In the not so distant past, Speakeasies and hidden bars in Paris were few and far between, with cocktail culture limited to exclusive, relatively inaccessible hotel bars. The idea of a secret bar remained distinctly off-radar until the Experimental Cocktail Club opened in 2007. It was a runaway success and today they have 8 venues in Paris alone (including my Saint-Germain favourite, Prescription) with bars and hotels in NYC, London, Menorca, Ibiza, Verbier and Venice.

Over a decade later, one can barely swing a cat in Paris without hitting a newly opened concept bar or Speakeasy - often still met with eye-rolling cynicism but to which I say the more the merrier! Here is a guide to my favourite hidden bars and hard-to-find drinking dens in the City of Light, perfect for intimate candlelit evenings in the French capital. Santé!

Special mentions also go to Nami, hidden underneath the Gyoza bar in Passage des Panoramas, Hammam under gourmet kebab spot Our, vault-like La Mina in the basement of Carbon restaurant & La Perdition, a cosy space under Ostrea Oyster Bar. Baranaan is a fun Indian-themed cocktail (& naan) bar set in an elaborate vintage train carriage, with screen windows showing views of a journey through India. Mabel is an unpretentious little rum bar behind a grilled cheese cafe! Promising the best sandwich of your life, their toastie menu is 👌🏼.

What are some of your favourite bars in Paris? I would love to hear from you if you have any tips or recommendations that I haven’t tried or mentioned above.. Bisous xx

P.S. A note on getting there - I always use Skyscanner to compare and find the best possible flights (using the “whole month” search option when I’m flexible with dates).

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