The Best Speakeasies and Hidden Bars in Paris for an Unforgettable Night Out

Paris isn’t just about the Eiffel Tower and croissants. By night, the city transforms into a playground of hidden doors, dim lighting, and cocktails crafted like art. Forget the crowded tourist spots-what makes Paris nightlife unforgettable are the places you have to know about to find. These aren’t just bars. They’re experiences. And the best ones? They don’t advertise.

Where to Find the Real Hidden Bars

You won’t see signs. No neon. No menus on the sidewalk. The real speakeasies in Paris hide behind unmarked doors, inside bookstores, behind refrigerators, or through a phone booth. You need a hint, a password, or just the right timing. Most don’t take reservations. Some don’t even have websites. That’s the point.

These places emerged after 2010, when a new generation of bartenders-trained in New York, London, and Tokyo-brought back the art of the cocktail. They wanted to recreate the intimacy of Prohibition-era America, but with French elegance. The result? A scene that’s quiet, thoughtful, and deeply local.

Le Chateaubriand Bar

Don’t let the name fool you. This isn’t a restaurant bar-it’s one of the most respected cocktail spots in the city. Tucked behind the dining room of the Michelin-starred Le Chateaubriand in the 11th arrondissement, the bar opens after dinner. You walk through a curtain, and suddenly you’re in a cozy, wood-paneled room with a single bartender moving like a magician.

They don’t have a menu. Instead, you tell the bartender what you’re in the mood for: sweet, bitter, fruity, or strong. Then they craft something unique. One night, you might get a gin drink with yuzu and smoked tea. Another, a bourbon with black garlic and maple. The ice is hand-carved. The glasses are chilled. The experience? Priceless.

It’s open Thursday to Saturday only, from 9 PM until last call. No reservations. Just show up early, or wait. The crowd? Locals, chefs, artists. No tourists in matching T-shirts.

Le Perchoir

If you want a view with your drink, Le Perchoir is your spot. But not the one on the roof of a hotel. This one’s on a rooftop above a garage in the 11th. You climb a narrow staircase past graffiti and vintage bikes, then step out into a garden-like terrace lit by string lights and surrounded by city lights.

It’s not technically hidden-you can find it on Google Maps-but most visitors miss it because it doesn’t look like a bar from the street. The cocktails are creative but approachable: a gin sour with rhubarb, a mezcal old-fashioned with smoked salt. The crowd is young, stylish, and relaxed. People come here to talk, not to dance.

They serve small plates-charcuterie, olives, cheese. But the real draw is the atmosphere. On a clear night, you can see the Eiffel Tower sparkle from 200 meters up. It’s not secret, but it feels like it.

Bar Hemingway

At the Hôtel Ritz Paris, Bar Hemingway is the only place in the city where you can sip a dry martini where Ernest Hemingway once sat. It’s not hidden in the traditional sense-it’s inside one of the most famous hotels in the world. But it’s quiet, exclusive, and rarely crowded with tourists because it’s expensive and requires a certain level of discretion.

The bartenders here have been working for decades. One of them, Jean-Michel, has been mixing drinks here since 1998. He knows every regular. The menu is classic: old-fashioneds, manhattans, sidecars. No molecular mixology here. Just perfection.

They don’t take reservations for the bar area. You can book a table in the main room, but if you want to sit at the bar, you show up before 7 PM. The lighting is low, the leather seats are worn in just right, and the silence is thick with history.

Le Comptoir Général

This place doesn’t feel like Paris at all. Walk through a wooden door in the 10th arrondissement, and you’re in a lush, jungle-like lounge filled with African artifacts, vintage books, and hanging plants. The walls are covered in old maps. A piano sits in the corner. The music? Jazz from the 1950s, played softly.

It started as a cultural center and became a bar. You can drink a rum-based cocktail called the ‘Sahara Sunset’ or a French twist on a Negroni with hibiscus. The bartenders wear linen shirts and speak in hushed tones. There’s no pressure to leave. You can sit for hours.

It’s open every day until 2 AM. The crowd is a mix of expats, students, and curious locals. No one is dressed up. No one is trying to impress. It’s one of the few places in Paris where you can feel truly at ease.

Little Red Door

Hidden behind a red door on a quiet street in the 10th, Little Red Door has been voted one of the best bars in the world. You don’t need a password. But you do need to know where to look. The entrance is unmarked, and the only clue is a small sign that says ‘Bar’ in tiny letters.

Inside, it’s all marble, brass, and low lighting. The bartenders wear tailored suits. They don’t just make drinks-they tell stories. Each cocktail is named after a French writer or artist. Try the ‘Cocteau’-a blend of cognac, lavender, and orange blossom. Or the ‘Baudelaire,’ with absinthe and black pepper.

They serve food too: tiny plates of duck rillettes, smoked salmon tartare, and warm almonds. But the drinks are the main event. The bar stays open until 2 AM, and it’s always full. Not because it’s loud, but because it’s unforgettable.

Secret Bar by the Canal

Down by the Canal Saint-Martin, there’s a bar you can only find if someone tells you. It’s behind a laundry shop. You knock three times, and the door opens. Inside, it’s a tiny room with a single counter, five stools, and a wall of bottles. The owner, Marie, has been running it since 2012. She doesn’t take bookings. She doesn’t have a website. She just opens when she feels like it.

She makes one drink: a gin and tonic with elderflower and a single star anise. You can’t order anything else. She’ll ask you how your day was. Then she pours. You pay with cash. No receipts. No tips expected. Just a quiet moment with someone who knows how to make a perfect drink.

It’s not on any map. You’ll need to ask a local. But if you find it? You’ll remember it forever.

What Makes a Great Hidden Bar in Paris?

It’s not about the price. It’s not about the name. It’s about the feeling. The best hidden bars in Paris share a few things:

• Atmosphere over flash: No DJs. No strobe lights. Just soft lighting and quiet music.
• Expertise over gimmicks: Bartenders who know their spirits, not just trendy ingredients.
• Authenticity over marketing: No Instagram influencers posing with cocktails.
• Time over speed: You’re not rushed. You’re invited to stay.

The real secret? These places don’t want to be found by everyone. They want the right people. The ones who care about the drink, the conversation, the moment.

How to Find Them Without a Guide

You don’t need a tour. You don’t need an app. Here’s how to find them yourself:

1. Walk the 10th, 11th, and 9th arrondissements after 8 PM. These are the neighborhoods where hidden bars thrive.
2. Look for doors that look like they belong to apartments, not businesses.
3. Check if there’s a small sign, a bell, or a phone number on the wall.
4. Ask a bartender at a regular bar: ‘Where do you go when you want to drink something real?’
5. Go early. If a place is packed at 8 PM, it’s probably not hidden anymore.

And if you’re lucky? You’ll find a place no one else knows about.

What to Order

Parisian bartenders don’t just serve drinks-they serve stories. Here’s what to try:

• French 75: Gin, lemon, sugar, and champagne. Classic. Elegant. Perfect.
• Le Grand Marnier: Cognac, orange liqueur, and a twist. A French twist on a sidecar.
• La Parisienne: Vodka, elderflower, cucumber, and mint. Light, fresh, and unexpected.
• Le Negroni Sbagliato: Red vermouth, Campari, and sparkling wine. The Italian classic, made French.

Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I don’t know what I want. Surprise me.’ That’s when the magic happens.

Final Tip: Don’t Tell Everyone

The best hidden bars in Paris survive because they’re not overrun. If you find one you love, keep it to yourself. Or, at least, don’t post it on Instagram. These places aren’t for viral moments. They’re for quiet nights, real conversations, and drinks that taste like memory.