When you think of best bars in Paris, the most authentic, atmospheric, and locally loved drinking spots in the city that go beyond tourist hotspots. Also known as Parisian hidden bars, these places aren’t on every travel blog—they’re whispered about over wine at 11 p.m. in Le Marais or shared over a cigarette outside a back-alley jazz cellar. This isn’t about fancy cocktails with edible flowers. It’s about the bar where the bartender remembers your name, the one with the slightly sticky floor and the best Côtes du Rhône in the 6th arrondissement, the place where you don’t need to speak French to feel at home.
The Paris nightlife, the collection of evening venues—from intimate wine bars to underground clubs—that define how the city comes alive after sunset. Also known as Paris after dark, it doesn’t scream. It murmurs. It doesn’t have neon signs. It has handwritten notes on chalkboards and doors you have to know to find. You won’t find it on Google Maps unless you dig deep. The real hidden bars Paris, secretive, often unmarked venues offering exceptional drinks, curated music, and a sense of exclusivity without the price tag. Also known as speakeasies in Paris, these spots require a little legwork—but the reward is a night that feels like you’ve been let in on a private joke. Some are tucked behind bookstores. Others are accessed through unmarked doors in the 10th. A few only open on weekends, and only if you RSVP. And then there are the local Paris nightlife, the everyday drinking culture where Parisians unwind after work—with a glass of natural wine, a bite of cheese, and no pretense. Also known as bistro bars, these are the places where the same group shows up every Thursday, where the owner knows who’s single, who’s celebrating, and who just needs a quiet corner to think.
What makes Paris different isn’t the number of bars—it’s the mood. There’s no clubbing until midnight. No loud music before 11. No tourist crowds at 8 p.m. Parisians sip slowly. They talk. They linger. They don’t rush the night. And if you want to experience it right, you need to know where to go. Not the bars with the Instagram filters. Not the ones with the velvet ropes. The ones where the lights are low, the music is jazz or French pop, and the wine list is written in French but still easy to read.
Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve walked those streets after dark. You’ll learn where to find the best Irish pub that serves Guinness the way it’s meant to be poured. You’ll discover the jazz cellar where the saxophone player doesn’t know your name but plays like he does. You’ll see why some of the best nights in Paris start with a simple question: "Where do you go when you don’t want to be seen?"
Discover the real Paris after dark-jazz cellars, natural wine bars, secret speakeasies, and 24-hour cafés where locals unwind. Skip the tourist traps and experience the city’s true nighttime soul.
Discover Paris after dark with this guide to hidden jazz bars, 24-hour eateries, secret rooftops, and local hangouts. No tourist traps - just real nightlife, from midnight baguettes to underground techno.
