Explore Hidden bars and Speakeasies in Paris

The fun begins before the first drink. You meet near Place de la République, then follow a guide into bars that may hide behind a restaurant, a kitchen, or an unmarked door. The small group keeps the evening social without turning it into a noisy pub crawl. Marc, Natalia, Felix, and Dadhet are among the guides who lead these outings.

I like two things right away: the guide handles the evening’s planning, and you get useful addresses for more bars after the tour. I also like the flexible finish. The formal experience lasts about two hours, but you can stay at the bars afterward if the group and the mood are right.

The main drawback is cost control. The $33.79 fee covers entry, not drinks or food, so your final bill depends on what you order. The bars can also feel a little tourist-oriented if you already know Paris’s cocktail scene well.

Key points at a glance

• Three stops are possible: The plan includes two or three speakeasy bars, with about an hour at the first venue.
• The group stays small: A maximum of seven people makes conversation easier and helps the guide keep everyone together.
• Secret entrances add the fun: You might pass through a restaurant or kitchen to reach a bar tucked out of sight.
• Drinks are extra: Cocktails, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase, but none are included.
• It works well for solo visitors: The social setup gives you a ready-made night out without requiring a large party.
• The tour can continue after two hours: You are welcome to remain at the bars, subject to the venue and group situation.

A Paris night that starts at Place de la République

This is not a history walk with a cocktail added at the end. It is a guided introduction to Paris after dark, built around the pleasure of finding places you would probably miss on your own.

The meeting point is near Place de la République, a useful central location with public transportation nearby. From there, the guide takes you toward a favorite bar in the 11th arrondissement. The first stop receives about an hour, giving you time to settle in, order a drink, and talk with the guide and the rest of the group.

The 11th is a sensible setting for this kind of evening. It has a strong bar and restaurant scene, and the experience focuses on places with character rather than famous monuments. You will not spend the night ticking off major Paris sights. You will spend it learning how to recognize the city’s less obvious doors.

The tour is offered in English. Several guides also speak French, and Marc is specifically described as moving between both languages when needed. That matters if your group includes people with different levels of French, since the guide can keep the conversation flowing instead of making the evening feel like a formal language exercise.

Finding the first bar and settling into the evening

The first venue is the evening’s anchor. You spend about an hour there before walking roughly six minutes to the next bar. That short walk is useful. It gives you a little fresh air, lets the guide point out other places in the neighborhood, and breaks up the night without turning it into a long walking tour.

The bars may have secret entrances. One of the most memorable routes described by participants goes through a restaurant kitchen before reaching the bar at the back. Another guide helped a group find a second concealed room within a speakeasy. These details are not guaranteed on every departure, but they show the type of surprise built into the experience.

At the venues, you can choose from cocktails, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks. The cocktail menus may include unusual twists rather than only standard drinks. Since each bar has its own style, moving between venues gives the evening a useful rhythm: one stop might feel intimate and concealed, while another may be more social and music-focused.

You should not expect the guide to provide a drink tasting or a fixed menu. You choose and pay for each drink yourself. That is good news if you want control over your spending, but it means the $33.79 tour price is only the entry point.

Two or three speakeasies, with room for a bonus stop

The stated plan is a visit to two or three speakeasy bars. In practice, the number can depend on timing and the night’s flow. Several accounts describe three stops, while one evening included a bonus venue because the group had extra time.

That flexibility is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not judge the tour solely by counting bars. Two good stops with enough time to enjoy them may be better than three rushed visits. The guide’s job is to keep the group moving while leaving room for conversation and drinks.

Each venue has free entry for the tour group. This removes one common nuisance from a Paris night out: standing outside a bar and wondering if you will be admitted. The bars are prepared for the group, and reserved space has been arranged on some departures.

Still, free entry does not mean the drinks are inexpensive. If you order three cocktails, as one parent and daughter did, your total spending will be much higher than the advertised tour fee. If you want to keep the night modest, order one drink at each stop or switch to beer or a non-alcoholic option.

Why the small group matters

The maximum group size is seven. That is one of the strongest practical features here.

A small group allows the guide to introduce people without shouting across a crowded bar. It also makes it easier to ask where to go next, what to order, or how to return to a venue later. For a solo visitor, this setup can remove the awkwardness of entering a nightlife district alone.

The social side is a real part of the experience. People come from different places, and the walk between bars gives you an easy chance to talk. You can treat it as a way to meet people for one evening, or simply enjoy the company without committing to a full night together.

The mood is not designed for heavy partying. One account describes it as a good choice for someone who wants to go out without going crazy. That is a useful expectation. This tour is better for conversation, unusual drinks, and a gradual night out than for loud clubs or a late-night party circuit.

The guides shape the night

The guide matters more here than on a standard sightseeing walk. A museum guide can sometimes get away with a dry delivery if the collection is strong. At a bar, the host needs to make people comfortable, keep the group on time, and know when to talk and when to let the evening unfold.

The guides named in the available feedback include Marc, Natalia, Felix, and Dadhet. Marc is described as funny, prompt, and able to offer follow-up addresses. Natalia is praised for keeping conversation engaging and for creating a relaxed evening. Felix is described as friendly and personable, with a knack for making a new city feel easier to navigate. Dadhet is noted for smooth transitions and drink suggestions.

You may also encounter another guide. The quality of the evening can depend on the individual leading your departure, and one account raises a useful caution about personal boundaries. A guide should keep questions respectful and make space for everyone in the group. If you are traveling alone, that standard matters even more.

The strongest guide style for this experience is friendly but not overbearing. You want local advice, cocktail help, and a bit of Paris context, not a host who makes the entire night about himself. The best moments come when the guide gives you a key detail, opens the next door, and then lets the group enjoy the room.

What you pay for at $33.79

At $33.79 per person, the value rests in access and planning rather than included food or alcohol.

You are paying for a small-group host, entry to two or three venues, reserved or prepared space at some stops, and the time saved by finding the bars without trial and error. You also receive suggestions for other speakeasies to visit later. For a first night in Paris, that local direction can be worth more than a simple bar list.

The price looks less attractive if you already know the 11th arrondissement well or are comfortable researching cocktail bars yourself. You may be able to visit one or two places without a guide, though you would lose the introductions, the secret-entry element, and the social group.

Plan your budget before you arrive. A reasonable approach is to regard the tour fee and drink money as separate costs. Food is also extra, although one venue may have light appetizers available for purchase. Do not arrive assuming dinner is included.

The tour can be a standalone activity, but it also works as the first part of a longer evening. You can continue at the final bar after the official two hours, or use the guide’s additional recommendations to plan another night.

Practical timing and meeting details

The experience lasts about two hours, though the time listed refers to the guided portion. You are welcome to stay at the bars as long as you like, subject to the venue’s normal operation and your own plans.

The meeting point is given near Place de la République, at the location code V987+XF Paris. Check your confirmation carefully so you can identify the exact place to meet. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return location with the guide.

The tour is offered in English and is near public transportation. Most people can take part, and no special fitness requirement is stated. You will walk between bars, including a roughly six-minute walk from the first stop to the next, so comfortable shoes are sensible.

The experience is often booked around 22 days ahead. That is worth noting if your Paris dates are fixed, especially since the group is capped at seven people. If your preferred hour appears full, the provider says you can send a message because the bars themselves have more room than the tour group.

Bad weather can affect the departure, and the minimum group size must be met. If the provider cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or a full refund. Your own cancellation is different: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be amended for any reason.

Who will enjoy this best

I would recommend this for a first or second night in Paris, when you want an easy way to start going out without spending an hour choosing a bar. It is also a good match for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who enjoy conversation more than loud nightlife.

It suits people who like cocktails but do not need every stop to be famous. The secret entrances, unusual rooms, and changing atmospheres are the point. You should be willing to pay separately for drinks and accept that the exact venues may vary.

This is less suitable if you want a strict tasting menu, a guaranteed list of named bars, or a long lesson in cocktail technique. It may also feel too tourist-focused for someone who already knows Paris’s cocktail circuit. One person from Chicago found the experience underwhelming for that reason, though still valued the guide and the chance to meet someone while out alone.

Families with older children may find it a fun evening activity, provided everyone is comfortable in bar settings. The experience is centered on alcohol, even though non-alcoholic drinks are available, so it is not designed as a conventional family tour.

Should you book the Paris speakeasy tour?

Book it if you want the night planned for you, enjoy small groups, and like the idea of entering bars through doors you would not find by accident. The strongest reasons are the limited group size, the free entry, the guides’ local suggestions, and the chance to continue after the formal tour ends.

Skip it if you are mainly seeking included drinks or a low total price. Bring extra money for cocktails and food, and keep your expectations focused on discovery and company rather than a formal tasting.

For many visitors, this is a useful bridge between sightseeing and nightlife. It gives you a starting point, a few unusual addresses, and enough freedom to decide how late the evening should go.

FAQ

How much does the experience cost?

The tour costs $33.79 per person. Food and drinks are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The guided portion lasts about two hours. You are welcome to stay at the bars longer.

How many speakeasy bars will I visit?

The experience includes visits to two or three speakeasy bars. Some departures may include a bonus stop if time allows.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins near Place de la République in Paris, at the meeting location identified as V987+XF Paris.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, and food must be purchased separately.

Is entry to the bars included?

Yes. Entry to all venues visited during the tour is included.

What language is the tour offered in?

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

How large is the group?

The activity has a maximum of seven participants.

Can I take part if I do not drink alcohol?

Yes. Non-alcoholic drinks are available, although the experience still takes place in bars and focuses on Paris nightlife.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the provider cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum group size is not met, you are offered another date or a full refund.