France is among the greatest drinking countries in the world, responsible for producing the likes of champagne, cognac, absinthe, chartreuse, pastis, and others.
And Paris—the City of Lights and the country’s capital—is the best place to sample them all, with beautiful bars and restaurants hiding in every arrondissement.
To find out where to go for the best of the best, we talked to Anthony Poncier and Mel Harvey from the internet’s most aesthetically pleasing (and thorough) drinks blog and Instagram account, Le Cocktail Connoisseur.
Here are their expert recommendations:
Le Syndicat, 10th arrondissement
“This bar opened with a clear concept: fun cocktails using only French products and it works…this local neighborhood bar is going from strength to strength, which is reflected in their ranking in Worlds 50 Best Bars. Think Pandan-flavored helium balloons and drinking from the Eiffel Tower with banging tunes and friendly bartenders.”
51 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010
Little Red Door, 3rd arrondissement
“Another member of the Worlds 50 Best Bars alumni is this fabulous bar located in Le Marais. Little Red Door is one of the original cocktails bars in the city and they offer a super fun atmosphere, whilst serving quality cocktails. [It’s] party central, in a classic looking French cocktail bar, with some of the most comfortable bar chairs we’ve ever sat in.”
60 Rue Charlot, 75003
Bisou., 3rd arrondissement
“This is a bar with no menu and talented bartenders that create bespoke cocktails, based on your personal preferences. They only use seasonal produce, so citrus is replaced by citric acid and seasonal favorites, like their Melon Colada are just that: seasonal. The biggest plus of this bar (apart from the flamingo-clad toilet) is they have a terrace, which is a rare commodity in Paris.”
15 Boulevard du Temple, 75003
Café Moderne, 11th arrondissement
“This is actually a restaurant and bar, but is home to the French winner of World Class 2014 and the bar also produced the winner of Global World Class in 2016. Not only are the cocktails delicious, but if you are in need of sustenance we think they serve the best burgers in Paris.”
19 Rue Keller, 75011
Combat, 19th arrondissement
“Finally a bar in Paris owned and run by women—and it’s bloody good too. Passionate about local, seasonal produce with an ever-changing menu, this local bar in Belleville is one of the latest on the scene. The new hangout for Parisian hipsters, it’s definitely a place to check out.”
63 Rue de Belleville, 75019