Le Marais in Paris has some of the most lively, friendly and diverse array of bars in the city and our insider guide has the best spots in the area. Read on if you want to drink amongst locals and enjoy the quirky side of the real, modern Paris.
After sightseeing during the day, you’ll want to find somewhere to have a refreshing drink. There’s plenty of amazing classic French cafés to sit at people watch just like in the rest of the city. But where are the cool, interesting spots that real locals go to? Read on to discover my favourite bars in the Marais (from someone who actually lives in Paris!). Bars are listed in no particular order.
Psst. Feeling hungry? Check out my guide to the Best Restaurants in Le Marais.
Café Charlot
On the bustling street of rue de Bretagne lies Café Charlot. One of the most popular bars on the street, Café Charlot has seduced both the local crowds and visiting tourists alike. With its original iron storefront facade still in place, it’s a seriously cool yet hyper traditional kind of bar.
Originally a boulangerie, the inside was transformed into a traditional Parisian café with dark leather banquettes and a stunning aged, wooden bar counter. Their outside terrace gets extremely popular in the warmer months so you’ll need to arrive early during peak times to get a spot.
Prices are on the higher side for certain drinks (€10 for a pint of lager) although their wines by the glass are much more reasonable. They also have decent food served non-stop throughout the day.
What to know before you visit
- Open daily from 8am-2am
- Food is served all day
- Terrace can get full early on during peak weekend times
Address: 38 Rue de Bretagne, 75003
Tel: 04 91 59 25 92
Website: https://www.lecharlot-paris.com
Candelaria
The Candelaria is an incredible speakeasy that is very much the definition of a hidden gem. Nestled behind the tiny, unassuming and very good taqueria, the bar brings some incredible Mexican inspired cocktails to Paris.
I say hidden gem because, as any good speakeasy is, it’s not easy to find. You’ll arrive at the address to find a bright neon sign in a brightly lit nondescript restaurant. Go to the back of the restaurant and you’ll find a plain white door – that’s the entrance.
Gem? Yep, it’s really good. Their craft cocktails are all in-house creations and made with high-end ingredients. They’re relatively simple but pack a lot of punch. Smokey notes come from agave syrups infused with (I’d imagine) dried Mexican chillis. They’re well balanced, classy and utterly delicious.
What to know before visiting
- They don’t take reservations
- Open every day until 2am
- Arrive early on weekends to get a table – or expect to queue!
Address: 52 Rue de Saintonge, 75003
Website: http://www.candelaria-paris.com/
Le Saint-Gervais
If you’re looking for an old-school, no frills local bar where you’ll drink with a really cool crowd, then Le Saint-Gervais is for you. During Paris fashion weeks you’ll find the bar filled with industry types and locals drinking late into the night.
During the day their outdoor terrace is a great spot for getting a quick drink whilst people watching in the sun. The prices are reasonable for the area – €7.50 for a pint of lager €8.50 for an apérol spritz. They also serve a very limited amount of food (the menu changes frequently) but expect to be able to order a Croque Monsieur & Confit duck leg.
What to know before you visit
- You can reserve tables online
- Open until 2am everyday
Address: 96 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75003
Tel: 01 42 78 99 53
Website: https://lesaintgervais.fr/en/
The Cambridge Public House
Whilst an English style pub might not be your first thought when searching for a bar in one of the trendiest areas of Paris, The Cambridge Public House is incredible.
Don’t let the traditional English pub vibe fool you, it’s a seriously good bar that made the Top 50 World Wide Bar list. Yes it’s like a pub but their main focus is craft cocktails with some very good (and legit) English pub food.
It’s small, moody and in the evenings, dimly lit – pure cocktail bar right? Well there’s also a huge screen to watch matches and they’ve got Guinness and a locally brewed craft IPA on tap. Ok yes, it’s a bit confusing.
That said, their in-house cocktails are awesome, fun and play with your palate. They use sous-vide infusions combined with the best spirits to create some very memorable drinks. Feeling peckish? Try their sausage roll. Might seem odd with a cocktail but just like the bar, it just works.
What to know before you visit
- Open daily from 3pm-1am
- Food is served all day
- You can and will need to reserve in advance (you can online)
Address: 38 Rue de Bretagne, 75003
Tel: 01 43 36 86 60
Website: https://thecambridge.paris
Café La Perle
Just down the road from Le Saint-Gervais, you’ll find a gem of a bar, La Perle. It’s another great spot where, no matter the time of the day, you’ll find the trendy crowd from the Marais. An extremely LGBT friendly bar, it’s a great spot to grab a glass of wine, sit on their terrace and watch the world go by.
It’s also extremely central; located on the crossroads of Rue Vielle-du-Temple and Rue de la Perle, it’s close to many of the best shopping areas and museums. The bar serves up classic cocktails, wine, champagne and Peroni (lager) on tap.
They’ve also got a small kitchen serving up really good wood fired pizza & other bar snacks. Worth noting that it can get lively in the evening when the music gets cranked up and bar gets packed out.
What to know before you visit
- Open until 2am everyday
Address: 78 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75003
Tel: 01 42 78 99 53
Website: https://cafelaperle.com
Brewdog Marais
If you’re a craft beer fan then the Brewdog bar in the Marais is for you. They’ve got over 15 craft beers on tap with 10 in house brews and 5 guest beers. The industrial-chic with exposed stone walls and iron accents is very much reminiscent of bars that you’d find outside of France.
It has a friendly, pub style atmosphere with pub quizzes organised every Tuesday. During the warmer months their small terrace allows you to sip on your craft beer with a view out onto the quiet surrounding streets. They’ve also got solid stone baked pizzas if you’re hungry.
What to know before you visit
- English speaking friendly
- You can reserve tables
Address: 1 Pl. de Thorigny, 75003
Tel: 09 88 03 27 03
Website: https://www.brewdog.com/uk/brewdog-lemarais
Le Pick Clops
Le Pick Clops is a retro bar located on the South side of the Marais. Its bight yellow and blue facade is inviting as well as its 50s style diner interior. It’s, like many bars in this list, a really friendly neighbourhood bar that’s always filled with locals and curious tourists. Their terrace is large and a perfect spot to grab a morning coffee, afternoon drink or weekend brunch. Their food is all home made and you’ll often see great apéro food like mozzarella sticks, duck rillettes and oysters.
What to know before you visit
- You can’t reserve
- Open until 2am every day
Address: 16 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75004
Tel: 01 40 29 02 18
Website: https://www.instagram.com/lepickclops/
Le Mary Celeste
Le Mary Celeste can be found at the end of Rue de Bretagne on a charming street corner off the crossroads adjacent to Rue de Vielle-du-Temple. It’s an awesome craft cocktail and natural wine bar with some very well prepared small sharing plates.
Started by the team behind the Candelaria, the Mary Celeste has got an equally as amazing drinks list with some great unique cocktails and superb rare natural wine by the glass. In the evening it can get lively so make sure to arrive on the earlier side if you want to grab a seat.
What to know before you visit
- Closes between lunch and evening but then open until 2am every day
- You can reserve tables online
Address: 1 Rue Commines, 75003
Website: https://www.lemaryceleste.com
