A night out in Paris is bound to be magical. Prohibition never came to French shores, but the air of mystery, glamor, and creative luxury that people seek out of speakeasies have always been a part of French nightlife.
In many of the bars listed below, mocktails are also offered, so designated drivers won’t be excluded. Behind the doors of laundromats, former brothels or in hidden basements, are the best speakeasies in Paris and how to get into them.
Image Credit and Location: Maison Souquet, Paris, France.
The best speakeasy bars in Paris
Maison Souquet
Closest station: A two-minute walk from Blanche
A short distance from the iconic Moulin Rouge and located in a Gilded Age brothel, this five-star hotel also hosts a mysterious yet cozy bar with a big fireplace, exquisite woodwork, and delicate paintings.
The cocktail menu pays homage to Maison Souquet’s former life by naming drinks after famous courtesans. You can enjoy the “company” of Gisele, Celestine, or Louise. The drinks prices are on the higher end, but the quality will impress.
Le Syndicat
Closest station: A four-minute walk from Château d’Eau
You might pass the storefront a few times before finding the entrance to this bar, which often appears on the world’s best bars lists.
Le Syndicat, literally “the Union”, has a longer self-described name: Organisation de Défense des Spiritueux Français, or the Organization for the Defense of French Spirits. This place is indeed a passionate pitch for high-quality French spirits like Armagnac, Cognac, Chartreuse, and many others.
Image Credit and Location: Lavomatic, Paris, France.
Lavomatic
Closest station: A three-minute walk from République
The key to getting into this secret bar is to find the fake washing machine in this real laundromat, which will lead you to an unconventional speakeasy accessed by a dainty spiral staircase.
Lavomatic is both eclectic and welcoming. A big plus? Its cocktails are generally affordable.
Inside, the pop-colored sofas and two swings make for a playful and relaxed atmosphere. After all, who said secrecy had to be serious? And if you end up spilling something on your clothes, all the other machines are fully functioning.
Image Credit and Location: Mobster Bar, Paris, France.
Mobster Bar
Closest stations: A two-minute walk from Filles du Calvaire or Oberkampf
To enter Mobster Bar, you must pick up the handset at the 1920s phone booth. Listen carefully to get the code that’ll grant you access to the speakeasy. Don’t worry, the riddle isn’t too hard.
Once inside, you’ll step into the Prohibition era where reinvented classic drinks are creatively renamed, and carefully curated jazz tunes accompany intricate decorations.
Orphée
Closest station: A five-minute walk from Pigalle
After entering the building’s lobby, you’ll have to ring a mirror doorbell.
Inside, expect luxurious bohemian vibes, with a microphone and a piano people put to good use. Naturally, the place is named after Orpheus, a legendary ancient Greek musician. Orphée used to be a gay bar, and a favorite hangout spot for classic French director Jean Cocteau.
The barman can be picky and tends to prefer the regulars, so come earlier in the week to make sure you don’t leave Paris without experiencing it.
Image Credit: Jérôme Galland. Image Location: No Entry, Paris, France.
No Entry
Closest station: A three-minute walk from Pigalle
Descend into the basement of Pink Mama, a trendy Italian restaurant. Here, in the cold/freezer room behind a “No Entry” sign, you'll stumble upon a vibrant and whimsical bar.
As you step inside, you'll be enveloped by an intimate ambiance, complete with plush velvet couches and big floral carboys. Relax and savor expertly crafted cocktails that not only taste fantastic but also come with delightful and occasionally mischievous presentations.
Step into the Parisian speakeasy experience
Header Image Credit and Location: Mobster Bar, Paris, France.