5 hidden and secret bars in Paris

Inspired by the clandestine speakeasy — which illegally served alcohol during Prohibition in the United States — hidden bars flourish in Paris. Follow the guide!

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• Candelaria
• Syndicat
• Lavomatic
• Moonshiner
• Orphée

Who could believe at first glace that this microscopic Mexican taqueria hides one of the most prominent bars in the Marais? Observe the comings and goings in front of the counter, however, and you’ll soon realise that the back door doesn’t just lead to the toilets.

Behind it lies Candelaria, a South American-style speakeasy cocktail bar. And what’s more, the taqueria alone is worth the trip!

From the outside, Syndicat appears to be just a closed down shop, with its front completely covered in posters and other wild advertisements. But you are at the right place!

Once inside, however, you’ll find a complete change of environment with curtains, a golden ceiling and a marble bar. The aim of Syndicat — its full name, Organisation in Defence of French spirits — is to revive the acclaim of traditional French alcohols and other 100% French liqueurs and spirits.

Take a risk and push the anonymous door next to one of the dryers, then climb the stairs to discover this little bar, located above a launderette! Lavomatic is an usual and playful bar which features stools designed as packs of washing powders and swings as chairs.

On the menu, there is a selection of cocktails, including the “Basilic Instinct”, natural wines and craft beers, as well as a selection of reasonably priced small dishes.

Moonshiner is a venue full of surprises. To find it, go into Da Vito pizzeria, push the cold room door and then go through a second door. In an instant, you are transported to a speakeasy, one of the clandestine bars that flourished in New York in the Prohibition era of the 1920s.

Tip: in the smoking area, try to find the combination of the safe to be rewarded with a gift!

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It is rumoured to be the former bachelor pad of Jean Cocteau and Jean Marais, later becoming a libertine sauna, a naughty past which the owners of Orphée continued to employ with the opening of this nightclub in Pigalle.

To enter, ring the doorbell. Don’t worry: once inside, the atmosphere is more good-humoured than scandalous!

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