A Night on the Town: The Ultimate Paris Bar Crawl

Start in Le Marais - Where History Meets Hipster

You don’t need a map to find the best bar crawl in Paris. You just need to start in Le Marais. This neighborhood used to be the city’s Jewish quarter, now it’s where locals go after work to unwind. Head to Le Comptoir Général first - it’s not a typical bar. It’s a jungle of vintage furniture, hanging plants, and mismatched chairs where you’ll hear French, Spanish, and English all at once. Order a Kir Royale - it’s cheap, sweet, and perfect for easing into the night. The staff don’t rush you. They’ll ask where you’re from. Answer honestly. You’ll get a free snack.

Walk five minutes to Bar des Musiciens. It’s tiny, dim, and always packed. No sign. Just a narrow door and the sound of jazz. This place has been open since 1978. The owner still plays vinyl on a turntable that’s older than most patrons. If you see a man in a beret nodding to a Miles Davis record, that’s him. He doesn’t speak English. But he’ll pour you a glass of natural wine and point to the next bar down the street.

Move to Saint-Germain-des-Prés - The Intellectual Hangout

Le Marais fades into Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where the air smells like espresso and old books. This is where Sartre and de Beauvoir argued philosophy over absinthe. Today, it’s where Parisians debate the latest film festival or the best croissant in the city. Start at La Coupole - yes, it’s touristy, but the terrace is still the best place to watch the sunset over the Luxembourg Gardens. Order a vermouth on ice. No one will judge you for being a beginner.

Then slip into Le Procope. It’s the oldest café in Paris, opened in 1686. The walls are lined with portraits of writers, actors, and revolutionaries. You won’t find a cocktail menu here. Just wine, beer, and the occasional Kir. Sit at the bar. Talk to the waiter. He’s been here 30 years. He’ll tell you which bar the real locals go to next - and it’s not on any guidebook.

Hit the Canal Saint-Martin - The Secret Spot

By now, your feet are tired. But the night isn’t over. Take the metro to Canal Saint-Martin. This is where young Parisians come to drink cheap wine from plastic cups while watching the boats drift under the bridges. The vibe here is loose, real, and unfiltered.

Stop at Le Perchoir - a rooftop bar with a view of the canal and the city skyline. It’s not fancy. The chairs are mismatched, the music is indie French pop, and the cocktails cost €8. Order the Canal Spritz - it’s made with local vermouth and grapefruit. You’ll see couples lying on the grass, friends sharing a bottle of rosé, and someone playing guitar on the steps. This is Paris after dark at its most human.

Walk along the canal to Bar de la Marine. It’s hidden behind a metal gate, no sign, just a flickering bulb. Inside, it’s all wooden crates, string lights, and a DJ spinning French house. The barkeep doesn’t speak English. He doesn’t need to. He knows your drink before you ask. One shot of gin, one lime, no ice. You’ll leave with a buzz and a smile.

End in Oberkampf - Where the Party Gets Real

By midnight, you’re ready for something louder. Oberkampf is the last stop. This neighborhood used to be gritty. Now it’s where the city’s creative class lets loose. Bars here don’t care if you’re dressed up. They care if you’re having fun.

Start at Bar du Marché. It’s a tiny spot with a chalkboard menu and no menu at all. Just ask what’s on tap. The answer is always something unexpected - a sour beer from Normandy, a cider made from wild apples, a zero-proof aperitif with elderflower. The bartender will pour you a taste. If you like it, you keep it. If not, you try the next one. No pressure.

Then walk to La Chambre aux Oiseaux. It’s a speakeasy hidden behind a bookshelf. You need to knock three times. A woman in a velvet dress opens the door. Inside, it’s all velvet curtains, candlelight, and jazz standards. The cocktails are crafted like poetry. Try the Parisian Noir - blackberry, bourbon, and a drop of smoked salt. It tastes like a rainy night in Paris.

What to Know Before You Go

Paris bars don’t close at 2 a.m. like in New York or London. Most stay open until 4 a.m. Some until 5. But they don’t serve food after midnight. If you’re hungry, grab a kebab from La Grecque on Rue des Rosiers - it’s open all night and the best in the city.

Bring cash. Many small bars still don’t take cards. €100 is enough for the whole night, including snacks. Don’t expect happy hours. Parisians don’t do discounts. But they do offer free tap water - always ask for une carafe d’eau.

Don’t rush. Parisian nights aren’t about hopping from club to club. They’re about lingering. Sipping. Talking. The best memories aren’t made in loud rooms with flashing lights. They’re made in quiet corners, over shared bottles, with strangers who become friends by sunrise.

Bar Crawl Map (In Order)

1. Le Comptoir Général - Le Marais
2. Bar des Musiciens - Le Marais
3. La Coupole - Saint-Germain-des-Prés
4. Le Procope - Saint-Germain-des-Prés
5. Le Perchoir - Canal Saint-Martin
6. Bar de la Marine - Canal Saint-Martin
7. Bar du Marché - Oberkampf
8. La Chambre aux Oiseaux - Oberkampf

What Not to Do

Don’t ask for a “martini” unless you want a confused look. Parisians don’t drink them the way Americans do. If you want gin and vermouth, say “un gin tonic” or “un cocktail avec du gin”.

Don’t try to flirt with the bartender. They’ve heard it all. And they’re not interested in tourists who think Paris is a movie set.

Don’t wear sneakers with a suit. It’s not a fashion statement - it’s a mistake. Parisians dress for the night. Even if it’s just jeans and a turtleneck, they look intentional.

Why This Crawl Works

This isn’t a checklist. It’s a rhythm. You start quiet, then get louder. You move from history to hidden spots to raw energy. Each bar tells a different story. Le Comptoir Général is about curiosity. Le Perchoir is about beauty. La Chambre aux Oiseaux is about mystery. And Bar de la Marine? It’s about belonging.

Paris doesn’t have one nightlife. It has dozens - layered, quiet, loud, old, new. This crawl gives you a taste of each. You won’t see every bar. But you’ll feel the pulse of the city after dark.

What Comes After

If you’re still awake at 5 a.m., walk to Le Pain Quotidien on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine. They open at 6. Order a croissant and a café crème. Sit by the window. Watch the city wake up. The same people who were dancing last night are now buying bread. The same streets that echoed with music are now quiet. That’s Paris. It never sleeps - but it knows when to rest.