Le Marais in Paris has some of the most lively, friendly and diverse array of bars in the city and our insider guide has the best spots in the area. Read on if you want to drink amongst locals and enjoy the quirky side of the real, modern Paris.
If you’re planning a trip to Paris then Le Marais is no doubt in your itinerary. It’s a fantastic area rich in history and filled with amazing shops, museums and galleries. On the food and drink side there are some great restaurants in the Marais as well as some cracking bars.
After sightseeing during the day, you’ll want to find somewhere to have a refreshing drink. There’s plenty of amazing classic French cafés to sit at people watch just like in the rest of the city. But where are the cool, interesting spots that real locals go to? Read on to discover my favourite bars in the Marais (from someone who actually lives in Paris!). Bars are listed in no particular order.
Café Charlot
On the bustling street of rue de Bretagne lies Café Charlot. One of the most popular bars on the street, Café Charlot has seduced both the local crowds and visiting tourists alike. With its original iron storefront facade still in place, it’s a seriously cool yet hyper traditional kind of bar. Originally a boulangerie, the inside was transformed into a traditional Parisian café with dark leather banquettes and a stunning aged, wooden bar counter. Their outside terrace gets extremely popular in the warmer months so you’ll need to arrive early during peak times to get a spot. Prices are on the higher side for certain drinks (€10 for a pint of lager) although their wines by the glass are much more reasonable. They also have decent food served non-stop throughout the day.
What to know before you visit
- Open daily from 8am-2am
- Food is served all day
- Terrace can get full early on during peak weekend times
Address: 38 Rue de Bretagne, 75003
Tel: 04 91 59 25 92
Website: https://www.lecharlot-paris.com
Le Saint-Gervais
If you’re looking for an old-school, no frills local bar where you’ll drink with a really cool crowd, then Le Saint-Gervais is for you. During Paris fashion weeks you’ll find the bar filled with industry types and locals drinking late into the night. During the day their outdoor terrace is a great spot for getting a quick drink whilst people watching in the sun. The prices are reasonable for the area – €7.50 for a pint of lager €8.50 for an apérol spritz. They also serve a very limited amount of food (the menu changes frequently) but expect to be able to order a Croque Monsieur & Confit duck leg.
What to know before you visit
- You can reserve tables online
- Open until 2am everyday
Address: 96 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 7500
Tel: 01 42 78 99 53
Website: https://lesaintgervais.fr/en/
Café La Perle
Just down the road from Le Saint-Gervais, you’ll find a gem of a bar, La Perle. It’s another great spot where, no matter the time of the day, you’ll find the trendy crowd from the Marais. An extremely LGBT friendly bar, it’s a great spot to grab a glass of wine, sit on their terrace and watch the world go by. It’s also extremely central; located on the crossroads of Rue Vielle-du-Temple and Rue de la Perle, it’s close to many of the best shopping areas and museums. The bar serves up classic cocktails, wine, champagne and Peroni (lager) on tap. They’ve also got a small kitchen serving up really good wood fired pizza & other bar snacks. Worth noting that it can get lively in the evening when the music gets cranked up and bar gets packed out.
What to know before you visit
- Open until 2am everyday
Address:: 78 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75003
Tel: 01 42 78 99 53
Website: https://cafelaperle.com
Brewdog Marais
If you’re a craft beer fan then the Brewdog bar in the Marais is for you. They’ve got over 15 craft beers on tap with 10 in house brews and 5 guest beers. The industrial-chic with exposed stone walls and iron accents is very much reminiscent of bars that you’d find outside of France. It has a friendly, pub style atmosphere with pub quizzes organised every Tuesday. During the warmer months their small terrace allows you to sip on your craft beer with a view out onto the quiet surrounding streets. They’ve also got solid stone baked pizzas if you’re hungry.
What to know before you visit
- English speaking friendly
- You can reserve tables
Address: 1 Pl. de Thorigny, 75003
Tel: 09 88 03 27 03
Website: https://www.brewdog.com/uk/brewdog-lemarais
Le Pick Clops
Le Pick Clops is a retro bar located on the South side of the Marais. Its bight yellow and blue facade is inviting as well as its 50s style diner interior. It’s, like many bars in this list, a really friendly neighbourhood bar that’s always filled with locals and curious tourists. Their terrace is large and a perfect spot to grab a morning coffee, afternoon drink or weekend brunch. Their food is all home made and you’ll often see great apéro food like mozzarella sticks, duck rillettes and oysters.
What to know before you visit
- You can’t reserve
- Open until 2am every day
Address: 16 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75004
Tel: 01 40 29 02 18
Website: https://www.instagram.com/lepickclops/
Le Mary Celeste
Le Mary Celeste can be found at the end of Rue de Bretagne on a charming street corner off the crossroads adjacent to Rue de Vielle-du-Temple. It’s an awesome craft cocktail and natural wine bar with some very well prepared small sharing plates. Started by the team behind the Candelaria, the Mary Celeste has got an equally as amazing drinks list with some great unique cocktails and superb rare natural wine by the glass. In the evening it can get lively so make sure to arrive on the earlier side if you want to grab a seat.
What to know before you visit
- Closes between lunch and evening but then open until 2am every day
- You can reserve tables online
Address: 1 Rue Commines, 75003
Website: https://www.lemaryceleste.com
