Start in Le Marais - Where the Night Begins
Forget the tourist traps near Notre-Dame. If you want to feel like a local on a Parisian night out, begin in Le Marais. This historic neighborhood turns into a buzzing mix of queer-friendly lounges, hidden speakeasies, and wine bars with no signs on the door. Head to Le Comptoir du Relais - a tiny, standing-room-only spot with a chalkboard menu and a bartender who remembers your name by the second round. Order a glass of natural wine - maybe a crisp Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire - and watch the crowd shift from late-dinner diners to people ready to dance.
Don’t rush. Le Marais isn’t about hitting ten bars in two hours. It’s about savoring the rhythm. Walk three blocks to Bar des Musiciens, where jazz plays softly in the background and the gin cocktails are made with house-infused botanicals. Locals know this place because it doesn’t have a website. That’s the rule here: the best spots don’t advertise.
Move to Saint-Germain-des-Prés - The Intellectual Edge
By 10 p.m., cross the Seine to Saint-Germain-des-Prés. This area still carries the ghost of Sartre and de Beauvoir, but now the conversations are about vinyl records and craft beer. Stop at Le Procope for a quick digestif - it’s the oldest café in Paris, opened in 1686. The interior feels like a museum, but the crowd is young, loud, and full of energy.
Then head to Bar Hemingway at the Ritz. Yes, it’s expensive - a cocktail runs €22 - but it’s worth it. The bartenders here trained under the legendary Harry Craddock. Order a Dry Martini, stirred, not shaken. They’ll make it with precision. You’re not just drinking; you’re tasting history. If the price makes you flinch, step outside and walk to Le Caveau de la Huchette, a jazz cellar where the music starts at 11 p.m. and doesn’t stop until 3 a.m. No one speaks English here. No one needs to. The saxophone says everything.
Hit the Canal Saint-Martin - The Cool Kids’ Hangout
By midnight, make your way to the Canal Saint-Martin. This is where Parisians go when they’re done with the polished vibe of the Left Bank. The air smells like rain and grilled cheese. Bars here are casual, loud, and full of people in sneakers and vintage jackets. Le Perchoir is the spot - a rooftop bar with a view of the water, string lights, and a playlist that mixes French indie and old-school hip-hop. Bring cash. They don’t take cards after 1 a.m.
Next door, Bar du Marché serves cheap beer in plastic cups and has a back room where people dance on wooden crates. It’s messy. It’s real. You’ll see a group of students singing along to Johnny Hallyday, an elderly man in a beret sipping red wine, and a couple kissing under a flickering lamp. This isn’t curated. It’s alive.
End in Oberkampf - Where the Night Gets Wild
After 2 a.m., the energy shifts again. Take the metro to Oberkampf, the neighborhood that never sleeps. This is where the party turns into a rave. La Belle Hortense is a cult favorite - a bar with a secret backroom that turns into a dance floor on weekends. The crowd is mixed: artists, DJs, expats, and locals who’ve been coming here since the 90s. The music? Everything from electro-swing to techno. No one checks IDs after midnight. The bouncer just smiles and says, “Tu es déjà là, non?”
Don’t miss Le Baron if you’re feeling bold. It’s a velvet-draped, dimly lit club that feels like a secret society. Entry is selective - they don’t let just anyone in. But if you’re dressed well, confident, and not trying too hard, they’ll wave you through. Inside, the lighting changes every song. The cocktails are named after French poets. The dance floor is packed, but no one cares if you can’t dance. You’re here to feel something.
What to Wear, What to Bring
Parisians dress for the night. No flip-flops. No hoodies. No baseball caps. Even in winter, people wear tailored coats, boots, and scarves. You don’t need designer labels - just clean, simple clothes that look intentional. Men: dark jeans, button-down shirt, leather shoes. Women: a little black dress or high-waisted pants with a silk top. No sneakers unless they’re white and spotless.
Bring only what you need: ID, cash (many bars stop taking cards after 2 a.m.), and one credit card for emergencies. Leave your backpack at the hotel. Carry a small clutch or crossbody bag. Paris has pickpockets, especially near metro exits and crowded bars.
When to Go, When to Leave
The bar crawl works best if you start at 8 p.m. and end by 4 a.m. Parisians don’t party until 1 a.m. - they sip, talk, and linger. If you arrive at 11 p.m. at a bar and it’s empty, you’re early. If you’re still at 5 a.m., you’re either very lucky or very tired.
Don’t try to rush. Paris isn’t Vegas. There’s no “last call” at 2 a.m. - bars close when the staff decides they’ve had enough. Some stay open until 6 a.m. Others shut down at 1 a.m. It’s unpredictable. That’s part of the charm.
What Not to Do
- Don’t ask for a “long island iced tea.” No one makes it here.
- Don’t speak loudly in French unless you’re fluent. Most Parisians will switch to English, but they’ll notice your accent - and they’ll remember it.
- Don’t take photos inside bars without asking. Some places have rules. Others just hate it.
- Don’t order a bottle of wine and expect to share it. In Paris, wine is served by the glass. Sharing a bottle looks like you’re trying to save money - and that’s not the vibe.
- Don’t expect to find a kebab at 4 a.m. Paris doesn’t do late-night fast food. If you’re hungry, grab a croissant from a boulangerie open 24/7 - like Boulangerie Utopie near Canal Saint-Martin.
Final Tip: Let the Night Guide You
The best Paris bar crawl isn’t planned. It’s stumbled into. You might follow a group of people laughing outside a bar you didn’t know existed. You might get lost on a side street and end up in a basement jazz club where the piano player knows every song from Edith Piaf’s catalog. That’s the magic. You don’t need a map. You need curiosity.
Paris doesn’t want you to party like a tourist. It wants you to feel like you belong - even if just for one night.
Is it safe to go out in Paris at night?
Yes, most areas popular with nightlife - Le Marais, Saint-Germain, Oberkampf, Canal Saint-Martin - are very safe at night. Stick to well-lit streets, avoid isolated alleys after 2 a.m., and keep your belongings close. Pickpockets operate near metro stations and crowded bars, so stay aware. Don’t flash cash or expensive phones. If you feel uncomfortable, walk toward a café or pharmacy - they’re open late and always have staff inside.
Do I need to make reservations for these bars?
Most small bars don’t take reservations. You just show up. But for places like Le Baron or Le Perchoir on weekends, lines can form. Arrive before 10 p.m. to avoid waiting. If you’re going to a popular spot during Paris Fashion Week or a holiday, call ahead. Otherwise, wing it. Part of the fun is the spontaneity.
What’s the average cost of a drink in Paris bars?
In a neighborhood bar, expect to pay €6-€9 for a beer or glass of wine. In tourist zones like Montmartre, it can jump to €12. At upscale spots like Bar Hemingway or Le Perchoir, cocktails range from €18 to €25. If you’re on a budget, ask for a “verre de vin du jour” - the house wine of the day - it’s often under €8 and surprisingly good.
Can I go to these bars alone?
Absolutely. Paris is one of the best cities in Europe for solo nightlife. Many bars have communal tables or counter seating. Bartenders are used to solo guests. Order a drink, strike up a conversation, and you’ll likely end up with new friends by midnight. Don’t be afraid to sit next to someone - it’s normal here.
Are there any bars that close early?
Yes. Some neighborhood bars shut down by 1 a.m., especially on weekdays. Others, like Le Comptoir du Relais, close when the last customer leaves - sometimes as late as 4 a.m. If you want to keep going, head to Oberkampf or the 10th arrondissement. Those areas have bars that stay open until 6 a.m. on weekends. Always check the sign outside - it usually says “Ouvert jusqu’à [time].”
