The best hotel bars in Paris

1. From altitude: Bonnie to SO/ Paris

The setting? Let's head up to the 16th and top floor of the 5-star SO/Paris hotel and take a good look around... Far from hotel bars perched hundreds of meters above the ground, which are as exhilarating as they are dizzying, the Bonnie bar offers just the right height to take in the whole of Paris without losing your balance, even after a few cocktails. La Défense, Notre Dame, Montmartre, and the Eiffel Tower... iconic monuments rise up before you in an almost 360° panorama.

The setting? Midnight blue carpet, immaculate white curved seats, an ebony-colored bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows instead of walls—the feeling of weightlessness is palpable. Evenings here often stretch until two in the morning, and frequently continue at the adjoining club, which can be reached via the smoking lounge.

Let's raise a glass: On October 9, bar manager Pietro Costamagna unveiled his first 100% signature menu: seven cocktails and three mocktails, complemented by a few specialty items—such as Cîroc vodkas in coconut, mango, or pineapple flavors, and a fine selection of American and Scotch whiskeys.

Which one do we prefer? It's hard to choose between the Santa Monica, a cocktail as indulgent as a dessert, made with Tanqueray gin, Adriatico amaretto, peach, passion fruit, and hibiscus, and the refreshing Becky with B, made with Beluga Noble vodka, passion fruit, pineapple, coconut, and toast.

Bonnie at SO/ Paris
Cocktails, prices starting at €20
10 Rue Agrippa d'Aubigné, 75004 Paris
so-hotels.com/en/paris/

2. Trend: The Delano Bar | Editor's Pick

The pitch? a confidential speakeasy a stone's throw from the Élysée Palace.

The setting? nestled in a mansion dating from 1734, formerly occupied by the Buddha Bar, Maison Delano Paris opened its doors in April 2023, in the heart of the 8th arrondissement. The Parisian cousin of Miami's legendary Starck-designed Delano, this intimate five-star establishment, with its private courtyard and fine dining helmed by Michelin-starred chef Thierry Marx, has quickly established itself as one of the most sought-after spots for the Right Bank elite, as well as one of the best hotel bars in Paris. Its trump card: an ultra-glamorous cocktail bar with a speakeasy decor, accessible from the street and open to non-residents from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., with a DJ on weekends. Fifties-style velvet seating, quilted mirrors, works of art... it's like being in an episode of Mad Men. Designed by Lázaro Rosa-Violán (Hôtel Pulitzer Paris), like the 56 rooms and suites of this chic hotel, the sophisticated terracotta-toned scenography exudes retro elegance and contemporary chic.

Let's raise a glass: A balanced menu combining signature ingredients with a touch of daring. The Boing is a great starter, combining red Noilly Prat, passion fruit, and vanilla. Despite its sweet and angelic appearance, the Red Passion (Grey Goose vodka, red berries, and apples) turns out to be a false friend. We also love: Rosa Komos (Komos Reposado rosa tequila, Doladira aperitivo, raspberry cordial, red pepper, and rosé champagne), perfect for the season. Cocktails between €18 and €25.

Delano Café at Maison Delano Paris
4 rue d'Anjou, 75008 Paris

3. The intimate: The Bvlgari Hotel Paris | Editor's favorite

The pitch? On Avenue George V, not far from the Champs-Élysées, the bar at the Bvlgari Hotel Paris welcomes Parisians for a summer evening after work and tourists looking to treat themselves to a one-way ticket to Florence or Rome, in luxury.

The setting: located in one of the most beautiful 5-star hotels in Paris, the bar at the Bvlgari Hotel Paris features a lounge with soft lighting, shiny granite surfaces, and leather sofas. The bar, the only illuminated element in the room, stands majestically and catches the eye from every corner. Take a seat at a spacious table and let yourself be transported to another world.

Let's raise a glass: Cocktails with ingredients as surprising (pepper and carrot cordial, chili bitters, BBQ bitters) as they are refined (Belvedere vodka infused with hibiscus, Moët & Chandon rosé, Tuscan red wine cordial)... Created for Chinese New Year 2025, the Year of the Wood Snake, the Serpenti cocktail has never left the menu. Shaken in front of you and served on a Bvlgari-branded ice cube, it is already a classic. Our favorite? The Leo Parisien, a creation by the mixologist that balances Hendrick's gin, apple, cucumber, elderflower, and Moët & Chandon Vintage rosé in a yellow-orange gradient that is most satisfying to sip. Cocktails €35.

And what about snacks? Platters, also with Italian accents, accompany the evening. Italian charcuterie and cheeses take center stage, while more daring offerings are just as tempting: supplì with tomato sauce to eat with your fingers, pickled onions, thin and crispy avocado tartlets, or focaccia-style fritters with roasted peppers, capers, and oregano. You can also nibble on Italian olives, almonds with sage, and taralli from Puglia.

Why go there? On Thursday and Saturday evenings, musicians and singers perform live, much to the delight of guests.

Bvlgari Hotel Paris
30 avenue George V, 75008 Paris

4. In the basement: Rehab at Normandy le Chantier

Forget the rooftop bars of luxury hotels and head down to the basement of the 4-star Normandy Le Chantier hotel in Paris. And be prepared: you won't find it without getting lost and having to stop and ask for directions once or twice... Once you finally reach your table, you'll be transported back to the Prohibition era. Soft lighting emanating from red lanterns and antique chandeliers, a series of brick-walled rooms, some decorated with crucifixes, and a jazzy soundtrack... this is one of the most immersive speakeasies in Paris!

The menu, which is updated every six months and features illustrations (cleverly, each cocktail is illustrated by the glass in which it will be served), consists of 14 original creations—including three non-alcoholic options. The indulgent Raffaello (gin infused with orange blossom, lemon zest, chilled orange, apricot, rosemary, and coconut mousse) and the refreshing Maomam (vodka infused with cranberries, grapefruit syrup, Espelette pepper, verjus, mint soda, and melon liqueur) are among our favorite discoveries. We also highly recommend the Sakura mocktail with smoked grapefruit water and cherry syrup, which you can lick off the rim of the glass, covered with smoked salt. In an environmentally friendly approach that minimizes food waste, the alchemist bartenders at this unusual bar use every ingredient in its entirety to concoct shrubs made from strawberry stems, fruit paste-style pastilles made from leftovers... The fall menu is coming soon, and despite our keen eyes, it remains top secret until its official release. A little patience: the surprise will be all the better for it.

Rehab at hotel Normandy Le Chantier
Cocktails, prices starting at 15 euros
254 rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris

5. With a view: La Terraza, the rooftop bar at Terrass' Hotel

The view? Located at the top of Terrass'' Hotel in Montmartre, La Terraza hotel bar in Paris offers breathtaking views of Paris, from the Eiffel Tower to the Grand Palais, the Montparnasse Tower, and all the way to La Défense. The huge bay windows guarantee an unobstructed view, even from the tables furthest away. In the evening, the magic happens: admire the Iron Lady sparkling from the soft sofas equipped with blankets. In winter, the rooftop remains accessible thanks to its covered, heated space, designed for optimal comfort.

Why go there? For the warm, exotic summer atmosphere. La Casita can be privatized for groups of 6 to 14 people. In this Cuban-inspired setting, colorful velvet armchairs, rattan chairs, and jungle plants create a vibrant decor, punctuated by distressed mirrors and textured rugs. When night falls, the soft lighting envelops the place in a cozy warmth, ideal for prolonging the evening.

The menu at this hotel rooftop bar, created by bartender Léa Velly, offers seven unique creations (starting at €16) combining the best of Cuban rum with unexpected flavors. While some are tempted by the Cayo Coco Daïquiri, where sweetness and acidity meet, others discover the surprising Dulzura, which combines roasted almond milk, pecans, vanilla, and a hint of salt—bold but excellent! On the culinary side, the sweet and savory tapas are generous and flavorful: crispy avocado and mango bites, sea bream ceviche, and the amazing Cubano lobster roll, served in a brioche bun. Special mention goes to the yogurt and chive sauce that accompanies the sweet potato fries—a real treat.

Admittedly, the bill is a little steep, but the quality of the food, drinks, and experience is worth the price.

Terrass'' Hôtel
12-14 rue Joseph de Maistre, 75018 Paris

6. Chic: Bar 8 at the Mandarin Oriental

The pitch? On the first floor of the Mandarin Oriental, the 5-star Paris hotel on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Bar 8 is a showcase of modernity and refinement. The centerpiece of this sophisticated space is a spectacular marble bar, surrounded by wooden walls adorned with Lalique crystals, evoking the delicacy of raindrops. In winter, the covered and heated outdoor terrace becomes a cocoon to snuggle up with a cocktail, while in summer, it transforms into a chic haven under the Parisian sky. Between subdued lighting, hushed music and impeccable service, Bar 8 achieves the perfect alchemy of a Paris hotel bar, where every detail invites pleasure.

Let's raise a glass: The aperitif takes on a whole new dimension with Paris-Tivo, a gourmet and refined experience to be enjoyed between 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. every day of the week. For €30, choose from three signature cocktails made with Italicus, an Italian liqueur with floral flavors: the Italicus Negroni, a sophisticated take on the classic with a touch of mandarin brandy; the Italicus Sour, with its blend of verjuice and egg white; or the Not a Last Word, a cocktail that combines gin, lime, and Chartreuse. To accompany your drink, enjoy a trio of appetizers created by hotel chef Maxime Gilbert: a mini truffle croque, a chicken curry cromesquis, and an avocado and shrimp brioche. Treat yourself to a chic and gourmet break at this Paris hotel bar.

Bar 8 at Mandarin Oriental Paris
251 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris

7. Iconic: The Bar Hemingway

The pitch? the capital's most legendary palace bar.

The setting? in September 2023, the Ritz Paris celebrated its 125th anniversary with a memorable party attended by the whole of Paris. The famous bar at 15 place Vendôme, named after the writer Ernest Hemingway, who made it his HQ, needs no introduction. Legend has it that the Nobel Prize winner chased the Gestapo out of the palace in 1944, before leaving a record 51 dry Martinis. Even today, these walls still exude the fragrance of yesteryear. just 25 seats and a decor that's remained intact: portraits and handwritten letters recounting the life of the adventurous writer, wood panelling, upholstered leather armchairs and sepia-toned lighting. A mythical place that every Paris hotel bar lover should try once in their life.

Let's raise a glass: the dry Martini, Hemingway's signature drink, is an absolute must. Another reference: the Serendipity, "France in a glass" according to its inventor, cult chef-bartender Colin Peter Field, who ran the place for 29 years, combining champagne, sugar, apple juice, Calvados and fresh mint. All served on the rocks in a highball glass. But there's nothing wrong with thinking outside the box. Especially when it's the brilliant disciple, Anne-Sophie Prestail, who has been with the company since 2006, who improvises racy love filters according to customers' desires.

Bar Hemingway at the Ritz Paris
15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris

8. Romantic: Le Très Particulier

The pitch? the perfect setting for a romantic date out of sight.

The setting? the countryside in Paris. Opening onto a lush 900m² listed and protected garden, the Hôtel Particulier Montmartre is a love nest tucked away in a private alleyway a stone's throw from the Sacré-Coeur. The old secret hotel boasts five luxurious suites, a restaurant, a small library with fireplace and an insider's bar with boudoir-style carpeting, red velvet decor and jungle wallpaper. An ambience that screams hedonism and voluptuousness (and more, if you like). Live piano on Wednesdays and DJ sets every weekend.

Let's raise a glass: In addition to the house classics: the summery Très Particulier (verbena-lavender infused gin, elderflower cordial, and tonic), or the more full-bodied Sergent Hartmann (kaffir lime infused vodka, Fournier cider, ginger cordial, and lemon juice), there are more offbeat creations with cinematic references: Nothing Predestined Me to Become a Geisha (Bijito Junmai, H.Théoria Electric Velvet, lychee juice, pink pepper and horseradish syrup, lime juice, and Peychaud's bitters) or the captivating Son nom était Jeremiah Johnson (Bourbon, Earl Grey tea, maple syrup, ginger cordial, lime juice, and Angostura bitters). From €15 to €18.

Le Très Particulier at Hôtel Particulier Montmartre
23 avenue Junot, pavillon D, 75018 Paris

9. Scholar : Le Library Bar

The pitch: a venue with the atmosphere of a revamped English club.

The setting: in 2021, Laura Gonzalez breathed new life into the Bar Bibliothèque at the Saint James Paris, a prestigious castle hotel in the western districts. The star interior designer has retained the wood paneling, velvet and leather worn by time, softened by Indian rugs and antique furniture. In a British private club atmosphere, guests sip drinks surrounded by some 12,000 bound books and rare editions that once belonged to students at the Fondation Thiers. In summer, an outdoor terrace is set up under the pergola with a view of the bucolic garden.

Let's raise a glass: an impeccable selection of Irish and Scottish whiskeys, rare Japanese spirits such as Hakushu 18 Year Old, premium bourbons, gins, and cognacs, and a few excellent champagnes by the glass. Cocktails: six elixirs and two mocktails named after their dominant flavor: Cerise, a negroni with notes of sage and cherry. Or the aromatic Tomate, an interpretation of the classic Bloody Mary with surprising notes of green olive, clarified feta, horseradish, and lovage. Cocktails €28.

Le Library Bar at Saint James Paris
5 place du Chancelier Adenauer, 75016 Paris
+33 1 44 05 81 81

10. Society spot : Les Ambassadeurs

The pitch: the quintessential palace bar where you can rub shoulders with the beautiful people.

The setting: on the ground floor, in the former ballroom of the Hôtel de Crillon A Rosewood Hotel, Les Ambassadeurs is one of the best hotel bars in Paris, and one of the most popular too. The sumptuous decor, designed by Chahan Minassian, features crystal chandeliers, a Renaissance ceiling, tables inlaid with precious metals, a grand piano... Tall windows reveal a view of the obelisk. But the show is also in the room. Every evening, a cast of stars, from Madonna to Emily Ratajkowski, settles into these VIP armchairs.

Let's raise a glass: after illustrating the districts of Paris in liquid form, head bartender Arnaud Volte has created a new two-volume menu featuring 15 haute couture cocktails based on the theme of the four seasons. Each creation is made with a selection of rare ingredients and fine spirits. These include the refreshing Harvest for summer evenings (tequila, wheat, wine-based aperitif, Amontillado sherry, agave, verjuice, and olive soda), the intriguing Seaside with vodka, capers, and a twist of oyster leaf, and the characterful Mountains with whiskey, habanero pepper, thyme, honey, and génépi. Cocktails €33.

Les Ambassadeurs at Hôtel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel
10 place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris