Image by Fred Moussaïan

Irish or British pubs (or so-called) are not lacking in Paris. I would say that there are 3 types of such bars:

- Genuine: which attract loads of expats and show mostly UK and Ireland sport (and in which you won’t be easily understood if you order in French)

- Fake ones which try to reproduce style and atmosphere without succeeding

- Finally, a third category, which doesn’t try to seem genuine, but which manage to develop their own character.

The Gentleman belongs to the third category. There, like in many pubs, you’ll find a Guinness sign outside, most beers on tap and ordered in pints (not “demis”), service only at the bar, and TVs showing live sports. But here the crowd and the staff are mostly made of young, French students (acknowledging the proximity of most of Latin Quarter universities) plus Erasmus ones attracted by the very cheap prices for the area and relaxed atmosphere.

The pub, although small, is divided into three different sections with different atmospheres: the noisy area along the bar with mostly standing people (good for interactions and chatting); the main room, with tables, chairs, and sometimes even a singer, frequented by small groups of friends; and the first floor, quieter (even if the proximity of toilets brings unexpected animation), for private parties or more intimate meetings.

Bar gets crowded between 19:00 and 22:00 but when happy hour ends it becomes easier to get a table and relax, although pints are more expensive then.

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The Gentleman | Bars, Music | Pint of Grolsch (happy hour) € 3.50
3 rue Hautefeuille | Quartier Latin | +33140510404
12:00 – 01:45 daily

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Image by Pierre BISMUTH

I live in the 14th district of Paris, down in the south, between Porte d’Orléans ans Denfert Rochereau, where you can see a beautiful copy of Bartholdi’s Belfort Lion, Bartholdi is the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty and this is a copy because the original is, of course, in Belfort, in France!

And when I come back from a walk with my family in the Montsouris Park, or if I want to share a good moment with some neighbors-friends, I like to go and have a brunch (on Sundays only for €18) or dinner in a bistrot called “Le Verre Siffleur”, located rue d’alésia, very close to the eponymous underground station.

This place is relatively new, less than three years old, but it brought a sort of fresh air in the quarter, with the rehabilitation of a very affordable bistrot spiritt. Besides, this concept has already been copied with the opening of a new “Bouquet d’Alésia” just near the cinema Gaumon Alesia.

But “le Verre Siffleur” is never empty, and even if you come to eat Burgers, Salads or pastas, the place is so nice that it is recommended to book a table, otherwise you will be “obliged” to have an “apero” at the wonderful bar, just in the center of the room.

Besides, it is also a French café with a small terrace, where you can have a coffee or a tea in the afternoon.

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Le Verre siffleur | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (French Bistrot) | Main Meal € 20
73, rue d’Alésia | Chinatown/Denfert | +33140470834
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 23:15, Sun 09:00 – 23:15

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Image by Tamara Mesaric

I don’t smoke, but somehow it makes me feel bad for my friends, having to go outside the bars each time they want to smoke. It reminds me once more how extreme solutions rarely work. Anyway, that’s one of the reasons why I like La Comédie, the small joyous bar on 2 floors with a big heated terrace for smokers.

The entrance is quite ordinary, however, when you arrive at the first floor the mystery of the bar’s name will be resolved – hundreds of movie stars pictures and theatre posters cover the walls. So you can amuse yourself endlessly checking who is who, what theatre plays are still on or just compare the favourites.

Visitors are usually younger people, and it’s not too crowded. Staff is polite and friendly which is always a good news in Paris. Happy hours from 16:00 to 22:00 provide lower price cocktails (€4.00).

This Comédie Triade – theatre, books and cinema reminders that fill the first floor room make you feel as you visited your old friend’s home with whom you share hobbies and taste. Here is one more reason you could feel so comfortable at La Comédie.

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La Comédie | Bars, Coffee & tea | Pint € 4.00
17, rue de Quincampoix | Louvre/Les Halles
Tue – Sun 16:00 – 02:00

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Image by Tamara Mesaric

This is a place that doesn’t really need advertising; it is well known to Parisians and their guests. Whenever I came in the evenings, there were more people than actual room for them, and the crowd is very diverse.

The atmosphere is very easy going and nonchalant, it makes you feel like it is the weekend all the time. Especially during the spring and summer period, when the spacious terrace reminds of Mediterranean bars. Lively and vibrant, calm and relaxing in the same time, it doesn’t have a typical big city flair, because it is retracted from the main big streets.

The surroundings are attractive so you have a real choice of bars to visit and check if they are your cup of bar or not.

It is positioned near the “bobo” trendy Rue Oberkampf where there are some nice places too, but this little enclave of original somehow eccentric mix of non pretentious yet special group of bars is a one of a kind.

People come to Lou Pascalou from different parts of Paris (I travel for about 40 minutes, but never regret the trip) but it has also has the image of a neighbourhood bar. During the day neighbours come with their kids playing around, usually well known to the bar owner.

It is not only a place to drink and talk – its specialty is different exhibitions and concerts that take place here. Exhibitions change monthly and concerts are held once a week, usually at weekends.

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Lou Pascalou | Art & culture, Bars, Music | Half-pint of beer € 3.00
14, rue des Panoyaux | Belleville/Nation | +33146367810
09:00 – 02:00 daily

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Image by Tamara Mesaric

Popular Fathers is a likable coffee-bar, where you’ll feel cosy and homey. Now open for a year and a half, it took the place of another coffee shop. Today it’s a spot where you can enjoy live concerts twice a week, have lunch (during the week only) or just come to savor the atmosphere or enjoy, for Paris, pretty low prices.

The original interior will remind you of a winery transformed into a living room, topped off by the small performance stage.

The staff is approachable and casual, nonchalant, the atmosphere unpretentious and lively.

Concerts are indie rock style, and you can check upcoming concert events on their Myspace .

Armchairs and colourful lamps will make you feel as though you’re in an extension of your own home. Don’t be deceived by the exterior: once you’re inside, you’ll be charmed by the diverse clientele of all ages, the school tables and wooden trays, and other details that will draw your attention with their unusual, but not excessive, touch.

In a search for good mood and cheap drink, or if you find yourself en route to Montreuil, Popular fathers is definitely worth a visit.

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Les Pères Populaires | Bars, Music | Coffee € 1.00
46, rue de Buzenval | Belleville/Nation | +33143484922
08:00 – 02:00 daily

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Image by Tamara Mesaric

Art brut, a narrow, darkly-lit bar has incredible energy and charm. It is situated near the Pompidou Centre in a quiet, historic street, Rue Quincampoix, where you will face the pleasant but difficult choice among three great bars: L’ Imprévu, La Comédie et Art brut.

Art brut is usually my first choice, though it is not always easy to get in.

Bar and art gallery in one, and decorated directly by the artists themselves, it offers a unique cultural meeting point, as well as a spot to meet people of different ages and backgrounds. The arty part presents expositions that rotate monthly of both young unknown artists and „stars”, including members of the great French music group Têtes raides. Photography, paintings, sculptures, and DIY also can be found here. .

The staff is unpretentious and friendly, and music is often Serbian and Croatian rock as well as ethno sounds from these parts of Europe.

Main menu stars include Šljivovica- Balkanian plum brandy and Montenegrian Nikšičko beer.

Coffee is pretty inexpensive for this area of Paris and the meat and cheese plate is scrumptious.

Cosy, inspiring and human, Art brut tempts you to return again and again to check out the latest exhibition or just meet old and new acquaintances.

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Art brut | Bars, Coffee & tea | Coffee € 1.50
78, rue Quincampoix | Louvre/Les Halles | +33142721736
16:00 – 02:00 daily

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Image by Tamara Mesaric

I pass by this pub often during the day, and I was not at all sure if it was open or not, or what purpose it serves (some of the ideas was that it’s an ancient pub turned into a local art studio). It seemed totally mysterious to me. Attracted by the drawings on the windows I decided to unravel the mystery. So the truth is: the place is a pub, though the drawings hide the interior from people staring at the people inside, it opens only in the afternoon (from 4 p.m.) and it’s a great place to have your afternoon beer.

The Connolly’s Corner, hidden from the crowded Rue Mouffetard (on the corner to the street parallel) is not a stereotypical loud and big Irish pub. It somehow combines the culture of a social atmosphere, typical for the image of the Irish with the intimate “bar de quartier”. It is small, relaxed and friendly.

Cask tables and the picador at the back room are the cute details of this, first Irish pub at the Rive Gauche. Opened in 1988 it still lives fully, offering Music on Sundays and beer and whiskeys they are proud of.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Connolly’s Corner | Bars | Pint of Guinness € 6.50
12, rue de Mirbel | Quartier Latin | +33143365540
16:00 – 02:00 daily

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Image by Tamara Mesaric

L’Impévu is an unexpectedly colourful bar, that stands out in its neighbourhood. It offers an easy going atmosphere, lively though calm enough to read a book if you are alone.

Like an apartment with 4 different owners, each room has it’s own style and personality. Depending on your mood you can choose the flea market-inspired first room with unusual painted walls, unique tables and dentist chairs; or an oriental room, smaller, quieter and furnished with a comfortable over-sized couch.

Even if it’s not your favourite design choice, this area of the bar, gives you the impression that time has stopped, and is set back so far from the street that you’ll forget where you are. There’s even weak mobile phone signal in that area of the bar, so relaxation is ensured.

For sweets lovers, the tasteful cakes and cookies are ensured and Chai-spiced tea with milk is extraordinary.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
L’Imprevu | Bars, Coffee & tea | Chai € 4.00
7, rue Quincampoix | Louvre/Les Halles | +33142782350
Mon – Sat 15:00 – 02:00, Sun 15:00 – 00:00

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Image by Tamara Mesaric

La Bellevilloise is one of the important night life spots in Paris. There are lots of places where you can “live” culture during the day in the city, however the night palette of this kind is not so easy to find.

In today’s version Bellevilloise was opened in 2005 on the spot where there used to be (in 1877) an after Parisian-Commune worker’s cooperative. In those days it was dedicated to education and animation of the workers living in the area.

Today, the place took the same name and the motto is “dedication to light and creation”. Although nowadays you will meet mainly “bobo”(bourgeois boheme) public, but not exclusively.

There are different things going on even at the same time, as it is a music club, an exposition place, a bar and a restaurant with the stage (separated in 4 different rooms). From exhibitions, rock or world music concerts, to dj-ing, interactive workshops, film festivals to even bio markets there is always something interesting to participate in.

Once you are in rue Boyer you surely won’t miss a good concert, either in the nearby club la Maroquinerie (23, rue Boyer) or in La Bellevilloise. The pleasant choice is yours.

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La Bellevilloise | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Festivals & events
19,21 rue Boyer | Belleville/Nation | +33146360707
Wed – Fri 17:30 – 00:20, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 02:00

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Image by Tamara Mesarić

I discovered this place not long ago, and immediately, even from the outside, I knew it would become dear to me.

It has a specific open atmosphere and goodwill vibrations that are all visible. People are relaxed, friendly, the staff totally unpretentious and new guests feel welcome, it even has some intimate, we know-each other mood.

Les Marcheurs de Planète-Resto Zinc is officially a wine bar and offers about 50 sorts of wine. The excellent food is home cooked and freshly prepared. The food is mostly terroir food, meaning the food has special characteristics from the land of a certain geographic region. In this case cheese and sausages and with wine it is very important, depending on the region’s grapes.

The food is served till midnight and the bar is open till 02:00. I won’t say more than if you like hot chocolate, you should try it – and don’t eat anything before.

And that is not all, it has small cute details like chess tables, old piano…books, travel souvenirs, cask, old armchairs. Often they host small exhibitions, in type very similar to Art brut cafe (check the Art Brut cafe article).

Fair trade ideas that are moral bases of this bar and it’s great ambiance make Resto Zinc just the perfect place.

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Resto Zinc | Bars | Brunch € 15.50
73, rue de la Roquette | Marais/Bastille | +33143489098
Tue – Sun 17:30 – 02:00 (kitchen 19:30 – 00:00)

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