Best Bars in Paris

When you think of the best bars in Paris, authentic, lively spots where locals gather after work or on weekend nights. Also known as Parisian drinking holes, these aren’t the overpriced cocktail lounges near the Eiffel Tower—they’re the unmarked doors, basement spots, and tucked-away terraces that keep the city alive after midnight.

The Paris nightlife, a mix of old-world charm and modern edge, shaped by decades of art, politics, and late-night conversations. Also known as la vie nocturne parisienne, it’s not just about drinking—it’s about mood, music, and meeting people who don’t care if you’re a tourist. You’ll find Paris bars, places where the wine flows like water and the bartenders remember your name after one visit. Also known as caveaux, these are often family-run, with mismatched chairs, no menus, and a playlist that shifts from jazz to French pop without warning. And then there’s the Paris after dark, the city that transforms when the lights dim and the streets quiet down. Also known as la nuit parisienne, it’s when the real magic happens: secret rooftop parties in Le Marais, vinyl-only jazz bars in Saint-Germain, and wine bars where you can sip for hours without being rushed.

What you won’t find here are the same six clubs everyone’s Instagrammed. The posts below are the real deal—places locals whisper about, where you’ll hear French spoken more than English, where the bouncer knows if you’re serious about drinking or just taking photos. You’ll learn where to go for a quiet glass of natural wine, where to dance until 4 a.m. without paying a cover, and which bars actually serve good food at midnight. This isn’t a list of tourist traps. It’s a guide to the bars that keep Paris breathing after dark.

Whether you’re here for a weekend, a month, or just passing through, the best bars in Paris don’t care how much money you have—they care if you’re curious, respectful, and ready to stay awhile. The stories you’ll hear here, the people you’ll meet, and the drinks you’ll remember? They’re not on any travel blog. They’re waiting for you to find them.