Paris isn’t just about wine anymore
For decades, Paris was known for its wine bars, cozy cafés, and Michelin-starred restaurants. But since 2020, something quiet but powerful has taken root: a craft beer revolution. Today, the city has over 120 independent breweries and more than 200 bars dedicated to pouring local and international craft beers-many of them open late into the night. If you’re looking for real nightlife in Paris that doesn’t revolve around cocktails or champagne, these are the spots that locals actually go to after dinner.
La Dérive: Where the locals go after midnight
Open until 2 a.m. on weekends, La Dérive in the 10th arrondissement is the kind of place you stumble into and never want to leave. The space is industrial but warm-exposed brick, wooden tables, and a long bar lined with 24 taps. No menus here. Instead, staff hand you a small notepad and ask what you’re in the mood for: hoppy? sour? malty? They’ll guide you to something new. The house IPA, La Dérive Hazy, has a tropical fruit punch flavor with zero bitterness, and it’s the reason people come back. On Friday nights, the crowd is a mix of artists, brewers, and expats-all chatting over pints of Belgian saisons and American double IPAs. It’s not fancy. It’s not loud. But it’s the most alive place in Paris after 11 p.m.
Le Comptoir Général: Beer, music, and hidden gardens
Tucked away in the 10th arrondissement, Le Comptoir Général feels like a secret garden you weren’t supposed to find. The entrance is unmarked, but once you’re inside, you’ll see a mix of vintage furniture, African art, and a beer wall stocked with 80+ bottles from France, Belgium, and the U.S. The bar pours a rotating selection of rare barrel-aged stouts and spontaneous fermentation beers you won’t find anywhere else in the city. On Thursday nights, they host live jazz sets starting at 9 p.m., and the crowd doesn’t thin out until after midnight. Their Bière de Garde, brewed in collaboration with a farmhouse brewery in Normandy, has notes of caramel, dried fig, and a faint earthiness that lingers. It’s the kind of beer you sip slowly, not chug.
Brasserie des Frères: The OG of Paris craft beer
Opened in 2015, Brasserie des Frères was one of the first places in Paris to brew and serve its own beer on-site. Their 100% organic brewery sits behind the bar, and you can see the copper kettles through the glass wall. They focus on Belgian-inspired ales and lagers, but with French ingredients-like honey from the Ardennes and hops grown near Lyon. Their Brasserie des Frères Blonde is a crowd favorite: crisp, clean, with a hint of citrus. It’s the beer you drink when you want something easy but interesting. The bar stays open until 1 a.m., and the staff remember your name by the third visit. It’s not a party spot-it’s a place to slow down, talk, and taste something made with care.
La Bière des Amis: The beer bar that feels like home
Located in the heart of the Marais, La Bière des Amis is small-barely 20 seats-but it’s packed every night. The owner, a former brewer from Lyon, imports rare bottles from Japan, Sweden, and Oregon. The menu changes weekly. One week you might find a Japanese milk stout with matcha; the next, a Swedish sour with elderflower. They don’t do food, but they let you bring in snacks from the deli across the street. The vibe is chill, the lighting is dim, and the beer list is always surprising. Their Wild Fermentation Lager, fermented with wild yeast from the French Alps, tastes like wet stone and green apple. It’s not for everyone. But if you’ve had 100 standard lagers in your life, this one will reset your expectations.
Le Baron Rouge: Where beer meets street culture
Le Baron Rouge is in the 13th arrondissement, near the Chinese Quarter, and it’s the most unapologetically cool beer bar in Paris. The walls are covered in graffiti, the playlist is a mix of French hip-hop and Detroit techno, and the taps pour exclusively from small, independent breweries. They don’t serve wine. They don’t serve cocktails. Just beer-24 rotating taps, all under 6% ABV. Their Parisian Pilsner, brewed with local barley and Saaz hops, is the most ordered beer in the city among people under 35. It’s light, refreshing, and perfect for warm nights. On weekends, they host pop-up DJ sets and open-mic nights. The crowd is young, diverse, and there’s no dress code. You’ll see people in suits next to people in hoodies-all drinking the same pint.
What makes a great craft beer bar in Paris?
Not all beer bars in Paris are created equal. The best ones share a few things:
- Taps that rotate weekly-If a bar has the same 6 beers on tap every month, it’s not serious.
- Staff who know their stuff-They should be able to tell you where the beer was brewed, what yeast was used, and how long it aged.
- No wine on the menu-If a place calls itself a craft beer bar but still serves Chardonnay, they’re trying to please everyone. The good ones are focused.
- Open late-Most of the best spots stay open until at least midnight. Some, like La Dérive, go until 2 a.m.
- Local partnerships-Bars that collaborate with nearby breweries (like Brasserie des Frères) or host tap takeovers are the ones pushing the scene forward.
What to order if you’re new to craft beer in Paris
If you’re used to drinking Heineken or Stella Artois, the world of craft beer can feel overwhelming. Start here:
- Blonde Ale-Light, easy, slightly fruity. Great first step.
- Pilsner-Crisp, clean, hoppy but not bitter. Parisian Pilsner is the local benchmark.
- Saison-Farmhouse-style, slightly spicy, dry finish. Perfect with charcuterie.
- Stout-Dark, rich, coffee or chocolate notes. Try one with vanilla or coconut if you like dessert beers.
- Sour Ale-Tart, fruity, sometimes funky. Don’t be scared. It’s like drinking a berry smoothie with a beer backbone.
When to go and what to expect
Weeknights (Tuesday-Thursday) are quiet. Great for trying new beers without the crowd. Friday and Saturday nights are packed. Lines can form by 9 p.m. at the most popular spots. Arrive before 8:30 p.m. to get a seat. Most bars don’t take reservations, so walk-ins are the norm. Don’t expect a big menu or fancy cocktails. The focus is on beer-simple, honest, and always changing.
How the Paris beer scene changed in the last five years
In 2020, there were fewer than 30 independent breweries in Paris. By 2025, that number jumped to over 120. The city now hosts the Paris Beer Week every October, drawing 40,000 visitors. Local governments have relaxed licensing laws, making it easier for small brewers to open bars. Younger Parisians are rejecting mass-produced beer in favor of flavor, quality, and transparency. Even the old-school bistros are now offering at least one craft beer on tap. The scene isn’t just growing-it’s becoming part of the city’s identity.
Final tip: Don’t just go to the tourist spots
You’ll see blogs listing “Top 5 Craft Beer Bars in Paris”-but half of them are in Montmartre or near the Eiffel Tower. Those places are nice, but they’re for tourists. The real magic is in the neighborhoods: the 10th, the 13th, the 19th, the 20th. That’s where the brewers live, where the bars stay open late, and where the beer is actually good. Skip the postcards. Find the alleyways. Ask the bartender what’s new. You’ll taste Paris in a way most visitors never do.
Are craft beer bars in Paris expensive?
A pint of craft beer in Paris usually costs between €6 and €9. That’s more than a lager at a regular bar, but less than a cocktail. Many places offer half-pints for €4-5, which is perfect if you want to try a few different beers. Some bars have happy hours from 5-7 p.m. on weekdays, where pints drop to €5.
Can I find non-alcoholic craft beer in Paris?
Yes. Most top craft beer bars now offer at least one non-alcoholic option-usually a hazy IPA or a dark stout brewed with low alcohol. Brands like Brasserie de la Goutte d’Or and Les Brasseurs du Nord make excellent NA beers that taste like real craft beer, not sweet soda. Ask for the "sans alcool" option on the tap list.
Do I need to speak French to order beer?
Not at all. Most staff in craft beer bars speak English, especially in areas like the Marais, 10th, and 13th arrondissements. But learning a few words helps: "une pinte" (a pint), "une demi" (a half-pint), "la bière de la semaine" (the beer of the week). A smile and a "Merci" go a long way.
Are these bars family-friendly?
Some are, especially during early evening hours. Bars like Brasserie des Frères and La Bière des Amis welcome families before 8 p.m. But after 9 p.m., most become adult-only spaces. If you’re with kids, aim for early dinner and a beer before the nightlife crowd arrives.
Is there a beer tour in Paris?
Yes. Several local guides run small-group beer tours that hit 4-5 bars in one night. They cost around €45-60 and include 6-8 tastings. The best ones are run by former brewers or beer writers. Look for "Paris Craft Beer Tour" on Google-check reviews for guides who focus on local spots, not tourist traps.
Next steps: Where to go after the beer bars
After your last pint, head to one of these nearby spots to keep the night going:
- Walk 10 minutes from La Dérive to Le Perchoir-a rooftop bar with city views and live electronic music.
- From Le Comptoir Général, take the metro to Le Baron Rouge for more beer and a DJ set.
- From La Bière des Amis, stroll to Bar des Oiseaux-a hidden jazz bar with no sign and only 12 seats.
The best nights in Paris don’t start with a reservation. They start with a question: "What’s new on tap?"
