When we think of an indulgent evening out in Paris, it’s typically the city’s remarkable food and wine scene that comes to mind — and for good reason. Excellent restaurants can be found on nearly every street corner: windows filled with happy diners, tables spilling onto the pavement hinting at a confident kitchen within. What’s harder to find is a truly good cocktail. The obvious spots often lack finesse; the smaller ones can be difficult to track down.
Despite France’s reputation for producing some of the world’s finest spirits, cocktail drinking largely fell out of favour with the country’s younger generation. The tides are beginning to turn, however, and stylish addresses serving both classic and inventive concoctions are once again appearing across the city. For those in-the-know, they promise an evening full of genuine experience — where old-world culture meets the city’s cutting edge, and Paris feels at its most electric.
From old favorites to new discoveries, these are the cocktail bars on our list that never fail to impress:
1. Prescription
23 Rue Mazarine, 75006
With velvet couches and vintage bar seats, an evening at Prescription Cocktail Club feels like you’re on a set of a black and white film.
Old world glamour with new wave flavors bring a twist to the experience that expands beyond the glass. Come for a cocktail or a mocktail, but stay for the ambiance and interesting crowd — the next Hemingway or Joyce may be hanging around the corner or with a book upstairs. No matter your preference, the flavors here are as complex and rich as the interior design, with something to every fancy whether you’re on a date or enjoying a soirée alone.
2. Bisou.
15 Bd du Temple, 75003
98 Quai de Jenmaps, 75010
Bisou. is exactly as it sounds: a quick peck on the cheek and an enthusiastic greeting from your stylish Parisian friend.
With two spots perfectly positioned in the heart of the city with terraces for sight seeing, the Bisou. bars are relaxed, but lively — and now open tous les jours (everyday). If you can’t decide between a classic or something new, there’s no need to worry. The concept here was conceived without the restriction of a menu. The bartender will ask you about the flavors you like, who you are, or maybe the energy you want to embody while drinking beside the locals, then think up a custom creation just for you. If you find yourself at the location overlooking the canal, they’ll deliver a reimagined cocktail directly through the window hatch.
3. Cravan
165 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006
A Swiss dandy, writer, poet, artist, boxer and relative of Oscar Wilde, Arthur Cravan was last seen swimming off the coast of Mexico before disappearing forever. A mysterious and moody figure — and the poster child for Dadaism, he is the namesake of the bespoke and beloved Cravan bar.
With three atmospheres layered one on top of the other, you’ll encounter unique themes and sources of entertainment on each floor. The ground entrance pays homage to their first location, situated in the 16th arrondissement. Walking in, visitors are welcomed by Belle Epoch design, blended with elements inspired by French antiquity. The second floor is laid out like a pharmacy from byegone France, with parquet floors, mirrors and plush velvet couches. On the third floor, the much sought-after cozy salon, with intimate tables facing marble fireplaces, complete with a library. The cocktails are precise, curated and are as emblematic of show, as much as they are of tell. Perfect for parties or getting lost in a book.
4. Castor Club
14 Rue Hautefeuille, 75006
Behind an unassuming wooden door, hidden away somewhere in Paris’s Latin Quarter lies the Castor Club.
Akin to a speakeasy, you won’t find a sign pointing you towards this diamond chip in the rough, but once inside, the space is warm and welcoming. Although this bar is American, the size makes it feel right at home here in Paris. Exposed beams along the ceiling and walls contrast the red velveteen bar seats, making it equally suited to an evening spent in easy conversation with strangers or on a clandestine date.
With little advertising of its presence — just an instagram account , it’s an “if you know, you know” kind of spot, usually discovered through word of mouth. But in a place like this, it’s really the cocktails that do the talking. You’ll only find 12 drinks on the menu: easy to choose, little fuss. Half remain year round, while the other 6 change according to the seasons (or the week if it’s a special creation), many based around their collection of specialty whiskies.
5. Le 1905
25 Rue Beautreillis, 75004
What started as a family affair over 100 years ago, has since evolved into an intimate neighborhood hub, where homemade Catalan nibbles are served beside bourbon and curated cocktails.
Before the realization of Le 1905, there was Aux Vins des Pyrénées, a collectively owned bistro and wine cave where Jim Morrison and Serge Gainsbourg used to pass the time. Today, the spirit of the family business remains alive, but renewed. What was once a private residence has since been turned into an eclectic jazz bar. Enjoy a creative take on a Hollywood era libation, best enjoyed in the sunshine on the private courtyard during the warmer months.