The Ultimate Pub Crawl: A Guide to Irish and British Bars in Paris

Paris isn’t just about wine bars and chic cocktail lounges. If you’re looking for a pint of Guinness, a hearty pub grub, or the sound of a live folk band strumming away in a cozy corner, the city has more than a few hidden gems. Over the last two decades, Irish and British pubs have quietly taken root across Paris, offering something rare: warmth, honesty, and a sense of belonging you don’t always find in the city’s more polished venues. These aren’t tourist traps with fake cobblestones and overpriced lagers. These are real places, run by people who know their ales from their stouts, and who’ve made Paris their home.

Why Irish and British Pubs Thrive in Paris

You might wonder why so many expats from the UK and Ireland opened pubs here. The answer is simple: demand. Thousands of British and Irish workers, students, and retirees live in Paris. But it’s not just them. Locals and tourists alike crave the relaxed vibe these pubs offer. No pretense. No dress code. Just good beer, friendly chatter, and the occasional game of darts.

Unlike French bars, which often focus on wine and conversation, British and Irish pubs are built for hanging out. They have dartboards, pool tables, and TV screens tuned to Premier League matches. They serve fish and chips with tartar sauce that actually tastes like the real thing. And they pour Guinness the right way-two-stage pour, 119 seconds, perfect head. This isn’t just about drinking. It’s about community.

The Top 5 Irish Pubs in Paris

Not all Irish pubs in Paris are created equal. Some are loud, crowded, and overpriced. Others feel like stepping into a village pub in Galway. Here are the five that truly stand out.

• The Irish House (11 Rue de la Bûcherie, 5th arrondissement): This is the oldest Irish pub in Paris, opened in 1989. The walls are lined with Irish music memorabilia, and the owner, a Dublin native, still pours the pints himself. Their Guinness is consistently ranked the best in the city. Don’t miss the homemade soda bread with Irish butter.
• Shamrock (10 Rue des Trois Frères, 18th arrondissement): Tucked away near Montmartre, Shamrock feels like a secret. Live trad music every Thursday and Sunday. The staff remembers your name. They serve Guinness, but also Irish whiskey flights-try the Redbreast 12 Year Old with a drop of water.
• The Celtic Cross (10 Rue du Faubourg du Temple, 11th arrondissement): A favorite among locals and expats alike. The food menu is extensive: corned beef and cabbage, beef stew, and even Irish breakfasts on weekends. Their cider is imported from County Cork and served in proper pint glasses.
• Bar L’Étoile (22 Rue des Martyrs, 18th arrondissement): Technically a hybrid-Irish ownership, French soul. They don’t call themselves an Irish pub, but they serve Guinness, have a darts board, and play U2 on loop. The crowd is mixed: students, artists, and retired Brits. It’s unpretentious and real.
• The Dubliner (14 Rue du Château d’Eau, 10th arrondissement): Opened in 2003, this place has a loyal following. They host weekly quiz nights with prizes like free pints. The beer list includes 12 rotating craft ales from Ireland and the UK. Their burger, made with 80% beef and 20% bacon, is legendary.

The Best British Pubs in Paris

British pubs in Paris don’t try to be Irish. They’re different-more formal, sometimes quieter, often with a touch of nostalgia. These are the ones worth seeking out.

• The English Pub (10 Rue des Petits-Champs, 2nd arrondissement): A classic. Wooden paneling, leather booths, and a real fireplace. They import real cask ales from London breweries like Fuller’s and Shepherd Neame. The Sunday roast-beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, and gravy-is the best in Paris. Reservations recommended.
• Ye Olde English Pub (12 Rue de la Fontaine-au-Roi, 11th arrondissement): Smaller, cozier, and packed with British memorabilia: old newspapers, vintage tea tins, and a wall of Union Jacks. They serve proper tea at 4 p.m. and have a selection of British crisps you won’t find anywhere else. Their beer selection includes real ales from Kent and Sussex.
• The Red Lion (41 Rue de la Tour d’Auvergne, 9th arrondissement): A true London-style boozer. They have a jukebox with Morrissey and The Clash. The bar staff speak with British accents-not faked, but real. They pour a perfect pint of bitter and serve pies with mashed potatoes. The owner once worked at a pub in Brighton.
• The Hibernian (13 Rue de la Grange aux Belles, 10th arrondissement): Not Irish, not British-wait, it’s both. It’s a British-run pub with Irish soul. They serve both Guinness and London Pride on tap. Their fish and chips are crispy, not soggy, and come with mushy peas that taste like they’re from a seaside town in Devon.
• The Duke of York (21 Rue des Martyrs, 18th arrondissement): A quiet spot for after-work drinks. No TVs, no loud music. Just books on the shelves, a well-stocked gin cabinet, and a menu of British cheeses. They host monthly book clubs and poetry readings. It’s the kind of place where you’ll meet someone who’s lived in Paris for 20 years and still misses the rain.

What Makes a Great Pub Crawl in Paris?

A good pub crawl isn’t about drinking as much as you can. It’s about rhythm, variety, and atmosphere. Start early. Don’t rush. Let each pub have its moment.

Here’s a simple, proven route:

1. Start at The Irish House (5th arrondissement) - have your first pint, soak in the history.
2. Walk to Shamrock (18th) - catch live music, order a whiskey.
3. Head to The English Pub (2nd) - settle in with a cask ale and Sunday roast if it’s the weekend.
4. End at The Red Lion (9th) - play darts, listen to the music, and have one last pint.

This route takes about 4-5 hours, including walking time. It covers the best of both worlds: Irish warmth and British tradition. You’ll taste different beers, hear different accents, and meet different people. That’s the point.

What to Order Beyond the Beer

Don’t just stick to the pint. These pubs have food that’s worth the trip.

• Fish and chips - look for thick, hand-cut chips and beer-battered cod. Avoid places that use frozen fillets.
• Shepherd’s pie - should be topped with mashed potato, not cheese or breadcrumbs.
• Ploughman’s lunch - cold meats, cheese, pickles, and bread. Perfect for sharing.
• Irish stew - lamb, potatoes, carrots, onions. Slow-cooked, not rushed.
• Proper tea - black tea, milk, no sugar. Not a latte. Not a chai. Just tea.

And if you’re feeling adventurous, try a black and tan-Guinness layered with a pale ale. Or a half and half-a mix of stout and lager. These aren’t just gimmicks. They’re traditional British pub drinks.

How to Spot a Fake Pub

Paris has plenty of places that call themselves Irish or British pubs but are just themed bars with a Union Jack on the wall. Here’s how to tell the real ones:

• Real pubs have a dartboard - not as decoration. As a working fixture.
• They pour Guinness properly - if the pint is full to the brim in 30 seconds, it’s fake. Real pour takes nearly two minutes.
• The staff know the beer names - they’ll tell you the ABV, the brewery, the region. Not just, “It’s Irish.”
• There’s no English-only menu - real pubs have bilingual menus. If it’s only in English, they’re catering to tourists, not locals.
• The music isn’t all U2 and Oasis - real pubs play a mix: folk, punk, blues, and even French chanson.

When to Go

Weekdays are best for a quiet drink. Friday and Saturday nights get busy, especially around 8 p.m. If you want the full experience, go on a Wednesday or Thursday. That’s when live music starts, and the crowd is still relaxed.

Don’t go on Sunday morning unless you’re after a roast. Most pubs open late on Sundays. And avoid holidays like St. Patrick’s Day unless you want to pay double and fight through crowds.

Final Tip: Bring the Right Attitude

These pubs aren’t about Instagram photos or checking boxes. They’re about connection. Sit at the bar. Talk to the person next to you. Ask about their favorite pub back home. You’ll likely hear stories about London, Belfast, Glasgow, or Galway. You might even make a friend.

Paris is a city of elegance. But its pubs? They’re where the soul of the city comes out to play.