Traditionally, most tourists will choose a terrasse or bistrot for a drink (or five). But they’re missing out on the new-to-Paris cocktail bar gems, hidden behind Haussmannian facades, with yummy mixology, sultry interior decor, and interesting characters seated at the bar. A few years back cocktail bars were such a rarity that they were almost all exclusively speakeasy-style. The secrecy remains a part of the scene, but with a better variety of options. Before cocktail bars become passé in Paris, take a look at the city’s sexiest destinations far away from terrasses.
1. Baby Doll
One of Paris’s newest bar is velour heaven perfect to kick off the night with the girls or get cozy and close during a date. Small dishes of cheese, artichokes, etc., complement the beautiful cocktails. — 16 Rue Daunou, 75002
2. Serpent à Plume
Place de Vosges’s coolest spot, the emerald green bar is the Studio 54 of Paris. Dance the night away stealing kisses in the cozy nooks or grabbing shots at the bar. This location is surely the go-to for Paris’s most fun dwellers. — 24 Place des Vosges, 75003
3. Silencio
This members-only club in Montmartre actually opens its doors to the public after 11 p.m. to become a proper club full of dancing and mingling. Hide away from the touristy Moulin Rouge and Crazy Horse, instead getting a dose of culture with shows and performances at the intimate underground space. — 142 Rue Montmartre, 75002
4. Le Carmen
This gin bar is a special place complete with ten euro cocktails and even a human-sized birdcage for an extra surreal effect. The entire interior reminds one of a rundown palace ready to be explored and to surprise (and you might run into a supermodel or two). — 34 Rue Duperré, 75009
5. Prescription Cocktail Bar
The second lovechild from the crew at Experimental Cocktail Club, this two-floor bar is a dim lit heaven where you might have one too many cocktails just because they are too good. This is one of those places that always gathers a lively crowd even when the rest of Paris is fast asleep. — 23 Rue Mazarine, 75006
6. Bar Hemingway
We’d like to consider Ernest Hemingway as the father of cocktail bars for his love of whiskey-sours; the bar at the Ritz, named after him, still caters to just that. Exquisite cocktails come with surprises such as a real rose or a pile of dry ice for a truly moveable sensory feast. (Note: Bar Hemingway is one of the more expensive bars in Paris, therefore definitely worth savoring for a special occasion.) — 15 Place Vendôme, 75001
7. Sape Bar
The new Paris hotel Terminus Nord is home to a vibrant bar in the unexpected location of Gare du Nord. Brought over by a German design group, the interior is a piece of Berlin night-life in the heart of the city. — 12 Boulevard de Denain, 75010
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