8 Best Speakeasy Bars in Paris (My Tips & Favorites)

Speak easy in Paris – Have you come across tales of Paris hidden bars and are now curious about locating these concealed gems? Then this post is tailor-made for you.

I have a very soft spot for Cocktail Bars, so when I heard rumors about Paris speakeasies, I was more than just intrigued.

After some research, my husband and I were up for the challenge and were lucky enough to visit several of Paris’s secret bars. And what can I say? Great cocktails, fantastic ambience and a lot of fun. Well, and a bit of awkwardly standing around, not daring to open unsuspicious looking doors.

So, in this article, I’ll guide you to the finest speakeasy bars in Paris, share with you our favorites and explain how to gain entry.

But… what is a Speakeasy Bar?

Speak easy bars in Paris are a nod to the US of the 1920s and 1930s. To prohibition, when it was illegal to make, sell or transport booze.

That – of course – did not mean that folks stayed sober, they just had to do it in secret. And that’s when secret bars were booming, a so-called speakeasy.

Bars were hidden behind an innocent-looking door, in private apartments, behind camouflaged walls, or in cellars. Invisible and discrete from the outside, and often only accessible with a password.

Prohibition wasn’t a thing in Europe. Maybe that’s what makes speakeasies in Paris so popular. It adds some adventure and secrecy to the Parisian night life program, and the Cocktails are always outstanding.

Here are a few articles that you surely will love:

• 5 Cocktail Bars in Paris you need to try!
• 30+ Memorable Things to do in Paris at Night
• 37 Hidden Gems in Paris: Secret Spots to Explore

Speakeasy in Paris: The Best Hidden Bars in Paris

Prohibition-style bars as a concept. A concept, that is frankly more on the more exclusive side of things. Hence, Speakeasies in Paris are not the place for a quick pint after job. Most of them don’t serve pints anyway. Or if you are going out on a super tight budget in Paris.

It’s not craaaazy expensive, but prices in the hidden bars in Paris are above average. Expect to pay between €12 and €16 for a cocktail.

The good thing is, you can be sure not to get fobbed off with an average Caipirinha.

A speakeasy bar in Paris is not an average bar anyway, but rather a pretty cool experience! And: A great activity if you are looking for things to do in Paris at night.

Speakeasies in Paris typically mean high-quality spirits and cocktails. They are among the best cocktail bars in Paris.

The bartenders know what they are doing: homemade bitters, the best liquors, and fancy and eccentric creations. Or did you ever try a cocktail where bell pepper or a smoked infusion made an appearance?

Speakesies in Paris: Here are my favorites

This article started with a small selection of 4 speakeasies in Paris in 2019. Since then, my husband had the pleasure of exploring further, and here’s for you my list of our curated list of favorite Paris Speakeasy Bars.

#1 Moonshiner

5 Rue Sedaine, 75011 Paris – daily 18h – 02h

The Moonshiner was my first stop for the evening. From the Bastille Metro station, it’s a 5-minute walk, or 7 if you walk past the bar without realizing it.

Well, I took that as a good sign. After double-checking the address, I found myself in front of a Pizzeria, and -as expected – without even a hint of a bar. Just a brown door at the back of the shop.

It felt a bit awkward to just walk through, and I was worried to end up in their warehouse, with an angry employee following and asking what the heck I think I was doing… And then I would have to buy a Pizza just to cover my embarrassment.

Anyway. Behind the brown door was of course no storage, but a very decent bar.

Greeted by the barman, I took a seat at the bar. To be honest, it’s always been my favorite place. I love to see how they mix drinks, and I am awed by how smoothly it goes.

The bar looks just about like you would imagine a prohibition-style bar: dim light, comfortable armchairs, vintage wallpapers, and I was right back in New Orleans in 1930.

By the way, Moonshiner is actually the name of the illicitly distilled booze – often whiskey –  from back in the day! Not surprising then that the Moonshiner has a lot of different whiskys on its menu, and cocktail names are also inspired by the epoch.

#2 La Mezcaleria

13 Bd du Temple, 75003 Paris, daily 18h – 02h

Next stop: Mexico. When I reached the address where La Mezcaleria was supposed to be, I did find a Mexican Taquería (El Vecino) and a Peruvian restaurant but, as expected, no sign of the Mezcaleria.

But I love Tacos, so I took the occasion to get a bite. The Tacos were good, not outstanding but decent and I enjoyed it.

While eating outside on their patio, I could see quite some people folks entering the Hotel next door, and eventually, I decided just to tag along.

I crossed the lobby of the hotel, the bar of the hotel, the Peruvian Restaurant, and the kitchen of the Peruvian Restaurant until I finally stood in front of the door of the Mezcaleria.

As the name hints, this Parisian speakeasy is specialized in Mezcal and even though I am not overly fond of it, the cocktails were remarkable. I wouldn’t have imagined it, but the smoky flavor of Mezcal was the cherry on the cake of the 2 cocktails I tasted.

#3 Lavomatic

 30 Rue René Boulanger  – Tuesday to Saturday, 18h – 2h (Tuesday & Wednesday until 1h)

After a stroll through the nightly Paris and crossing Place de la République, I arrived at my 3rd stop for the night.  I found the Lavomatic on the first try – maybe because it was the only launderette around, but probably also because it’s the only Laundry I’ve ever seen with a bouncer.

Quickened by my confident walk-up to the Moonshiner, I headed straight into the Launderette. But surprise, I got held back by the bouncer. He spoke something in his walkie-talkie and only after quick confirmation I could step in.

Completely unrelated fun fact: the French call a walkie-talkie a talkie-walkie, it cracks me up every time.

When stepping in, it became a bit awkward. Obviously, I had no laundry to wash, yet I was standing in a Launderette, all dressed up and with nowhere to go.

I won’t share how to open the door to the secret passage, but I eventually got it. I walked up a very narrow and pitch-black staircase and arrived in something like a small apartment living room, with framed pictures, books, and pillows.

Folks were sitting on swings and detergent boxes, sipping cocktails, and wine. Even though it’s a tiny place, they do have a balcony for smokers, and they also serve food! (everything at quite reasonable prices!

#4 L’Épicier

24 Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth – Tuesday to Saturday, 18h – 2h (Tuesday and Wednesday until 1h)

After laundry, it’s time for groceries! The 4th bar is called L’Épicier and is… hidden behind a grocery store! (That makes more sense if you’d know that épicierie means actually grocery store in French).

It follows more or less the same principle as the lavomatic – not surprising, both are run by the same founders. L’Épicier seems to be a normal late-night grocery store. Just like that kind of store you find on every 2nd street in Paris.

However, if you know the password, or better – if you know which item in the store you have to move – a secret door opens .. et voilà!

A nice detail is, that most Épiceries in Paris are run by folks with northern African origins and the bar hidden behind the store is just reflecting those oriental roots. Colorful Moroccan lanterns, tapestry and carpets, pillows, and signature cocktails based on mint tea and oriental spices.

The interior is very cozy and the atmosphere warm – we were again greeted by very friendly staff and allocated a seat. En par with the oriental flair, you sit on low tables, but they as well have a few swings and armchairs. And they serve food – Mezze obviously!

24 Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth – Tuesday to Saturday, 18h – 2h (Tuesday and Wednesday until 1h)

#5 Rehab

245 Rue Saint-Honoré, closed on Sundays and Mondays

This is the latest speakeasy bar in Paris I went to, and it was one of the coolest hidden bars. It’s in the basement of Hotel Normandie near the Louvre.

The style of this bar best described as a construction site, that meets opium bar, which meets the belle-epoche. It’s certainly a unique bar in Paris, that you must have seen with your own eyes. It is also sparked with a lot of intimacy, so perfect for a romantic night in Paris.

To enter the bar, you need to find the door behind a mirror and then carefully walk down a spiral staircase to the basement of the Hotel.

#6 DANICO

6 Rue Vivienne – In the Galerie Vivienne

The DANICO bar is another bar that is absolutely worth to get a drink at. Especially if you are interested in tasting one of the world’s best cocktails. I am not overdoing it here – DANICO made it in fact on the list of the 100 world best Cocktail Bars.

This hidden bar is not as adventurously hidden as some other Paris speak easy bars. But you still need to know it’s there to get into. It’s in the back of the Pizzeria DAROCO, which is excellent, by the way.

#7 Le Syndicat

51 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis

Le Syndicat is a hidden bar in Paris because its unassuming frontage doesn’t give away the gem that lies within. It’s basically just a door that is not even very appealing to go through.

Once inside, you’ll find a simple space with a list of cocktails that will make your head spin. The young and creative team behind the bar knows their stuff when it comes to French spirits, and they’re passionate about using only the best ingredients, all of which are sourced from France.

From the wine and cheese (yes!) to the fruits and vegetables, everything is assembled with care and attention to detail.

#8 Candelaria

52 Rue de Saintonge

In early 2024, my husband and I finally had the occasion again to sip a cocktail in one of the most established speakeasy bars in Paris: Candelaria. And as I am adding it to this list, you can be sure it was a great experience.

You find the Candelaria hidden behind a little Taquería, and you might need to build up a bit of courage to enter. Because it is, of course, nowhere indicated that the bar is even there.

It’s a small and cozy bar, with very dim lights and: excellent cocktails. They also have tons of Mezcal and Tequila on their menu. So if you are rather in for a tasting then a cocktail, the Candelaria is also a good choice.

We also ordered food from the Taquería to enjoy with our cocktails. We tried two kinds of quesadillas, yummy!

Where to find the secret bars in Paris?

The secret bars are a bit scattered over Paris, but 4 bars from this article can be easily done in one evening without taking public transport. Big plus: you see a bit of Paris.

Keep this post for future trips and weekends! Pin it! (Also check our bar and restaurant guides!)