Explore Hidden bars and Speakeasies in Paris

Paris saves some of its best nightspots behind restaurant kitchens, unmarked doors, and other playful barriers. This two-hour outing takes you from Place de la République to two or three speakeasy-style bars, including venues that may be invitation-only or reached through a secret entrance.

I like the small group of up to seven, which makes it easier to chat with the guide and other people. I also like the flexible finish: you can treat the tour as a gentle start to your evening, then stay at the bars or continue on your own using the extra addresses your guide provides.

The main catch is cost control. The $33.79 price covers entry, not drinks or food, and three cocktails can quickly cost more than the tour itself. Your experience may also depend on the guide assigned, since the hosts bring different personalities to the evening.

Key points at a glance

• Three bars may fit into two hours: The plan is two or three speakeasies, with about an hour at the first stop and a six-minute walk to the next.
• Secret entrances are part of the fun: You might pass through a restaurant kitchen or another concealed doorway to reach the bar.
• Guides shape the night: Marc, Natalia, Felix, Dadhet, and Zyad have all led outings, with strong praise for their friendliness and local tips.
• Drinks are extra: Entry is free at the included venues, but cocktails, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, and food are purchased separately.
• It works well for solo visitors: The group is small enough to meet people without the feel of a large pub crawl.
• You get future addresses: The guide shares locations of other Paris speakeasies for another night.

Starting near Place de la République

The evening begins near Place de la République, a useful central meeting area in the 11th arrondissement. Your booking information gives the meeting point as V987+XF Paris, so check the exact map pin and directions before setting out. The activity ends back at the meeting point, according to the listed plan.

This is a walking night, not a sightseeing tour with major monuments. You are here for Paris after dark, when a plain doorway can lead somewhere far more interesting than its exterior suggests. The first bar is described as the host’s favorite local spot, and you spend about an hour there before moving on.

That first hour matters. It gives the guide time to introduce the group, explain the local bar scene, and help you settle into the evening. It also keeps the pace from becoming a frantic race between drinking stops.

The walk to the next bar takes about six minutes. That short distance is useful after a drink, and it keeps the route compact. You do not lose half the night crossing Paris on the Metro.

Secret doors and restaurant kitchens

The appeal here is the way you enter. Some venues have concealed entrances, and one outing included a route through a restaurant kitchen to reach a bar tucked behind it. Another account described a speakeasy concealed inside another speakeasy.

That is the sort of small surprise that gives the night its character. The bars are not presented as grand historic sights. Instead, the pleasure comes from finding them, learning how they operate, and seeing a side of Paris you could easily miss while following the usual restaurant lists.

Do keep your expectations sensible. The word speakeasy can suggest a fully secret, forbidden club. Here, it means bars with concealed entrances, unusual layouts, and a sense of discovery. Some may feel intimate and atmospheric; others may feel more like fashionable cocktail bars with a clever door.

The venues are said to offer cocktails, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, music, and a good social setting. The exact mix depends on the stops that night. One group found light appetizers available for purchase at the final venue, but food is not part of the tour price.

What happens inside the two or three bars

The plan includes visits to two or three speakeasies, with free admission to each venue. The guide handles the route and introduces the stops, so you are not left guessing which door to open or how to approach a bar that may be expecting the group.

The first stop is the longest, at roughly one hour. That gives you time to order a drink and talk rather than simply arrive, take a photo, and leave. The group can then walk to another bar, with a possible third stop during the remaining time.

Several accounts describe reserved space waiting for the group. That is an important practical benefit in Paris, where a small bar can fill quickly. Still, a reserved area does not mean you get a private room or a full bar takeover. You are sharing the setting with other people.

The drinks are a major part of the appeal. The bars serve cocktails with unusual twists, and the hosts can suggest what to order. You should not assume every stop will suit your taste, though. If you do not drink alcohol, non-alcoholic options are available, but you will still pay for them.

The evening is not built around sampling a fixed menu. You choose and buy your own drinks at each bar. That gives you control, but it also means the final bill varies widely. A person ordering beer or one cocktail will spend much less than someone ordering a cocktail at every stop.

The guides make the difference

The guide is more than a person who points toward the next doorway. Marc has been described as funny, punctual, and able to move between English and French. Natalia is praised for keeping conversation easy and engaging. Felix is known for a friendly manner and for making people feel comfortable in an unfamiliar city.

Dadhet, whose name is pronounced roughly Da Day, has led groups through three bars and helped people choose drinks. Zyad has also hosted the experience. The common thread is a relaxed style, local suggestions, and help finding more places after the tour.

That personal touch is valuable if you have just arrived in Paris. You can ask for ideas for the rest of your night, and the host shares additional speakeasy addresses for future visits. It is a practical way to build a short list without spending your first evening searching online.

There is one caution. One person found a guide’s questions and personal conversation intrusive, especially while traveling alone. That appears to be an exception among otherwise positive comments, but it is worth remembering that guide style can vary. If you prefer a quiet, strictly professional escort, this social format may feel more informal than you want.

A good choice for solo evenings and first nights

I see three especially good uses for this activity.

First, it works for solo visitors who want company without signing up for a huge pub crawl. The maximum group size is seven, and several outings brought people together in a relaxed way. You can meet others, share a table, and still leave when the scheduled portion ends.

Second, it suits couples or families with older children who want a different evening activity. One group of a parent and two daughters found the bars varied enough to make the night feel special. Of course, alcohol is optional, and non-alcoholic drinks are available, but this remains an evening bar experience rather than a general family tour.

Third, it makes a useful first-night plan. You may be tired or jet-lagged, yet still want to get out. The guide removes the work of choosing a neighborhood and locating the doors. After two hours, you can decide if you want to stay out or call it a night.

The activity also works for repeat visitors to Paris. If you have already seen many museums and churches, an evening spent seeking out unusual bars offers a fresh change. It may appeal less to someone who already knows Paris’s cocktail scene well and expects truly obscure places rather than polished venues aimed partly at visitors.

The real price of a $33.79 evening

At $33.79 per person, the tour price is reasonable if you value planning, introductions, and access to multiple venues. Free entry at all stops helps, especially if one or more bars normally charge at the door. You are paying for the route, the host, and the social setting more than for drinks.

The extra spending needs a clear warning. Alcoholic drinks and food are not included. Three cocktails can turn an affordable outing into a costly night, while one drink at each stop is still a meaningful addition to the base price.

You can manage the cost by deciding in advance how many drinks you want. Beer and non-alcoholic choices may give you more control, and you can simply enjoy the atmosphere without ordering at every stop. Ask the guide or bartender about prices before ordering if your budget is tight.

The value is strongest when you would otherwise spend the evening hunting for these places yourself. It is weaker if you already know several Paris cocktail bars or mainly want a cheap night out. This is a guided introduction, not an all-inclusive bar package.

Timing, pace, and what to wear

The scheduled experience lasts about two hours, but you are welcome to remain at the bars as long as you like. That makes the tour flexible. You can leave after the planned stops, stay for another drink, or use the guide’s extra recommendations to continue elsewhere.

The evening starts at a set time, so arrive ready to walk. The route includes at least one six-minute walk and may involve moving through busy streets after dark. Wear shoes you can comfortably use for a short urban walk.

The tour is offered in English. The guides may also speak French, and Marc has been noted for switching between both languages when needed. The setting is social, so come prepared to talk with the guide and the rest of the group rather than treating this as a silent tasting.

Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. No special fitness level is stated, but you should be comfortable standing, walking between bars, and spending time in nightlife settings.

Why the small group matters

A group capped at seven changes the feel of the evening. You can ask about the bars, hear suggestions for drinks, and keep track of everyone during the short walks. It also makes it easier for solo visitors to join conversations.

Small groups do not guarantee instant friendship. Much depends on the people booked that night. Still, the format gives you a better chance to meet others than an independent bar visit, while avoiding the noise and rigid structure of a large nightlife group.

The guide can also adjust the conversation to the group. Past outings included people on their first Paris visit, repeat visitors, couples, and solo adults. That mix can make the night more interesting, although it may also mean different expectations about drinking and pace.

Is it really an invitation-only experience?

The description says the outing may include access to some invitation-only bars. Treat that as a possibility, not a promise that every stop is a private club. The included venues can have secret doors and concealed rooms, but the exact bars are not specified in advance.

That uncertainty is part of the format. You do not receive a fixed list of venues before the evening, and the route may change depending on conditions. If you need to know the exact bars before paying, this activity may frustrate you.

For most people, not knowing is the point. You get the reveal at the door, then learn where the place is so you can return later. The host also provides other addresses, which adds value beyond the scheduled two hours.

Weather and cancellation rules

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. It can also be canceled if the minimum number of people is not met, with the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

Your own booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That makes date selection important. Do not book this as a loose backup plan unless you are certain you can attend.

The activity is often booked about 22 days ahead, so popular evening times may fill. If your preferred hour appears full, the operator says you can send a message, since the bars themselves have room for many people. That does not guarantee a place, but it is worth asking before abandoning the date.

Should you book Hidden Bars and Speakeasies in Paris?

Book it if you want a social, low-effort night with unusual entrances, two or three bar stops, and a guide who can point you toward more places afterward. It is especially useful for solo visitors, first-time Paris visitors, and repeat visitors who want something beyond the standard sightseeing list.

The strongest reasons to go are the group size, the guide’s local suggestions, and the chance to enter bars you might not find on your own. The strongest reasons to hesitate are the extra drink costs, the variable guide personality, and the fact that the bars may feel more stylish than truly secret.

I would book it early in a Paris stay, when the extra addresses can guide later evenings. Budget separately for drinks, arrive ready to walk, and confirm the meeting pin near Place de la République. If that sounds like your kind of night, $33.79 buys a useful introduction to Paris after dark.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts near Place de la République in Paris. The meeting point is listed as V987+XF Paris, so check the supplied map details before leaving.

How long does the activity last?

The scheduled experience lasts about two hours. You may stay at the bars longer if you wish.

How many speakeasy bars are included?

The tour includes visits to two or three speakeasy bars.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included. Beer and non-alcoholic drinks must also be purchased separately.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, though light appetizers may be available to buy at one of the bars.

Is entry to the bars included?

Yes. Entry to all included venues is free.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English. Some guides may also speak French.

How large is the group?

The activity has a maximum of seven participants.

Does the tour end at the same place?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Poor weather can cause cancellation. In that case, you are offered a different date or a full refund.