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Paris Bars

For years, Paris bar culture has gone hand-in-hand with France's reputation for great wine, producing lots of small wine bars and bar-goers who like their beverages from the vine. But a cocktail and beer crowd has been growing among the younger population, changing the tone of many up-and-coming venues.. Places like Bar Hemingway may have an established reputation, but newer venues such as La Conserverie and Curio Parlor aren’t afraid to mix it up a bit with their experimental concoctions.

Above all, Parisians, and in general, the French, love their wines. It’s a big way Parisians connect with each other, as a social gathering – much like how cafes work. In fact, many bars double as bistros, cafes, and brasseries.

Hemingway Bar

The Hemingway Bar is part of the Ritz Paris hotel. It’s a pretty swanky bar, with old-fashioned décor, leather armchairs, and an air of refinement and Parisian excellence. Voted Best Bar in the World by Forbes Magazine in 2001, it’s no wonder the Hemingway Bar is both a local and tourist hotspot. Don’t forget to bring your wallet – expensive prices match the upscale atmosphere. The Ritz Sidecar, the world’s most expensive cocktail at over €900 is available here.

It is said that Bar Hemingway was Ernest Hemingway’s favorite hangout, and rumored to be where the Bloody Mary cocktail was created just for him. These days, the Hemingway Bar is run by industry darling Colin Field, whose legendary cocktails and other alcoholic creations are instants hits. Field came to the bar in 1994, and was named Best Barman in the World by Forbes Magazine in 2001 – a lofty but well-deserved title if his popularity is any indication.

Melac bar à vins

Melac bar à vins, also known as Bistrot à vins, is one of those hole-in-the-wall places you can’t get enough of. Located in the 11^th arrondissement, the bar and bistro is owned by the charismatic Jacques Melac, who took over from his father, who founded the bar in 1938.

Not just a bar, Melac bar à vins also doubles as a daytime bistro, serving classic finger foods and full meals too, such as beef, aligot aubrac, and sausage. In mid-September, the bar throws a party and harvests the grape plants near the bar. The tradition dates back to 1979, when Melac cut a Baco vine from Aveyron and grew it in the basement of his bar.

Le Baron Bouge

Le Baron Bouge is regarded as the classic Parisian wine bar experience. It isn’t the type of bar that comes alive after hours – its popularity is evident all day long. On buzzy summer weekends, Le Baron Bouge is at its best, with crowds spilling over onto the sidewalk. The nearby shopping stop Marché d’Aligre next door adds to the crowds.

Le Baron Bouge has been around since 1979, originally called Le Baron Rouge, or “The Red Baron,” after Manfred von Richthofen, a fierce fighter pilot, rumored to have taken down 80 enemy planes. The name was changed to Bouge after a lawsuit threatened over use of the title “Rouge.” Le Baron Bouge means “The Baron Moves.”

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