Paris: Speakeasy and Hidden Bars Tour

Paris hides bars in plain sight.

This 2-hour tour takes you through secret nightlife doors, with a local guide who explains how speakeasies work and why they matter in Paris. I especially like that you are led to places you would never stumble on by accident, even if you are the confident type. You will also get a drink menu with options ranging from tequila and mezcal to whisky and chartreuse-style flavors.

My main caution is simple: no food is included, so eat first unless you plan to snack later on your own.

• Hidden entrances, passwords, and back-room passages that make the hunt part of the fun
• Two speakeasy stops with different atmospheres, so you get more than one mood
• Cocktail variety from tequila, mezcal, pisco, whisky, bourbon to absinthe and chartreuse-style ingredients
• International group vibe that makes it easy to talk and meet people, including solo travelers
• Soft drinks available if you are not drinking alcohol
• English tour coverage, plus other languages only for private groups

How This Paris Speakeasy Walk Actually Works

This is not the kind of bar tour where you just follow a map and take selfies. The point here is access. Paris has a long tradition of places that feel slightly off the grid, with side doors, locked entry points, and rooms that only reveal themselves when you know where to look.

You meet your guide outside Filles du Calvaires metro and then move as a group to the first low-lit entrance. Depending on the night, that entrance might involve a door you would never notice in daylight, a password-style entry, or a door in a back area that opens into a real bar space. The guide handles the where, the when, and the how so you can focus on the experience instead of guessing.

I also like the structure. You get two planned bars, each with its own feel, rather than a rushed parade of “just one drink then next.” The tour is built for conversation too. Several guides are known for starting group chats and making everyone feel comfortable, which matters when the whole evening depends on walking into tucked-away places together.

Meeting at Filles du Calvaires, Then Letting the Guide Lead

The meeting point is very specific, and it helps to be too. Meet outside Filles du Calvaires metro station on line 8, exit number 2, facing the Cirque d’hiver building.

Here is how to make this easy on yourself:

• Arrive a few minutes early and stand where the meeting instruction matches the building orientation.
• If you are coming from elsewhere in Paris, plan for a quick buffer. Metro stations can be confusing at night.
• Bring a little confidence. You are going to entrances that feel private on purpose, so you want to walk in like you belong there.

A lot of this tour’s value is timing. The tour description also notes skip-the-line access through a separate entrance, which is exactly what you want when you are aiming for secret places that can get crowded.

Also, language is handled. The tour runs in English, and guides may also offer French, German, or Spanish. If you are with a private group, other language options may be possible depending on the request.

Bar Stop One: 1920s-Style Mood and Passcode Entry

Your first bar sets the tone. Many nights include a speakeasy with a classic 1920s feel, and one example that comes up often is a place called Mobsters. People describe it as classy, with that old-school atmosphere you expect from the word speakeasy.

What you should expect at this kind of first stop:

• A strong vibe shift the moment you cross the threshold.
• A sense of ritual around entry. Passcodes or guarded doors are common for this style.
• Cocktails served with care, not just a quick pour.

If you like the theater of nightlife, this first stop usually delivers. It is where you feel the “how did we find this” moment most clearly. And because the guide is there, you learn what you are looking at, not just how to find the door.

Potential drawback to keep in mind: first stops can feel a bit louder or more crowded, especially if the group is larger. If you are sensitive to noise, say so early. Guides often adjust how they move the group, and you will still get the history and context.

Bar Stop Two: Creative Cocktail Styles and Unusual Flavor Combos

The second bar is where the tour often gets more playful. One bar you might encounter leans more modern and hip, with a mix of flavors that do not follow the usual safe formula. In real examples, people mention a blend of Mexican and Japanese flair, plus drinks with unusual components like goat’s milk foam.

This stop is also where the menu variety becomes real. You are not limited to one spirit category. The tour description lists options including:

• tequila and mezcal
• pisco
• whisky and bourbon
• chartreuse-style flavors and absinthe

Translation for your night: you can pick something that matches your mood. Want smoky and dramatic? Choose whisky-based options. Want bright and aromatic? Look for tequila or mezcal-based cocktails. If you are curious about absinthe or chartreuse-style ingredients, this is the kind of place where you can ask questions and get a real answer.

One more detail that matters: you earn your drinks. The tour encourages you to book the tour, bring a good atmosphere, and then enjoy the cocktails once you are inside. So if you are planning to treat the tour like free entertainment, it may feel less satisfying. Plan on ordering what you like, and you will probably have the best time.

Also, if you are traveling without alcohol, soft drinks are available. That means you are not stuck feeling left out while everyone else compares notes.

The Drinks: What You Can Choose, and How the Options Work

This tour is built around the bar experience, so the drink choices are a core part of the value. The tour description says you can choose from signature cocktails, with a menu that ranges from tequila and mezcal through pisco to whisky, bourbon, and absinthe-related spirits.

A practical thing to know: included beverages depend on what option you select. The tour includes beer and wine depending on the option, but cocktails are still a big part of the evening. That is why the $41 price can be a good deal for some people, but a mismatch for others.

Here is my take on value:

• If you choose an option that includes beer or wine, you are getting a portion of the bar bill handled for you.
• The real “savings” is not just the drinks. It is the access. Hidden entrances are often hard to replicate solo, and the guide reduces wasted time.
• You are paying for guidance, entry, and the atmosphere at two different venues, not a full dinner package.

One more useful point from how people talk about the tour: guides tend to recommend what to order based on your taste. So if you do not know mezcal from tequila, tell your guide you want something smooth, smoky, or fresh and they will help you pick.

Who You Meet: Solo-Friendly, International, and Actually Social

One of the most praised parts of this tour is the social energy. You join a group that can include solo travelers, couples, and others who just want a fun nightlife plan. The setting makes it natural to talk because everyone is trying the same thing: the same hidden-entry vibe, the same cocktail moments, and the same “wait, how do we get in here” conversations.

If you are solo in Paris, this kind of structured night helps. You are not relying on chance to find conversation at a bar. Your guide can also help the group get comfortable quickly. People also mention guides initiating group discussions and making it easy to feel like you are part of the evening, not floating around it.

So yes, this is a drinking-focused activity in the sense that it centers on cocktails. But it is also about the story and the shared experience. That is why it works for people who drink and people who mostly sip something non-alcoholic.

Price and Value for a Two-Hour Paris Night Out

At $41 per person for about two hours, the big question is whether you feel like you got value. For me, value comes from three parts: access, time, and experience.

1. Access to two secret bars

Even if you are a strong navigator, hidden doors in Paris are hard to find reliably. This tour gives you a guided path that usually includes entry moments like passwords or back-room doors.

1. Time saved and less stress

You have limited evenings in Paris. Two hours is tight enough to fit into most schedules, and it is long enough to actually experience two different bars, not just “one quick stop and done.”

1. Drink situation based on your option

Beer and wine are included depending on the option you choose. That can help offset costs. If you pick an option that does not match what you expected, it can feel pricey. So decide before you go what you want: more included beverage value, or simply the access and guidance.

Also remember: food is not included. That shifts value math. If you eat beforehand, you are set. If you arrive hungry, the tour might not feel as comfortable.

Practical Tips Before You Go (No Drama Required)

This is an easy evening plan if you show up prepared. Here are the practical things that make a difference:

• Eat a real meal before the tour starts. Food is not part of the package.
• Bring confidence. You are walking into private-feeling spaces.
• If you do not drink alcohol, you can still participate with soft drinks.
• Keep expectations realistic about accessibility. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.
• Wear shoes you can move in at night. You will be walking between entrances.

If you are traveling with friends, this also works well as a way to start the night. It gives you stories right away, then you are free to continue in your own style afterward.

Should You Book This Paris Speakeasy and Hidden Bars Tour?

Book it if you want a real speakeasy experience, not just another bar crawl. If you like craft cocktails, enjoy secret entry mechanics, and want to meet people while someone else handles the logistics, this is a strong choice. The guide factor matters too. People frequently highlight guides by name, like Maëva, Pierre, Norbu, Felix, Mohona, and Cali, and many describe them as warm, interactive, and good at guiding the group.

Skip it if you need wheelchair-friendly access, or if you are only interested in full meal value since food is not included. Also, double-check which option you choose so the included beer and wine matches what you want from the night.

If your idea of a perfect Paris evening is a couple of hidden doors, two distinct atmospheres, and a chance to try cocktails you would not pick at random, then yes, book this. It is one of those experiences that makes Paris feel secret again.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet outside Filles du Calvaires metro station at line 8, exit number 2, facing the Cirque d’hiver building.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

How many hidden bars do you visit?

The tour is designed around discovering 2 hidden bars.

What drinks are included?

Included items are a guided tour, plus beer and wine depending on the option selected. Soft drinks are also available for non-drinkers.

What languages are available?

Tours are provided in English. French, German, and Spanish are available only for private groups, based on organization.

Is it suitable for wheelchair users?

No, the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.