Paris isn’t just about the Eiffel Tower and croissants. By night, the city transforms into a playground of hidden doors, whispered passwords, and dimly lit rooms where cocktails are crafted like art. Forget the crowded tourist spots on Montmartre or the overpriced wine bars near Notre-Dame. If you want real Parisian nightlife, you need to find the places that don’t advertise themselves.
What Makes a Speakeasy in Paris Different?
A true Parisian speakeasy isn’t just a bar with a dark interior and jazz music. It’s a secret. Many started as underground clubs during Prohibition-era influence in the 1920s, when Americans fled to Paris for alcohol and freedom. Today, they’ve evolved into intimate, meticulously designed spaces where bartenders know your name before you do.
Unlike fake “hidden” bars that just hide behind a fridge or a bookshelf, the best ones in Paris require effort. Some ask for a password. Others require a reservation under a fake name. A few still operate out of unmarked doors in back alleys near Rue de la Huchette or in the basement of a laundromat. The reward? A drink made with house-infused gin, smoked rosemary, or 20-year-old cognac - served with zero pretense.
Le Perchoir - Rooftop Secret with a View
Le Perchoir isn’t hidden in the traditional sense - it’s on the sixth floor of a building in the 11th arrondissement. But you won’t find it on Google Maps unless you know the exact address: 14 Rue de la Fontaine au Roi. The entrance is through a narrow stairwell behind a metal gate, past a quiet courtyard. Once you’re up, you’re rewarded with a sprawling rooftop terrace overlooking Paris, complete with string lights, vintage armchairs, and a cocktail list that changes weekly.
Try the Le Perchoir Mule - ginger beer, yuzu, and a splash of elderflower, served in a copper mug. The staff won’t rush you. You can stay until 2 a.m., watching the city lights flicker on. It’s not a secret anymore, but it still feels like one.
Clamato - Behind a Refrigerator Door
Walk into a small, unassuming Vietnamese restaurant called Clamato on Rue de la Roquette in the 11th. Order a pho. Then, when the server asks if you’d like dessert, say, “I’d like to see the bar.” That’s the password.
Behind the fridge in the back, a narrow door opens into a 12-seat cocktail den. The walls are lined with old vinyl records. The bartender, a former jazz drummer, makes drinks like the Smoked Lychee Old Fashioned - bourbon, lychee syrup, and a clove-infused smoke ring that fills the room. No menu. You tell him what you like, and he creates something. He remembers your name after one visit.
Reservations are required. You book through Instagram DM. No website. No phone number. Just a DM and a reply in French.
Le Chateaubriand Bar - The Restaurant That Became a Bar
Le Chateaubriand is a Michelin-starred restaurant in the 11th. But after dinner, the kitchen turns into a bar. The dining room closes at 10:30 p.m. The bar opens at 11 p.m. No one tells you this unless you ask.
Order a Parisian Negroni - gin, Campari, and a splash of absinthe rinsed over the glass. The bartender, who trained in Tokyo, uses ice made from filtered Seine water. The lighting is low. The music is ambient techno. The vibe? Like you’ve stumbled into a friend’s living room after midnight, and they just happened to have a rare bottle of Vermouth from 1978.
This isn’t a gimmick. It’s a tradition. Locals know. Tourists don’t. You’ll see Parisians here - artists, writers, musicians - drinking quietly, talking in hushed tones.
Bar Hemingway - The Classic That Still Feels Secret
It’s inside the Ritz Paris. Yes, that Ritz. But you won’t find it unless you know to take the elevator to the second floor and ask for the bar. No sign. No lobby queue. Just a single door.
Bar Hemingway is the oldest continuously operating cocktail bar in Paris. Ernest Hemingway drank here in the 1920s. The menu hasn’t changed much since. The Dry Martini is made with 100% gin, no vermouth, stirred for exactly 24 seconds. The ice is hand-chipped. The olives are stuffed with anchovy paste.
It’s expensive - cocktails start at €22. But it’s not about the price. It’s about the silence. The velvet chairs. The way the light hits the crystal glasses. It’s the only place in Paris where you can sit alone, sip a perfect martini, and feel like you’re the only person in the city.
Le Comptoir Général - The Jungle Hideout
Turn down a quiet street in the 10th arrondissement, past a faded sign that says Le Comptoir Général. You’ll see a wooden door, covered in vines. No lights. No music. Just a faint hum from inside.
Step in, and you’re in a 19th-century African trading post turned bar. The walls are lined with old maps, taxidermied animals, and vintage typewriters. The bar is made from a repurposed cargo ship door. The cocktails are named after forgotten French explorers.
Try the Le Congo Sour - rum, passionfruit, lime, and a dash of tamarind. The bartender pours it into a coconut shell. The vibe? Like you’ve been invited to a secret party in a forgotten colonial outpost. It’s loud, colorful, and chaotic - but never touristy.
How to Find These Places Without Getting Lost
Don’t rely on Google Maps. Most hidden bars don’t show up unless you search for their exact names. Instead:
- Follow local cocktail bloggers on Instagram - @pariscraftcocktails and @secretbarsparis post weekly updates.
- Ask hotel concierges who’ve worked in Paris for over 10 years. They know the real spots.
- Visit during the week. Weekends are for tourists. Weeknights are when locals go.
- Always make a reservation. Even if they say “no reservations,” call anyway. They’ll find a way.
- Carry cash. Many don’t take cards.
What to Expect - And What to Avoid
Don’t walk in wearing flip-flops or a baseball cap. These aren’t clubs. They’re temples of craft. Dress like you’re going to dinner - smart casual. No hoodies. No loud groups.
Don’t ask for a “vodka soda.” Bartenders here take pride in their craft. If you’re unsure, say, “I like something bitter and herbal.” They’ll make you something unforgettable.
Avoid places that advertise themselves as “secret bars” on TripAdvisor. If it’s on TripAdvisor, it’s not secret anymore.
Best Time to Go
Most hidden bars open between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. and close around 2 a.m. The sweet spot? Between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. That’s when the crowd is just starting to arrive - quiet enough to chat, busy enough to feel alive.
Weekdays are better. Friday and Saturday nights get packed. You might wait 45 minutes just to get in. Tuesday or Wednesday? You’ll likely get a seat by the window, and the bartender will make you a second drink on the house.
Why This Matters
Paris has over 300 cocktail bars. But only about 15 of them feel like real secrets. These aren’t just places to drink. They’re spaces where time slows down. Where the city’s soul - its art, its history, its quiet rebellion - comes alive.
Find one. Sit. Listen. Order something you’ve never heard of. Let the bartender surprise you. That’s the Parisian way.
Do I need to know French to get into hidden bars in Paris?
Not necessarily, but knowing a few phrases helps. Saying "Je voudrais voir le bar" (I’d like to see the bar) or "Je suis ici pour la réservation" (I’m here for the reservation) shows respect. Most bartenders speak English, but they appreciate the effort.
Are hidden bars in Paris expensive?
Cocktails typically cost between €18 and €25. Some, like at Bar Hemingway, go up to €30. But you’re paying for craftsmanship, not ambiance. A drink here lasts longer than three at a tourist bar. It’s worth it if you care about quality.
Can I just walk in without a reservation?
Sometimes. But most places have a strict limit - 10 to 15 seats. If you show up without a reservation, you might wait an hour or be turned away. Always book ahead, even if it’s just a text message or Instagram DM.
What’s the dress code for hidden bars in Paris?
Smart casual. No sneakers, shorts, or hoodies. Think dark jeans and a button-down, or a simple dress. Parisians value understated elegance. You don’t need a suit, but you should look like you tried.
Are these bars safe at night?
Yes. These bars are in well-lit, residential neighborhoods like the 11th and 10th arrondissements. The staff watches out for guests. Avoid walking alone through poorly lit alleys after 2 a.m., but the bars themselves are secure and welcoming.
