The Best Bars in Bastille, Paris
As the epicentre of the French Revolution and the birthplace of modern France, Bastille is an important location in the country’s cultural consciousness. Today, it’s home to incredible nightlife and some of the best bars in Paris. You won’t find a neighbourhood more dedicated to liberté, and what better way to celebrate freedom than with a drink or three? Santé!
1. Seek out Paris’s secret Moonshiner bar
Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, French, American
2. Go for a drink and nibbles at Septime La Cave
Bar, Wine Bar, Wine
Most of the patrons at Septime La Cave are waiting to be seated in the establishment’s sister restaurants Septime (which has become trendy since Beyoncé’s visit in 2013) or Clamato across the road on rue de Charonne, but the bar itself is a standout all on its own. The cool, slate-grey space is unpretentious yet refined, allowing the top-quality wines to take centre stage. Septime La Cave particularly embraces the French ritual of l’apéro; there are no big dishes here but a variety of smaller plates to share among friends. The toast with smoked butter and black truffle is particularly good, as is the leek with Nanina ricotta and crushed pecans.
3. Have a bit of fun at Le Calbar
Cocktail Bar, French
5. Get pirate drunk at Medusa
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Cocktails
The nautical-themed Medusa bar is dedicated to high-quality alcohol at a low price, and this focus has proven to be a success. The interior is part tavern, part pirate ship, and it’s easy to get caught up in the quirky vibe. Raw wood and white walls form a perfect backdrop for the amber-tinted exposed light bulbs, which create a warm glow that, coupled with the wooden rocking chairs, make this little bar one of the most comfortable spots near the Bastille. The cocktails are simple but executed well, but eating is cheating at Medusa – there’s no food on the menu at all. Plan to dine beforehand, or make this your rendezvous point before dinner.
6. Soak up the Miami Vice vibes at Lone Palm
Cocktail Bar, Cocktails
The mid-century theme to many of Bastille’s bars continues strong in the Lone Palm, but instead of California cool, the interiors here transport visitors to 1950s Miami. The jade-glass, mosaic-tiled bar channels classic American style, which is enhanced by the old-school cocktail menu of pisco sours and dirty martinis. It’s charmingly, unapologetically retro, from the lampshades covered in palm-tree prints to the abstract shapes framed and mounted on the walls. The Lone Palm is not the cheapest bar in the area, but it’s still very reasonably priced (especially during happy hour from 6pm to 8pm), and with Elvis and Sinatra gracing the radio waves, expect a good time to be had by all.
7. Relax at laid-back Bubar
Bar, Wine Bar, Wine
For a place to drink in Bastille with plenty of character, look no further. Bubar (French slang for ‘bearded’) is named after its owner, who sports the aforementioned beard with aplomb. The bar is popular with Parisian bobos looking for an eclectic, under-the-radar place to drink. Friendly and laid-back, the bar is an easy spot to spend hours chatting away with friends. The menu mainly consists of wine – a range of less common but well-chosen bottles – and free nibbles sit on the bar, though if you’re looking for something more substantial to match your chosen tipple, charcuterie and cheese platters are also available. There’s no sign out front, so make sure you take note of the address before you go.
8. Watch the footie or join a themed night at Yellow Mad Monkey
Bar, Beer, Cocktails, Wine
The name alone conjures a sort of mad, frenetic energy, and that’s exactly what you’ll find in the famous Yellow Mad Monkey. Live music, foosball, beer pong and pinball, plus five huge TV screens dedicated to live sporting events combine to fire up a young crowd crammed around the jungle-themed bar. Psychedelic neon lights illuminate the room that, most nights, is full of revellers partying until the early hours of the morning. The bar feels very American, and it’s almost an homage to the country, with cheeseburgers and cheap beer on tap. Regular themed nights keep its offering fresh and playful.
9. For an old-school wine bar, try Le Baron Rouge
Bar, Charcuterie, Wine Bar, French
10. Try cachaça at Maria Loca
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Cocktails
Maria Loca is named after a particular hooch made in Brazilian prisons, but the bar is far from illicit. Situated on a pretty corner of Bastille, the elegant Maria Loca oozes typical Brazilian charm and serves a diverse array of good French wines and international rums. But there’s also something more exotic: cachaça, which is something of a first in Paris. Cachaça, made from distilled cane sugar, is used in caipirinhas but is often replaced by rum and other, easier to source ingredients outside of the South American country.
11. Drink away your sins at Le Lèche-Vin
Bar, Pub Grub
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