Paris isn’t just about wine anymore
For years, Paris was known as a city of wine, cheese, and baguettes. But if you walk through the streets of Le Marais, Belleville, or the 10th arrondissement after dark, you’ll find something new bubbling under the surface-craft beer. It’s not a trend anymore. It’s a movement. And the bars serving it? They’re where locals go after work, where expats find community, and where tourists stumble upon the real Paris.
Forget the crowded wine bars with overpriced glasses. The best craft beer bars in Paris don’t just serve beer-they tell stories. Each pint comes with a name, a brewery, a region, and a reason. Some are tucked into old industrial buildings. Others are hidden behind unmarked doors. And every one of them has a soul.
La Chouffe Bar: The OG of Paris craft beer
Open since 2008, La Chouffe Bar in the 10th arrondissement is where the Paris craft beer scene began. It’s not fancy. No neon signs. No Instagrammable walls. Just 50+ taps, wooden benches, and a chalkboard listing beers from Belgium, the U.S., and local French brewers like Brasserie de la Senne.
They rotate their taps weekly. One night you might get a hazy IPA from Portland. The next, a sour aged in oak barrels from Lyon. The staff don’t push trends. They pour what tastes good. And they’ll tell you why. Ask for the "Brewer’s Pick" and you’ll get something rare-maybe a limited batch from a small farm brewery in Normandy.
It’s open until 2 a.m. on weekends. No reservations. Just show up, grab a seat, and let the beer lead you.
Le Comptoir Général: Beer, music, and weird charm
If you want atmosphere with your ale, head to Le Comptoir Général in the 10th. It’s part bar, part museum, part jungle. The space is filled with vintage furniture, African artifacts, and hanging plants. A live jazz trio plays on Thursdays. On weekends, DJs spin vinyl from 9 p.m. to midnight.
The beer list is small but sharp-only 12 taps, all from independent French and Belgian brewers. Their signature is the "Parisian Pilsner," brewed in collaboration with a local microbrewery using barley from Picardy. It’s light, crisp, and perfect for sipping under string lights while people-watching.
This place doesn’t feel like a bar. It feels like a secret party your friend invited you to. Dress casual. Bring curiosity. Leave your pretense at the door.
Brasserie des Frères: Where French tradition meets American hops
Founded by two brothers who trained in Portland and then returned to Paris, Brasserie des Frères in the 11th arrondissement is a rare hybrid: a brewpub that makes its own beer and serves it on-site. They brew everything in a stainless steel tank tucked behind the bar.
Try the "Bière de Garde," a French-style strong ale with notes of caramel and dried fruit. Or go bold with the "Hoppy Bastard," an American-style double IPA that hits 8.5% ABV. They serve it in 330ml glasses-no 500ml overflows here. They believe in quality over quantity.
The food is simple: charcuterie boards, house-made pretzels, and smoked trout sandwiches. All pair perfectly with their beer. The place fills up after 7 p.m., so come early if you want a table. Or just stand at the bar and chat with the brewer-he’s usually there, cleaning a tap or tasting a new batch.
Le Petit Château: The hidden gem in the 18th
Nestled in a quiet corner of Montmartre, Le Petit Château feels like a cozy cabin in the Alps. Wooden beams, stone walls, and a fireplace that stays lit until 11 p.m. make it the perfect spot for a slow evening.
Their beer list changes monthly. They focus on French and Swiss microbreweries you’ve never heard of. Last month, they featured a dry-hopped saison from a farm in the Ardèche. This month, it’s a smoked porter brewed with chestnut honey.
They don’t do happy hours. No deals. Just honest beer at fair prices-€7 for a pint, €10 for a 500ml bottle. The owner, a former sommelier who switched to beer after a trip to Colorado, hand-selects every bottle. He’ll sit with you if you ask. He’ll tell you about the yeast strain in your glass. He’ll ask where you’re from.
Le Baron Rouge: For the beer nerds who want to geek out
If you’ve ever read a beer label like it’s a poem, this is your temple. Le Baron Rouge in the 13th arrondissement is a bottle shop turned tasting room. They have over 300 bottles in stock-from Belgian lambics to Japanese sour ales.
They offer flight tastings: four 100ml pours for €12. Choose from their curated boards: "Belgian Classics," "Hop Explosion," or "Wild Ferments." Each flight comes with a printed sheet explaining the beer’s origin, fermentation method, and food pairing.
They host monthly beer dinners-five courses, five beers, all paired by a certified cicerone. The last one featured a smoked duck breast with a Baltic porter from Sweden. Tickets sell out fast. Check their Instagram. They post the menu every Monday.
What makes a great craft beer bar in Paris?
It’s not just the beer. It’s the vibe. The best spots in Paris share a few things:
- Local focus - Even if they serve international brews, they highlight French producers. Look for breweries from Alsace, Brittany, or the Loire Valley.
- Tap rotation - If the same 6 beers are on tap every week, walk away. Good bars change their selection at least twice a month.
- Staff knowledge - They should be able to explain what "dry hopping" means, or why a beer is unfiltered.
- No pretension - You won’t find velvet ropes or dress codes. Jeans are fine. Flip-flops? Maybe not at Le Baron Rouge, but everywhere else? Go ahead.
- Open late - Most close by midnight. The best stay open until 2 a.m. on weekends.
When to go
Weeknights (Tuesday-Thursday) are quiet. Perfect if you want to sit, talk, and sip slowly. Friday and Saturday nights? Expect crowds. Arrive before 8 p.m. to avoid waiting.
Don’t go on Sundays unless you’re looking for a chill afternoon. Most bars close early or don’t open at all.
What to order
Parisian craft beer leans toward balance. You won’t find 12% imperial stouts everywhere. Instead, look for:
- Saison - Light, spicy, slightly tart. Great with charcuterie.
- Pilsner - Crisp, clean, refreshing. The city’s unofficial favorite.
- Amber Ale - Caramel notes, medium body. Perfect for cooler nights.
- Wild Ale - Fermented with wild yeast. Funky, complex. For the adventurous.
Ask for "une bière locale" (a local beer). You’ll get something you won’t find anywhere else.
How to navigate the scene
Paris isn’t like Portland or Denver. You won’t find a craft beer strip. The bars are scattered. Use the metro. Lines 2, 5, and 11 connect most of the key spots.
Download the app "Bière de France." It maps all craft beer bars in Paris with user ratings and current tap lists. Or just wander. Some of the best finds are unplanned.
What to avoid
Steer clear of bars that call themselves "craft beer" but only serve Heineken, Guinness, and Corona. If the menu has more English than French, it’s probably targeting tourists, not locals.
Also avoid places with more than 20 beers on tap but no information on who brewed them. If they can’t tell you the brewery name, they’re just pouring beer, not sharing a story.
Final tip: Talk to the barkeep
Parisians can seem distant. But ask a barkeep about their favorite beer, and they’ll light up. Say "J’adore la bière artisanale" (I love craft beer). They’ll remember you. They might even pour you a taste of something new.
Are craft beer bars in Paris expensive?
Pints usually cost between €6 and €9. That’s more than a lager at a regular bar, but less than a wine flight at a fancy restaurant. Most places offer half-pints for €4-5 if you want to try a few styles. You’re paying for quality, not branding.
Can I find vegan-friendly options at these bars?
Yes. Most craft beer bars serve vegan snacks like hummus, pickled vegetables, or grain bowls. Beer itself is naturally vegan-unless it’s filtered with animal products. Ask if the beer is "non-filtré" or "végan." Most small brewers now label it clearly.
Do I need to speak French to enjoy these bars?
No. Most staff speak English, especially in areas like Le Marais and the 10th. But learning a few phrases-"Une bière locale, s’il vous plaît"-goes a long way. It shows respect, and you’ll get better service.
Is there a craft beer festival in Paris?
Yes. The Paris Beer Week happens every November. Over 100 breweries participate, and many bars host special tap takeovers. It’s the best time to try rare beers and meet brewers. Tickets sell out fast, so sign up on their website in early October.
Can I buy beer to take home?
Many bars sell bottles to go. Le Baron Rouge has the largest selection. La Chouffe Bar also keeps a small fridge of local brews. You can bring bottles back to your hotel-just pack them carefully. French customs allow up to 1 liter of beer per person duty-free.
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