Explore Hidden bars and Speakeasies in Paris

Paris keeps some of its best nightspots behind unmarked doors, restaurant kitchens, and other playful entrances. This two-hour outing near Place de la République takes you to two or three speakeasy-style bars, with guides such as Marc, Natalia, Felix, and Dadhet leading the way.

I like the small group, limited to seven people, and the fact that you can stay at the bars after the official tour ends. I also like the practical follow-up: your guide shares locations for other secret bars, so the evening can become the first stop in a longer night out. The main drawback is cost control. The $33.79 fee covers entry and guiding, but every drink and any food are extra.

Key details before you book

• Two or three bars in about two hours: You begin near Place de la République and walk roughly six minutes between the first two stops.
• Secret entrances are part of the fun: One route may lead through a restaurant kitchen, while another bar can contain a second concealed room.
• Small groups make conversation easier: The maximum group size is seven, useful if you are traveling alone or prefer a calmer night.
• Guides vary, but several names recur: Marc, Natalia, Felix, and Dadhet are among the hosts praised for friendly conversation and local suggestions.
• Drinks are not included: Cocktails, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, and food must be paid for separately at the venues.
• You can keep the night going: The scheduled activity lasts about two hours, but you are welcome to remain at the bars afterward.

Starting near Place de la République

The meeting point is listed near Place de la République in the 11th arrondissement, a practical starting area with public transportation nearby. You receive confirmation when booking, and the activity is offered in English.

The opening stop is intended to set the tone. You spend about an hour at the first bar before walking around six minutes to the next venue. That is enough time to settle in, order a drink, and get acquainted with the group without rushing from one address to another.

The exact bars can vary, which is useful in a city with many small cocktail rooms and late-night venues. It also means you should not book this expecting a fixed museum-style route with the same stops every night. The point is the format: a local guide gets you through doors that can be easy to miss and keeps the evening moving.

Some entrances are deliberately discreet. You might enter through an ordinary-looking doorway or pass through a restaurant to reach a bar in the back. One particularly memorable route described by visitors involved going through a restaurant kitchen. Another evening included a second concealed room inside a speakeasy.

What the first bar adds to the evening

The first stop receives the longest portion of the scheduled time, around an hour. That matters because cocktails are not instant, and a good bar visit works better when you have time to talk rather than simply order, drink, and leave.

The venues may offer cocktails, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, music, and a relaxed atmosphere. The strongest praise centers on the drinks, with several people describing unusual cocktail twists and carefully made orders. You can ask your guide what to choose, particularly if you are unsure about French cocktail menus or want something less sweet, stronger, or alcohol-free.

Food is not included, and it is not guaranteed at every stop. One of the bars has been described as offering light appetizers for purchase, but you should not count on a full meal. Eat beforehand if you need dinner, or plan to order snacks when available.

This is also where the group size earns its keep. A maximum of seven people gives the guide room to talk with everyone. It is easier to ask about Paris nightlife, local neighborhoods, or the drinks themselves than it would be in a large pub crawl.

The short walk and the second bar

The walk to the next stop takes about six minutes. That is a modest distance, but it gives the evening a useful change of pace. You leave one setting, hear more neighborhood advice, and arrive at a bar with a different mood.

The second venue is not simply a repeat of the first. The bars have distinct atmospheres, and the appeal lies in comparing them. One might feel polished and cocktail-focused, while another may put more weight on music or a casual social setting. The precise mix depends on the evening.

Some groups visit three bars rather than two. A third stop may be added when timing allows, and one solo participant described receiving a bonus bar because the group had extra time. You should view the third venue as a welcome possibility, not a promise that every outing will follow the same schedule.

The arrangement works well as a night starter. You get enough structure to avoid wandering around Paris searching for a good bar, but you are not locked into a long dinner or a late-night party. After the scheduled portion, you can stay at the venues as long as you like, subject to the bars’ own service and closing arrangements.

The guides shape the experience

A large part of the value comes from the host. Marc is described as funny, prompt, and comfortable speaking both English and French. He also helped make the route approachable for people who did not speak French.

Natalia is praised for keeping conversation easy and entertaining. She has led relaxed evenings with two bars and an extra stop, and her groups have appreciated the welcoming feel. Felix is described as friendly, personable, and good at helping people feel comfortable in a new city.

Dadhet receives similar praise for smooth transitions between venues, drink suggestions, and local stories. He has also hosted groups visiting Paris many times, which makes this activity appealing even if you already know the major sights.

Those names are useful, but guide assignments can vary. You should book for the format rather than for one guaranteed host. The common thread is a social walk led in English, with local suggestions and help ordering at the bars.

There is one important caution. A single account describes a guide asking intrusive questions and making the evening uncomfortable, especially for a solo woman. That does not match the general pattern of a friendly, well-run outing, but it is worth noting. A good guide should help the group connect without making anyone feel pressured to discuss private matters.

Why the small group matters

The maximum is seven people, though one account describes a group of around seven or eight. Either way, this is far smaller than a typical pub crawl.

That size suits you if you want to meet people without being swept into a loud party. Several people booked alone and enjoyed meeting other members of the group. The setting gives you an easy way to start conversations, while the two-hour schedule keeps the evening from becoming too demanding.

It also helps with the bar entrances. A small party can gather discreetly, move through a narrow doorway, and settle into a reserved area more easily than a large crowd. Several accounts describe the bars expecting the group and having space ready, which helps the route stay on time.

This is not the best pick if your goal is a high-energy club night. The tone is closer to a relaxed evening of cocktails and conversation. You can keep drinking afterward, but the tour itself is designed to get you out into Paris without pushing you into an all-night event.

What the $33.79 price really covers

At $33.79 per person, the fee is reasonable if you value access and guidance more than included drinks. You are paying for the route, entry to two or three venues, a small group, and help finding places that may be difficult to identify on your own.

The price does not cover alcohol, soft drinks, cocktails, or food. That distinction is important. A few cocktails can quickly cost more than the booking fee, especially at specialty bars. Set your own spending limit before you begin, and ask the guide or bartender about prices if you are unsure.

The value is strongest for three types of people:

• Solo visitors who want company for an evening without joining a large party.
• First-time Paris night owls who want a simple route and local suggestions.
• Repeat Paris visitors who have already covered museums and churches and want a different side of the city.

If you already know the cocktail scene well, the route may feel more tourist-oriented. One account from someone familiar with Chicago nightlife found the experience less impressive than expected, though still considered the guide and social side worthwhile. Your expectations matter. This is an accessible introduction to Paris speakeasies, not a specialist bar industry tour.

Practical timing and planning advice

The official duration is about two hours, but the evening can continue at the bars afterward. The first venue takes roughly one hour, and the next bar is about a six-minute walk away. A third stop may be included depending on timing.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of participants, so a small booking may be canceled if that minimum is not met.

Your booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons, so choose your date carefully. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable walking between venues and spending time in bars.

The best time to schedule it is near the start of your Paris visit if you want ideas for later nights. Your guide shares addresses for other bars, and the evening can give you a useful sense of where to continue on your own. It also works late in a trip when you want something social but not another major sightseeing appointment.

The atmosphere: social, playful, and not too wild

The secret entrances create a sense of play without requiring a costume or a password. Finding a bar behind a kitchen or through an unmarked doorway gives the night a little theater.

The drinks are a major part of the appeal. Expect cocktails with unusual twists, plus beer and non-alcoholic choices. The music and mood vary by venue, so the route offers more contrast than sitting in one bar for the whole evening.

The group dynamic is just as important. You may meet couples, solo visitors, and friends looking for a different Paris activity. The format gives you a shared subject right away: where the next door leads and what to order once you get inside.

Still, this is a bar tour. If you dislike alcohol-focused settings, crowded rooms, or late-night socializing, the experience may not suit you even though non-alcoholic drinks are available. The tour is also less useful if you want a detailed architectural or historical walk through the 11th arrondissement.

Who should book this Paris night out?

I would choose this for a solo visit, a birthday evening, a first night in Paris, or a repeat visit when the usual monuments have lost their shine. It is especially helpful if you want to go out but do not want to plan every stop yourself.

Couples and small friend groups should like the reserved, guided format. You still have room to talk with each other, while the host handles the route and points out other places to try.

I would hesitate if your main aim is free drinks, a full dinner, or a fixed list of famous bars. None of those is promised. I would also be cautious about booking if your schedule cannot tolerate a possible change, since cancellations for personal reasons are not refundable.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want a low-pressure introduction to Paris nightlife, enjoy inventive drinks, and like the idea of finding bars through unusual entrances. The strongest reasons are the group size, the easy six-minute walk between early stops, the chance to visit three venues, and the practical list of places to try later.

Skip it if you expect drinks to be included or want a serious cocktail-industry tour. For most people, the $33.79 fee is fair when treated as the cost of access, guiding, and company, with drinks budgeted separately. It is a smart way to start a Paris evening, not a complete night out by itself.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts near Place de la République in Paris, in the 11th arrondissement. The exact meeting point is listed as V987+XF Paris.

How long does the experience last?

The scheduled experience lasts about two hours. You are welcome to stay at the bars after the official tour ends.

How many bars will I visit?

The tour includes visits to two or three speakeasy bars. A third stop may depend on the available time.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, and food are not included. You pay for them separately at the venues.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $33.79 per person.

What languages are offered?

The experience is offered in English. Some guides, including Marc, also speak French.

How large is the group?

The activity has a maximum of seven participants.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are also offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.