The Best Secret Bars In Paris

While Paris is by no means short of watering holes, with cafés, bars and brasseries on every corner, there is something inherently exciting about a place that the locals don’t want you to find. Disguised as apartment blocks, pizzerias, warehouses, these hidden gems reward any intrepid (and thirsty) traveler.

1. Candelaria

Bar, Restaurant, French

Sometimes the first thing to do when seeking out a secret bar is to familiarize yourself with the immediate surroundings. In this case, access to the cocktail bar is through a door at the back of a bustling Mexican taquería. Resist the temptation to stop to sample the tacos and tostadas among the mainly expat clientele before heading through the door to a favorite hangout of Parisian hipsters. The cocktails are inventive and creative with a hint of luxury, try their Saintonge Spritz finished off with Drappier champagne.

2. Le Comptoir Général

Bar, Restaurant, French

Not so much hidden as just off the beaten track, Le Comptoir Général can be found by sneaking up an alleyway just by the Canal Saint Martin. The vast barn houses a light and airy venue with several unusually and eclectically furnished rooms and gardens. The décor, drinks and food change regularly, according to the theme of the temporary exhibition. You may be surrounded by all things Franco-African, or plunged back into your teenage years with Brat Pack films and old-school video games – but the laid-back and unpretentious vibe is a permanent feature.

3. Moonshiner

Bar, Cocktail Bar, Pub Grub

Another bar hiding through the back door of a restaurant, Moonshiner is slightly different. Pop into a tiny, but heaving, pizzeria,which, by the way, merits its own visit for its delicious Neapolitan-style pizzas, and, ignoring the sensation that you’re about to find yourself in the restaurant’s walk-in freezer, pull on the enormous metal door opposite the entrance. Having arrived in what looks remarkably like a store cupboard, pull on the next handle and step into this Prohibition-themed speakeasy. Think 1920s, art deco and Great Gatsby for the décor and ambiance, with equally stylish cocktails to match.

5. Orphée Privé

Bar, Pub Grub

Posing as the ground floor apartment just down the hill from the Moulin Rouge, Orphée Privé is a haven of cool and glamour, amid other somewhat shady establishments in the immediate vicinity. Made up of just a narrow bar area, think classy galley kitchen, one room and a fumoir, space is limited, and on weekends it is soon packed from wall to velvet-lined wall. During the week, though, its regulars fit in comfortably on the plush sofas to catch open mic events, hip piano recitals and sometimes even impromptu tap dance improvisations.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.