The Best Paris Happy Hour Restaurants
The best way to experience Paris is waking up late, devouring the biggest fresh-baked baguette you can find, and beginning an endless, winding ramble along the city’s matrix of beautiful boulevards.
Whether narrow or wide, touristy or tucked away, nearly every street in Paris offers café after glorious café. Some cafes are perfect for a morning espresso, while others are best for ushering day into night with a craft cocktail or sparkling glass of champagne.
For my money, any hour in Paris is a Happy Hour, regardless of the time of day.
But if you’re looking for sunset drinks or pre-dinner tapas, here are 5 Paris restaurants that simply can’t be beat these.
#1: Lizard Lounge
18 rue du Bourg-Tibourg
Lizard Lounge has a daily afternoon Happy Hour that goes until 21:00 (20:00 on Sundays). Besides martinis, mojitos, and daiquiris to write home about, this British-owned pub offers tasty, moderately-priced gastro-fare like nachos and burgers. British and American staff make this an extremely popular (read: crowded) place with expats and tourists, so come early to snag a seat!
#2: Academie de la Biere
88 bis boulevard de Port-Royal, 75005
If you firmly believe that Happy Hour isn’t Happy Hour without outdoor seating, head to Academie de la Biere near the Luxembourg Gardens. This Belgian-inspired beer garden offers discounted tap beer and free popcorn all day Sunday, Happy Hour drinks and appetizers til 21:00 on Mondays, and a weekly Happy Hour from 15:30 to 19:30pm Tuesday through Saturday.
#3: Le Kitch
10 rue Oberkampf, 75011
Le Kitch is famous for its foreigner- friendly atmosphere, low prices, long Happy Hour, and signature drink, “The Shrek”. This refreshing gin smoothie makes for perfect sipping while you’re admiring the art deco tabletops, walls, and ceiling that give this spot its signature kitschy style.
#4: Le Smoke
29 re Delambre, 75014
Le Smoke is located in the heart of Montparnasse, and at first glance looks identical to every other sidewalk café in the city. But don’t let those wicker chairs and tiny tabletops fool you – this is no ordinary Parisian eatery.
In addition to offering a killer Happy Hour with to-die-for whiskey sours, Le Smoke is a serious celebration of all things jazz. From the photos on the walls to the rich history of the restaurant, everything about Le Smoke is an homage to jazz greats like Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk.
Even better, the fanatic jazz-loving owners have a great sense of humor (or a great sense of irony); at Le Smoke, there is no smoking allowed.
#5: Le Paloma
74 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011
Cozy, cozy, cozy. That’s what locals and tourists have to say about this tiny haven, with its crushed-velvet couches, ornate wallpaper, and deliciously-low lighting. Happy Hour runs 18:00 to 20:00, and includes “buy one get one free” on all cocktails and shots. By the way, the mojitos here give the ones at Lizard Lounge a serious run for their money.
Rebecca Anne Nguyen is a freelance writer and the Founder of TheHappyPassport.com, an inspiration site for solo female travellers.
