Where Are the Best Bars in Paris? A Local-Style Guide for Tourists

Where are the best bars in Paris?
They’re not all in one street, one district, or one vibe. The best bars in Paris are spread across neighborhoods, each offering a different atmosphere—from classy cocktail lounges to chaotic late-night dives.

This guide breaks down where to go, what to expect, and who each area is best for, so you don’t end up sipping a €16 cocktail wondering why everyone looks bored.

Welcome to nightlife in Paris.

Le Marais: Trendy, Social, and Always Busy

If someone asks where are the best bars in Paris for atmosphere, the answer often starts here.

Le Marais is stylish without trying too hard. It’s one of the most popular nightlife areas for both locals and visitors, with a strong LGBTQ+ scene, great cocktails, and busy streets almost every night of the week.

Why Le Marais Works

High concentration of quality bars
Lively but not trashy
Easy to bar-hop on foot

What You’ll Find

Creative cocktail bars
Wine bars with character
Energetic crowd, especially on weekends

Le Marais is perfect if you want social energy, good drinks, and no commitment to staying out until sunrise.

Oberkampf & Bastille: Affordable, Loud, and Late

If budget matters and bedtime does not, this is your zone.

The Oberkampf and Bastille areas are famous for their cheap drinks, young crowd, and late nights. It’s not polished, but it’s fun—and often chaotic in a good way.

Why This Area Is Popular

Lower drink prices
Packed streets full of bars
Very social, very loud

What You’ll Find

Dive bars
Music bars
Standing-room-only energy

If you’re asking where are the best bars in Paris for partying, this area is a strong answer.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Classy and Classic

This is old-school Paris nightlife. Elegant, calm, and unapologetically refined.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the nearby Latin Quarter offer bars where conversation matters more than volume. Think wine, cocktails, and people who don’t shout over the music.