In the 1920s, people in the United States could not drink alcohol because of the Prohibition so speakeasies started to appear. A speakeasy was an illegal bar and there were lots of them in New York City. Nowadays, you can find a lot of speakeasies in Paris. Will you be able to find them? Here are our 7 favorite speakeasies in Paris.
La Candelaria
Once there, you will probably wonder why we told you to go to Mexican restaurant. Do not worry, you are at the right place! If you try to order a cocktail at the counter of this little Mexican restaurant, the staff will probably laugh at you and answer “If you’re here for cocktails, you’re at the wrong counter!”.
Follow the corridor and push the little broom closet door at the back of the restaurant.
You will enter a big room with softened lights and stone walls.
Take a seat and let yourself be tempted by their cocktail called “La Guêpe verte” (The green wasp) -tequila, cucumber, coriander, agave, lime and chili. This cocktail will take your palate on a trip to Mexico.
Price: 12 euros for the cocktail Guêpe Verte.
Address: 52 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris
How to get there? Underground line 8 (Saint – Sébastien Froissart).
Opening hours: Everyday -6pm to 2am.
Facebook page: La Candelaria (Facebook page in French).
Le Lavomatic
It is one of the most famous speakeasies in Paris… Which is a bit of a contradiction for a speakeasy!
Nevertheless, it is so surprising that we had to mention it in this top 7.
Go to the Rue Boulanger and enter the laundromat (which is actually a real one). Pull open the door of the only fake washing machine and climb the stairs.
You will enter a small flat and discover a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. The decoration is modern and original.
Take a seat on a swing and order one of their homemade cocktails. Do you fancy a snack? No problem, they also serve tapas.
This is the perfect place for an original evening which will take you back in the 1920s and the Prohibition.
Price: 5 euros for a glass of wine. Between 9 and 12 euros for a cocktail. Over 10 euros for tapas.
Address: 30 Rue René Boulanger, 75010 Paris
How to get there? Underground line 3, 5, 8, 9 or 11 (République) or line 5 (Jacques Bonsergent).
Opening hours:
Tuesday and Wednesday -6pm to 1am.
Thursday to Saturday -6pm to 2am.
Website: Le Lavomatic (website in French).
Secret 8
Secret 8 is a bar…. hidden in another bar!
Do not think you will enter the Secret 8 so easily!
Indeed to enter this very selective bar, you will need to use your brain and find the password.
To do so, go on the bar’s Instagram or Facebook page and solve the riddle.
Once inside the bar, you will be charmed by the English atmosphere of this very small and intimate place.
They serve ten cocktails including the Amazon Warrior: cognac, mastika liqueur, orange, aquafaba, agave and lime…
These delicious drinks are served in exceptional glasses from all around the world.
We strongly recommend you call the 01 53 05 90 39 to book a table as this place does not have many seats.
Price: 12 euros for a virgin cocktail and 18 euros for alcoholic beverages.
Address: 8-12 rue Boissy-d’Anglas, 75008 Paris
How to get there? Underground 1, 8 or 12 (Concorde).
Opening hours: From Tuesday to Saturday -7pm to 2am.
Website: Secret 8
Facebook page to find the password: Secret 8 (Facebook page in French).
Instagram page: Secret 8 (Instagram page in French).
The Moonshiner
The Moonshiner is located in the Bastille district and is one of the best-hidden bars in all of Paris.
Enter the pizzeria Da Vito and go at the back of the restaurant. Push the heavy doors of the cold room and there you are!
This beautiful speakeasy will take you back to the 1930s.
With its golden moldings, cozy atmosphere and blues music, it is an original place to enjoy delicious cocktails.
They serve original creations made of coriander, passion fruit, sherry vinegar, smoked tea squash and mango jam.
The names of the cocktails will ring a bell and make music lovers laugh -« Amy Ginehouse », « Don’t Get Me Wrong »…
Price: 5 euros for a pint.
Address: 5 rue Sedaine, 75011 Paris
How to get there? underground line 5 (Bréquet Sabin).
Opening hours: Everyday -6pm to 2am.
Facebook page: The Moonshiner
L’Epicier
As its name suggests, this speakeasy bar is hidden behind grocery shop (“épicerie” in French) on the Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth and we are sure it will become famous very quickly.
It looks like a real grocery shop. There are even customers doing their shopping there without knowing that there is a speakeasy just behind the shop.
How to enter the speakeasy? You need to push a specific couscous box and wait for the shelf to open.
Once inside, you will begin a trip to middle-East. It smells of incense and the decoration is nice and exotic.
They serve both food and drinks.
You like mint tea? We recommend you try the “Tété du Bled” -lime oleo saccharum, fresh Moroccan mint, homemade mint tea soda, Cuban rum and a little bit of absinthe.
L’Epicier is the new Parisian speakeasy not to be missed.
Price: Between 10 and 15 euros.
Address: 24 Rue Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth, 75003 Paris
How to get there? Underground line 3, 5, 8, 9 or 11 (République).
Opening hours:
Tuesday and Wednesday -6pm to 1am.
From Thursday to Saturday -6pm to 2am.
Facebook page: L’Epicier
The Little Red Door
Push a little red door without any signboard and you will enter this bar which has been voted 11th best bar in the world in October 2017.
Take a seat and enjoy the cosy atmosphere and the jazz music. The decoration changes each year so you will always be rediscovering this place.
Read the names of the cocktails and you will understand that they mix cocktails and art. You have the choice between 11 cocktails -Modernismo, Art Nouveau, Minimalisme …
We recommend you try the Art Déco which is made of bourbon, brandy, date and violet tea. Original, isn’t it?
The cocktails reflect the concept of the bar -simple in appearance but with a small original and surprising touch.
Note that this bar can be a bit overcrowded as it is very popular.
Price: around 15 euros.
Address: 60 Rue Charlot, 75003 Paris
How to get there? Underground line 8 (Filles du Calvaire).
Opening hours: Everyday -6pm to 2am except on Fridays and Saturdays when the bar closes at 3am.
Website: The Little Red Door
The Mezcaleria of the 1K Hôtel
The Mezcaleria is inspired from New York’s speakeasies and has kept their clandestine atmosphere.
To get there, you need to enter the Hôtel 1K’s kitchen. The hotel’s clients and the frequent customers are the only people knowing this speakeasy exists.
The Mezcaleria will take you on a trip to Latin America as their speciality is Mezcal, a Mexican alcohol.
Take a seat on one of their colorful cushions and enjoy the exotic and welcoming decoration while drinking your cocktail.
This speakeasy must not be missed but will you be able to find it? This is maybe the biggest challenge!
Price: Cocktails 12 euros and up.
Address: 13 Boulevard du Temple, 75003 Paris
How to get there? Underground line 8 (Filles du Calvaire).
Opening hours: Everyday -6pm to 2am. You cannot enter after 1am.
Website: The Mezcaleria
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