When you think of a pub crawl Paris, a self-guided tour of bars and clubs where you move from one spot to the next, often with friends, drinking as you go. Also known as bar hopping in Paris, it’s not just about drinking—it’s about feeling the rhythm of the city after dark, one neighborhood at a time. Most tourists stick to Montmartre or the Champs-Élysées, but the real pub crawl Paris happens where the locals go: narrow alleys in Le Marais, basement bars near Canal Saint-Martin, and rooftop lounges with views of the Seine that don’t charge cover until midnight.
A good Paris nightlife, the collection of bars, clubs, live music spots, and late-night hangouts that define the city’s after-dark culture isn’t loud or flashy. It’s quiet, confident, and full of character. You’ll find jazz clubs where the music starts at 11 PM, wine bars that pour natural vintages from small French vineyards, and hidden speakeasies behind unmarked doors. The Paris bars, local drinking spots that range from traditional cafés to modern cocktail lounges, often serving as community hubs after work and into the night don’t rush you. They let you linger, talk, and change your mind about where to go next. That’s the difference between a tourist night out and a Parisian one.
And it’s not just about the drinks. The best Paris clubs, late-night venues focused on music, dancing, and social energy, often open until 6 AM and known for their curated playlists and stylish crowds don’t play Top 40 hits. They spin French house, underground techno, or vintage soul. Some are in old warehouses. Others are tucked under train tracks. You won’t find them on Google Maps unless you know the right hashtag. The people who run them don’t care about Instagram likes—they care about the vibe, the music, and whether you leave with a story.
What makes a pub crawl Paris unforgettable isn’t the number of places you hit. It’s the moments between them—the stranger who recommends a hidden wine bar, the saxophone player who joins you for a drink after his set, the way the city lights reflect off the Seine as you walk from one arrondissement to the next. You don’t need a guidebook. You just need to wander, listen, and say yes when someone says, "You should try this place."
Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve done it—the best karaoke joints where locals sing off-key and love it, the secret rooftop bars that feel like your own private party, the clubs where the bouncer knows your name by the third visit. This isn’t a list of the most popular spots. It’s a collection of the ones that actually matter.