed by dark wood and warm lighting, and the Carrera marble bar beckons you to run your finger across it in some kind of seduction pantomime that everyone should try once. (Except maybe straight men, I can’t see that landing right. Everyone else go ahead and we’ll find something for the straight boys.) As Bar 228 is in one of Paris’ très posh ’ palace’ hotels, dress to impress. Maybe you’ll bump into Beyonce. (Blue Ivy was allegedly conceived here. That’s either TMI or interesting trivia depending on where you land on the pop culture consumer spectrum but there you have it.) This bar is in the mood for love…
ADDRESS: 228 Rue de Rivoli (1st arr.)
MÉTRO: Pyramids (lines 7, 14)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Louvre
PRICE: €€€€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 44 58 10 10
DEETS: hotel bar, luxury, dark and moody
INSTAGRAM: @lemeuriceparis

Bar Hemingway at The Ritz
Named after the famous writer who was a regular, Bar Hemingway is a small (only 25 seats!) bar in the Hotel Ritz. It’s intimate and cozy with dark wood and warm lighting. Framed photos of the famous hang on the walls and the tan leather corner booth is particularly tucked away and inviting. This bar is old-fashioned to the max and indescribably special.
ADDRESS: 15 Place Vendôme (1st arr.)
MÉTRO: Madeleine (lines 8, 12, 14)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Louvre
PRICE: €€€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 43 16 33 74
DEETS: hotel bar, intimate, old-fashion, exclusive, luxury, dress to impress

Bar Le Gaspard at La Réserve
Designed by Raphaël Hamburger, who we swear is a real person, Bar Le Gaspard oozes Parisian effervescence from inside the posh hotel La Réserve. It’s chic yet relaxed and has two terraces perfect for a laid-back after work get together. They mix timeless classics alongside signature cocktails that reflect the eclectic inspirations of the bar. The head barman combines spices and spirits from around the world to create unexpected concoctions.
ADDRESS: 42 Avenue Gabriel (8th arr.)
MÉTRO: Champs-Élysées — Clemenceau (lines 1, 13)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Concorde / Champs-Elysées / Arc de Triomphe
PRICE: €€€€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 58 36 60 50
DEETS: hotel bar, luxury
INSTAGRAM: @lareserveparis

Le Bar at Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Look up to see the dreamy and intricate blue design of the ceiling that flows and folds like fabric down the length of the bar. This stylish bar is a place to savor the ever-changing selection of exclusive Dom Pérignon champagnes or sip a sleek and customizable cocktail like Emily from that show about things that 100% never happen in Paris.
ADDRESS: Hôtel Plaza Athénée, 25 Avenue Montaigne (8th arr.)
MÉTRO: Alma-Marceau (line 9)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Champs Élysées
PRICE: €€€€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 53 67 66 00
DEETS: hotel bar, luxury, exclusive, dress to impress
INSTAGRAM: @plaza_athenee

Joséphine at Hôtel Lutetia
Bar Joséphine is up to the minute with splendor. Running from floor to ceiling are Art Nouveau frescos and large windows between the sculpted walls flaunt beautiful views of the city. The luxury starts with its lush furniture and signature menu and continues with nightly live jazz music.
ADDRESS: 45 Boulevard Raspail (6th arr.)
MÉTRO: Rue du Bac (line 12)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Jardin du Luxembourg/Odéon
PRICE: €€€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 49 54 46 00
DEETS: hotel bar, Eiffel Tower view, live music, small dogs welcome, dress code: smart casual
INSTAGRAM: @hotellutetia

La Terrasse de L’hôtel Raphaël
With 360 degree views of Paris, the rooftop bar at Hotel Raphaël gives more than expected (more = views that include the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe). Open from April to September, the terrace is filled with sunlight and the smell of fresh flowers. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind with pure 1% vibes.
ADDRESS: 17 Avenue Kléber (16th arr.)
MÉTRO: Boissière (line 6)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Chaillot
PRICE: €€€€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 1 53 64 32 00
DEETS: hotel bar, rooftop bar, 360 views, Eiffel Tower view
INSTAGRAM: @hotelraphaelparis

Les Ambassadeurs at Hôtel de Crillon
From champagne and cocktails, canapés and caviar, to painted ceilings, golden accents, and ornate chandeliers, Les Ambassadeurs is the epitome of grandeur. They offer over a hundred selections of champagne from local producers, famous labels, and signature cocktails crafted by excellent barmen.
ADDRESS: 10 Place de la Concorde (8th arr.)
MÉTRO: Concorde (lines 1, 8, 12)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Concorde / Champs-Elysées / Arc de Triomphe
PRICE: €€€€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 44 71 15 17
DEETS: hotel bar, dress code: smart casual, luxury
INSTSAGRAM: @rosewoodhoteldecrillon

Le Café Marly
Le Café Marly is chic and delicious, and not to brag, but it boasts the best and closest views of the glass dome at the Louvre (because it’s RIGHT THERE). With sky-scraping ceilings of stone on the terrace, you feel as if you’re in a castle (a castle where you might see a celebrity or two) with the best natural lighting. A solid choice if you aren’t in the mood to dig deep down into the ‘dress to impress’ section of your suitcase.
ADDRESS: 93 Rue de Rivoli (1st arr.)
MÉTRO: Louvre – Rivoli (line 1)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Louvre
PRICE: €€€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 1 49 26 06 60
DEETS: at the Louvre, luxury, breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktail bar, terrace
INSTAGRAM: @cafe_marly

Le Bar Botaniste at Shangri-La
The selection of alcohols at Le Bar Botaniste is so top-tier, you could fulfill any and all of your cocktail dreams. They pay homage to the palace’s original resident, Prince Roland Bonaparte, with their rare botanical spirits, plants in every corner, and authentic absinthe fountains.
ADDRESS: 10 Avenue d’Iéna (16th arr.)
MÉTRO: Trocadéro (lines 6, 9)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Chaillot / Trocadero
PRICE: €€€
HOW TO BOOK: no reservations
NUMBER: +33 1 53 67 19 98
DEETS: hotel bar, luxury, dress code: casual chic, no smoking, open from 6pm-2am, botanical spirits
INSTAGRAM: @shangrilaparis

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.
ADDRESS: 7 rue du Bourg L’Abbé (3rd arr.)
MÉTRO: Étienne Marcel (line 4)
NEIGHBORHOOD: Haut Marais
PRICE: €€€€
HOW TO BOOK: online
NUMBER: +33 1 44 78 34 78
DEETS: cocktail bar, hotel bar
INSTAGRAM: @lesbainsparis