Paris
The natural-wine wave reshaped Paris's wine bars — these are the ten worth a Friday evening. The wine bars on this list span every neighbourhood worth a trip — the central districts all show up — and every price tier from a $5 local pour to a $25 hotel-bar tasting. Each bar earns its spot for a different reason. We have visited every one.
THE CENTRE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Bonhomie is the casual neighbourhood natural wine bar that the 10th needed. The room is small and unfussy — bare wood, exposed brick, a long bar — and the wine . Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
11E · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
BapBap Brewery draws a steady local crowd in 11e. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
THE CENTRE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Calvados, fresh lemon, egg white, and a touch of honey. The house signature that reveals the bar's respect for French spirits and classic technique. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.
THE CENTRE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Candelaria opened in 2011 in a small Marais storefront. The front operates as a working taqueria — fresh tortillas, four taco options, mezcal flights. Walk thro. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.
5E · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Caveau de la Huchette draws a steady local crowd in 5e. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
THE CENTRE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Cherry Pulp opened in Pigalle in 2018 and has built a steady following among Paris cocktail enthusiasts. The room is small — 25 seats — and the bar is committed. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
THE CENTRE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Combat opened on rue de Belleville in 2017 and quickly built a reputation as one of the most thoughtful neighbourhood cocktail bars in Paris. The bar is women-l. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.
THE CENTRE · $$$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Cravan occupies a small art deco room in the 16th arrondissement. The interior is preserved 1930s — original mosaic floor, brass fittings, marble counter — and . Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.
THE CENTRE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Ambient. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
9E · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Dirty Dick draws a steady local crowd in 9e. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
Use this guide either as a single curated route through Paris or as a checklist to revisit over a long weekend. Reservations are flagged where they matter. Otherwise, walk in. Below: the ten wine bars that any serious drinker in Paris would tell you to put on the list.
Bonhomie is the casual neighbourhood natural wine bar that the 10th needed. The room is small and unfussy — bare wood, exposed brick, a long bar — and the wine . Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
BapBap Brewery draws a steady local crowd in 11e. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
Looking beyond Paris? See our guide to the best wine bars worldwide, or compare wine bars city by city.