My Favourite Bars in Paris (ranked in order)

1. Bar Nouveau: 2 bars at two levels that are inverted reflections of each other. Great cocktails upstairs in an Art Nouveau inspired tiny bar. The same drinks reimagined downstairs in terms of flavour, form, texture in a post modern lab. Mark is a genius. Special shout out for Sarah
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Castor Club: One of the oldest speakeasies in France. Super technical drinks. American country western vibe that shouldn’t work but is unforgettable. Very small. And zero fucks given about marketing and awards.
   
   
   
   
   
    
3. L’Avant Comptoir de la Terre: French wine and tapas bar. Standing room only. Super atmospheric. Amazing food. Superb wine. 
   
   
   
4. Moonshiner: Hidden behind a pizzeria, I loved the mad Italians behind the bar, the savoury and aged cocktails, and the wonderful service. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Little Red Door (only because I’ve not visited since new management took over). It used to be the best bar in Paris. But the founders and team have sold out and dispersed. 
6. Mezcalaria: Mezcal and tequila focused speakeasy that pulls off a Mexican bar with Japanese influenced drinks. The mezcal martini is superb. And Parsae is just a wonderful host. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   
7. Istr: Oysters. Polish vodka. Soy. Tomato juice. As a shot. And chased with champagne. How can I not love this? 
   
   
8. Mary Celeste: Casual wine and cocktail bar. Have the oysters and whelk. It’s the food that makes the vibe. 
9. Combat: Grungy bar in a working class neighbourhood with a female founder and an all woman team.
   
   
   
   
   
   Wonderful, neighbourhood cocktail bar. 
10. Cravan: Four floors, four different vibes. From sexy art deco to a salon to a library. 
    
    
    
11. Candeleria: Legendary speakeasy behind a taco shop. Very elegant and I love how you can see outside but no one realises there’s a speakeasy behind the window. 
12. Cambridge Public House: Casual, almost pub like with sophisticated drinks. 
13. La Malicia: The speakeasy inside a speakeasy. You walk in through a cupboard in Mezcalaria to enter a bar that celebrates hedonism and surrealism, like a Dionysian parlour.
    
    
    
14. Le Syndicat: Grungy, high energy. Probably the most buzzing bar in Paris.