Explore Hidden bars and Speakeasies in Paris

Paris saves some of its best night spots behind restaurant kitchens, unmarked doors, and entrances that feel like a small puzzle. This two-hour walk from Place de la République takes you to two or three speakeasies, with guides such as Marc, Natalia, Felix, and Dadhet leading the way.

I like the small group of no more than seven because it keeps the evening social without turning into a loud bar crawl. I also like the useful local follow-up: your guide shares the locations of other secret bars, so the night can continue after the formal tour. The catch is simple: drinks and food are not included, so the final bill depends on what you order.

Key points to know before booking

• Secret entrances: You may enter through an unusual doorway or even pass through a restaurant kitchen to reach one of the bars.
• Small-group setting: The maximum group size is seven, which makes it easier to chat with the guide and other people.
• Three bars are possible: The stated plan covers two or three venues, depending on timing and the night.
• Drinks cost extra: Entry is free, but cocktails, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, and food must be paid for separately.
• Good for solo visitors: The format gives you an easy way to meet people without committing to a full evening together.
• The night can continue: The official activity lasts about two hours, but you are welcome to stay at the bars afterward.

Starting near Place de la République

The evening begins near Place de la République in Paris’s 11th arrondissement, an area with plenty of restaurants, bars, and late-night energy. The exact meeting point is listed as V987+XF Paris, so check your mobile ticket and meeting instructions carefully before setting out.

The first venue is where the group spends about an hour. You are not simply shown a door and sent inside. Your guide handles the arrival, helps the group settle in, and gives you a sense of what makes the bar worth finding.

The exact venues can vary, which is part of the appeal. Some nights may bring a bar with a concealed entrance. Another stop may involve walking through a restaurant kitchen before reaching the room at the back. That sort of arrival gives the evening a playful edge without requiring you to solve a complicated riddle on your own.

I would arrive with enough time to find the meeting point calmly. Paris transport is convenient, and the starting area is near public transportation, but evening crowds and unfamiliar streets can still slow you down.

The first bar: one hour to settle in

The first stop carries much of the evening’s weight. You have time to order a drink, learn how the group works, and talk with your guide before moving on.

The bars offer cocktails, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, music, and a social atmosphere. The drinks are not part of the $33.79 tour price, so think of the admission fee as payment for the guide, planning, access, and company rather than a prepaid tasting.

That distinction matters. If you order three cocktails, your total cost will be much higher than the advertised tour price. If you choose one drink at each stop, the evening can remain relatively controlled. You can also choose non-alcoholic drinks, which makes the outing more flexible for anyone who wants the setting and conversation without a full night of alcohol.

The hour at the first bar also gives solo visitors a useful entry point. You can arrive alone and still have a built-in group to talk with. Several guides, including Natalia and Felix, are described as friendly and easy to talk to, while Dadhet is noted for keeping conversation moving between stops.

The six-minute walk between bars

After about an hour, the group walks roughly six minutes to the next bar. This is a short transfer, not a long walking tour, so comfortable shoes are still sensible but no special fitness is needed.

The walk helps break up the drinking portion of the evening. It also gives your guide a chance to share more suggestions for later. If you are new to Paris nightlife, these small bits of direction can be more useful than a long list of famous addresses.

The route and bars may not feel like a major sightseeing tour. You are not being led past Paris monuments or given a broad history lecture. The value is more local and practical: you learn how to find places that are easy to miss and how to keep exploring once the organized portion ends.

The second and third stops

The second bar is included in the basic plan, and a third stop is often possible. The activity description promises a visit to two or three speakeasies, so you should not treat three venues as an absolute guarantee.

Each bar has its own mood and drink menu. One may be more focused on music, another on cocktails, and another on a quieter room where you can talk. The available information does not promise a fixed set of venues, which means the experience is less predictable than a conventional tasting tour.

That flexibility can work in your favor. The guide can choose places that fit the group, the timing, and the night. It also means you should book this for the general style of evening, not because you have your heart set on one named bar.

Some drinks have unusual twists, and the cocktail quality receives repeated praise. If you like trying drinks that go beyond standard wine or beer, this is one of the strongest reasons to book. Ask your guide what to order if you want help choosing, as guides such as Dadhet are specifically noted for suggesting good drinks.

Food is available for purchase at some locations. One stop may offer light appetizers, but food is not included and should not be expected at every bar. Eat beforehand or plan to order something if the venue offers it.

What the guides add to the night

The guide can make or break a small nightlife tour. With only a handful of people, you spend much of the evening close to that person, so a warm and respectful host matters.

Marc is described as funny, prompt, and able to speak both English and French. He also shares additional places to visit and helps non-French speakers feel more at ease. Natalia is noted for keeping conversation engaging and insightful, while Felix is described as personable, friendly, and good at helping people feel comfortable in a new city.

Dadhet is another guide whose role goes beyond leading the walk. He is described as relaxed, social, and good at making the move from one venue to the next feel easy. The guides are not all identical, and your experience will depend partly on who leads your departure.

There is one clear caution in the feedback: one solo woman described a guide whose intrusive questions and personal disclosures made the evening uncomfortable. That appears to be an exception among otherwise very positive comments, but it is worth acknowledging. A nightlife host should keep conversation welcoming and respect personal boundaries. If a guide’s style feels wrong, you are not obligated to share personal details.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 79 ratings, with 97 percent of customers recommending the activity. Those numbers fit the strongest pattern: people value the host’s personality, the unusual venues, the easy social setting, and the drinks.

Why the small group matters

A group capped at seven is a real advantage here. A large group would make secret entrances less amusing, crowd the bar, and make it harder to speak with the guide.

With a small party, you can ask questions about ordering, Paris nightlife, or other places to visit. You also have a natural chance to meet other people. That is especially useful if you are traveling alone or want one social night without joining a large organized outing.

The group may include couples, families with adult children, and solo visitors. One family group used the evening as a different activity from the usual Paris museums and churches. Another person booked it as a birthday night, and another used it as a way to meet people while visiting Paris alone.

This is not a private tour, so you should be ready to share the evening with strangers. That is part of the price and part of the fun. If you want a quiet, private date night, booking a bar directly may suit you better.

Price, drinks, and overall value

The tour costs $33.79 per person. Since entry to the venues is free and drinks are extra, the value rests in the guide’s planning and access rather than included beverages.

I find that price reasonable for visitors who do not know Paris nightlife and want a ready-made evening. You are paying to avoid hunting for addresses, guessing which doors are open, and choosing between bars without local context. You also receive suggestions for other places to try later.

The cost is less attractive if you already know the city’s cocktail scene or are comfortable finding bars on your own. One Chicago visitor found the experience somewhat touristy and underwhelming, though still valued the guide and the chance to meet people. That is a fair warning: the tour gives you an introduction, not an insider’s secret world untouched by tourism.

Budget for your drinks separately. Three cocktails can quickly become the main expense, while one drink per stop gives you more control. If you are celebrating, plan for the possibility of food or extra drinks after the tour, since the evening can continue at the bars.

Who will enjoy this Paris night out?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Solo visitors who want company for one evening
• First-time Paris visitors unsure where to begin after dinner
• Couples looking for something more playful than a standard cocktail bar
• Friends who enjoy unusual venues and creative drinks
• Repeat visitors who have already covered the major museums and churches
• Non-French speakers who prefer a guide to handle the evening

It also works well as a first-night activity. The planned route is short, the group is small, and you receive ideas for later nights. The evening can help you get your bearings in a social way without demanding a full late-night commitment.

Families with adult children can enjoy it too, as shown by the group that visited three venues together. I would not choose it for young children or anyone wanting a daytime cultural activity. This is a bar-focused night walk, and alcohol is a central part of the setting even though non-alcoholic drinks are available.

Timing, weather, and booking details

The experience lasts about two hours, but you are welcome to remain at the bars afterward. That makes it easy to use as either a complete evening activity or a starting point before dinner, music, or another night out.

It is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Most people can participate, and the meeting area is near public transportation. The group maximum is seven, though the practical group size can vary by departure.

The advertised booking pattern is about 22 days ahead, so popular dates may fill before your trip. If your preferred hour appears full, the provider says the bars can hold more people and asks you to send a message. That does not guarantee a place, but it is worth asking before abandoning the date.

The activity requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels the tour, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund. Otherwise, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so choose your date carefully.

Is this Paris speakeasy tour worth booking?

Book it if you want a social, easygoing introduction to Paris nightlife and like the idea of finding bars you might miss on your own. The strongest parts are the tiny group, the unusual entrances, the rotating mix of venues, and guides such as Marc, Natalia, Felix, and Dadhet who help the night feel relaxed.

Skip it if you already know the local cocktail scene, dislike group outings, or want drinks included in the price. You should also treat the third bar as a possible bonus rather than a promise.

For most visitors, this is best booked early in the trip. Use the two-hour route to meet people, try a few carefully made drinks, and collect addresses for another night. Just keep your budget open for the bar tab, and you will have a clearer idea of what you are buying.

FAQ

How long does the Hidden Bars and Speakeasies in Paris experience last?

The planned activity lasts about two hours. You are welcome to stay at the bars as long as you like after the organized portion ends.

How many speakeasy bars will I visit?

The experience includes visits to two or three speakeasy bars. The third stop may depend on timing and the conditions of that evening.

Are drinks and food included in the price?

No. The $33.79 price includes the guided visits and free entry to the venues, but alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, and food cost extra.

How large is the group?

The activity has a maximum of seven participants. This keeps the group small enough for conversation and easier access to the venues.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English, and some guides may also speak French.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather or low enrollment?

If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes cancellation, you are offered a different date, a different experience, or a full refund. Otherwise, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed.