The Ultimate Pub Crawl: A Guide to Irish and British Bars in Paris

Why Paris Has the Best Irish and British Pubs Outside the UK and Ireland

Paris isn’t known for Guinness and whiskey on tap, but if you’ve wandered into a dimly lit corner of the 6th or 11th arrondissement, you’ve probably stumbled into one of its best-kept secrets: authentic Irish and British pubs. These aren’t themed tourist traps with plastic leprechauns and overpriced cocktails. These are real pubs-run by expats, filled with locals, and serving pints that taste like they were poured in Dublin or London.

There are over 40 Irish and British-style pubs in Paris, and more than half of them opened in the last decade. Why now? Because Parisians have grown tired of generic wine bars. They want something with character-wooden floors, dartboards, live folk music, and bartenders who remember your name. And they’re not alone. Tourists from across Europe and North America now plan their trips around these spots, treating them like cultural landmarks.

What Makes a Real Irish Pub in Paris?

A real Irish pub isn’t about green beer or bagpipes playing at noon. It’s about atmosphere. The best ones have:

• Dark oak paneling and brass foot rails
• Hand-pulled Guinness from a proper keg system
• A selection of at least 10 Irish and Scottish whiskies
• Live traditional music on weekends
• Pub food that’s actually cooked in-house-think shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, or bangers and mash

Many of these places are owned by Irish or British expats who moved to Paris for love, work, or just the vibe. They bring over equipment, recipes, and even staff from home. At The Irish House is a long-standing Irish pub in the 6th arrondissement, opened in 1998 by a Dubliner who brought over his grandfather’s pub sign and a 200-year-old oak bar top. The Guinness here is poured using the same two-step technique used in Dublin. No shortcuts.

Top 5 Irish Pubs in Paris You Can’t Miss

1. The Irish House - 12 Rue de l’Échaudé, 6th arrondissement. Open since 1998, this is the oldest Irish pub in Paris. They serve 12 different Irish ales and host weekly sessions of fiddle and bodhrán music. The owner, Seán O’Connor, still pours the pints himself on weekends.
2. The Dubliner - 10 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin, 10th arrondissement. A no-frills, loud, and lively spot favored by students and expats. Their whiskey flight includes rare Irish single malts you won’t find anywhere else in France.
3. Le Cheshire Cat - 45 Rue des Martyrs, 18th arrondissement. Not technically Irish, but it’s run by a British couple who imported their entire pub setup from Manchester. They serve proper cask ales and have a full Sunday roast every week.
4. The Red Lion - 21 Rue des Martyrs, 18th arrondissement. A classic British pub with dartboards, a pool table, and a beer garden. Their IPA selection changes monthly and is sourced from microbreweries in Kent and Yorkshire.
5. Bar 10 - 10 Rue du Château d’Eau, 10th arrondissement. A hidden gem with a British-style pub quiz every Thursday. The owner, a former London bartender, trained his staff in the UK to serve drinks the right way.

British Pubs in Paris: More Than Just Beer

British pubs in Paris aren’t just about beer. They’re about tradition. The best ones serve:

• Cask-conditioned ales (real ale), not keg beer
• Proper pub snacks: pickled eggs, pork scratchings, salted peanuts
• Full English breakfast on weekends
• Pub quizzes, darts, and sometimes even bingo
• Tea served in mugs, not teapots

Many of these bars are run by former pub landlords from Manchester, Bristol, or Edinburgh who moved to Paris and opened their dream pubs. At The Red Lion is a British-style pub in the 18th arrondissement, serving cask ales from independent UK breweries and hosting weekly pub quizzes with prizes like £50 in British coins. You won’t find a single bottle of lager on tap here-only real ale, served at cellar temperature.

The Pub Crawl: How to Do It Right

Here’s a realistic, walkable pub crawl that takes you through three of the best spots in one night:

1. Start at The Irish House (6th) - Grab a pint of Guinness and a plate of Irish stew. Stay for the live music if it’s Friday or Saturday.
2. Walk 15 minutes to The Red Lion (18th) - Order a pint of IPA and play darts. Try the pork scratchings-they’re made in-house.
3. Finish at Bar 10 (10th) - Join the pub quiz at 8 PM. Even if you don’t win, the owner will buy you a round for trying.

Don’t rush. These places aren’t designed for quick drinks. They’re meant for lingering. Take your time. Talk to the bartender. Ask about the beer. Ask about their story. Most of them moved here for a reason-and they’ll tell you why they stayed.

What to Order (And What to Skip)

When you walk into one of these pubs, you have options. Here’s what works-and what doesn’t:

• Do order: Guinness, Murphy’s Irish Stout, Heineken 0.0 (yes, they have non-alcoholic options), cask ale, Irish whiskey neat, a proper gin and tonic with quality tonic water
• Don’t order: “Irish coffee” made with instant coffee and whipped cream, cocktails with “Irish” in the name, beer served too cold, or anything labeled “British pub food” that comes in a plastic container

Real Irish pubs serve their Guinness at 42°F (5.5°C), not ice-cold. The beer needs to breathe. The same goes for whiskey-no ice unless you’re in a hotel bar. And if they’re serving “British-style” fish and chips with frozen batter? Walk out.

Why These Pubs Are So Popular With Locals

Parisians aren’t just going to these pubs because they’re tourists. They’re going because they’re better than most local bars. French wine bars are elegant, but they’re quiet. These pubs are loud, warm, and welcoming. You can sit at the bar alone and strike up a conversation. You can bring a book and read for hours. You can come in at 11 PM and still get a proper meal.

Many of these pubs have become community hubs. There are book clubs at The Dubliner. Language exchange nights at Bar 10. Charity fundraisers for UK and Irish causes. One pub even hosts a monthly “Pint & Poetry” night where locals read their own work over a pint of stout.

How to Spot a Fake Irish Pub

Not every place with a shamrock is real. Here’s how to tell:

• Green neon signs? Red flag.
• Only one type of beer on tap? Red flag.
• Menu has “Irish nachos” or “British tacos”? Run.
• No wood, no leather, no dartboard? Probably not real.
• Staff don’t know what a cask ale is? Definitely fake.

The real ones don’t advertise. They don’t need to. Word spreads. Locals know. And if you ask a Parisian bartender where they go after work, nine times out of ten, they’ll name one of these.

When to Go and What to Expect

These pubs are busiest on weekends, especially Friday and Saturday nights. But if you want the real experience, go on a Tuesday or Wednesday. You’ll get the full atmosphere-no crowds, no pressure, just good beer and good conversation.

Most open at 5 PM and stay open until 2 AM. Some have last call at midnight on weekdays. Always check their Facebook page-many update their events there. Pub quizzes, live music, and whiskey tastings are common, and they’re usually free.

Final Tip: Respect the Culture

These pubs aren’t just bars. They’re pieces of home for people who left Ireland and Britain to live in Paris. Treat them like you would any local institution. Don’t take selfies at the bar. Don’t order a “lager and lime.” Don’t ask for a “stronger Guinness.” And if you’re unsure what to order? Just ask the bartender. They’ll tell you what’s good.

Paris has a thousand ways to drink. But if you want to feel like you’re in Dublin or Manchester without leaving the city, these pubs are your best bet. They’re not perfect. They’re not cheap. But they’re real. And that’s worth more than any Instagram filter.