La Première or the 1st arrondissement is known to be among the most influential parts of Paris. If you’re in the area, you’re most likely to spend hours admiring the many exhibits at the Louvre or gawking at the beautiful windows at Sainte-Chapelle. After a long day of taking in the sights in 1’eme and spending some bucks on a designer fit or two, a drink is much needed - and the 1st arrondissement has a lot to offer. 

We’ve scoured the area, tried many drinks, and have pulled out some of the best for you.

Bar Hemingway

Colin Field with his welcoming smile, Source Facebook

The “Best Head Barman in the World”, not just once but twice, Colin Field’s magic has made Bar Hemingway among the most sought after bars in Paris. Bar Hemingway owes its name to the journalist and writer who was a regular at the bar for years. The bar exudes an aura of a Member’s Club and with just 25 seats, fans and followers of the bar are constantly striving to land one. 

The magic of the place is often indescribable, with tufted leather armchairs, a library, photos and an old-fashioned typewriter gracing the bar’s splendid interiors. Colin Field, a master of his craft, creates cocktails inspired by his love for anecdotes. A must-try is Serendipity, a favorite of Colin’s. Or you could also just ask Colin to make a cocktail he thinks you would love. 

Where - 15 Pl. Vendôme, 75001 Paris
Timings - 6 pm to 2 am (Tuesday to Saturday)

Le Nemours

Le Nemours Paris, Source Facebook

Under the columns of Place Colette is Le Nemours, a Parisian culinary institution with its magical terrace. A small brasserie-style restaurant, Le Nemours offers quality products like savory snacks and delicious desserts, homemade and others. Croques, baguette sandwiches and salads can be enjoyed with a vast selection of wines, classic cocktails like bloody mary, negroni and local and global beers. 

The cafe underwent renovation and is now a place in tune with today’s times. Elegant and warm, and retaining the coffee spirit that was typical to the place prior to the renovation, Le Nemours attracts locals and curious tourists in numbers. A string quartet usually plays in the courtyard across the terrace on Sundays, so that could be an additional attraction. 

Where - 2 à 7 Galerie de Nemours, 2 Place Colette, 75001 Paris
Timings - 7 am to 12 am (Monday to Friday)
8 am to 12 am (Saturday)
8 am to 9 pm (Sunday)

Le N'Importe Quoi

The Party Spot of First District, Source Facebook

The place in the 1st arrondissement you go to during the wee hours of the day. Le N'Importe Quoi is a bar with multiple atmospheres. The central area is full of energy, grand cocktails and a big party! There’s a cozy corner on the side where you can have a chat, a vaulted cellar and a smoking room. 

The rock’n’roll cocktail bar has a double happy hour lined up on Thursdays from 6 pm to 8 pm and 12 am to 1 am. Tuesday is ladies night, with an all night happy hour. The atmosphere at Le N'Importe Quoi is incredibly friendly and with all the alcohol that’s served and drunk, it only gets friendlier as the night transcends to dawn. 

Where - 16 Rue du Roule, 75001 Paris
Timings - 6 pm to 5 am (Monday to Saturday)
7 pm to 5 am (Sunday)

Willi’s Wine Bar

Enjoy fascinating wines at Willi’s, Source Instagram

At a time when wine bars were an unheard prospect in Paris, Mark Williamson opened Willi’s Wine Bar. Mark had a fondness for Rhône wines and decided it was time to bring Paris its first genuine wine drinking establishment. General astonishment followed but the people quickly fell in love with the place and they have been going strong for forty years now. 

Today, Willi’s Wine Bar serves invariably fascinating and sometimes obscure wines. The cellar is full of wines, so the by the glass selection changes frequently. There is a lot to try and there’s always something different to drink at Willi’s. The wine bar also doubles up as a nice bistro, serving up delicious treats for lunch and dinner. François Yon for three decades has tirelessly put his heart to every dish. The menu changes daily and it adds to the flavor and spontaneity of the place. 

Where - 13 Rue des Petits Champs, 75001 Paris
Timings - 
Wine Bar - 12 pm to 12 am (All Week)
Kitchen - 12 pm to 2:30 pm and 7 pm to 10 pm (All Week)

Bar 228 Le Meurice

Drink with a little Jazz at Bar 228, Source Website

One of the most sought after meeting places in the city, Bar 228 Le Meurice is the perfect bar to get away from the bustling streets of Paris. The marble bar counter is the centre attraction of a beautiful room that is intimate and exclusive. The nightly live jazz compliments the decor and you can sip the drinks as you enjoy the performance, sunk in the deep leather armchairs you will never want to get out of.

Every bartender at Bar 228 is a master of the craft, mixing and shaking a new creation. The signature cocktails at Bar 228 include the Meurice Millennium with Cointreau and champagne or their twist on the Bellini. The menu also features rare cognacs and fine wines that will have you linger at Bar 228 for a good part of the night. Pair your drinks with a burger or seafood dishes inspired by Southern France. 

Where - 228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Timings - 5 pm to 1 am (All Week)

Juveniles

Wine shop turned Bistro, Source Instagram

When Juveniles opened in 1987, they specialized in bringing wines from off the beaten tracks to the city. They wanted people to sip on wines from around the world. And today, with over thirty years in the business, Juveniles has grown into one of the most popular places in the 1st arrondissement. 

Juveniles has now transformed into a bistro where food is equally as important as wine. Enjoy fine wines from Italy, Spain or California with a dish made from seasonal and local ingredients. Sophisticated and exciting, Juveniles is a place where great food and great wine come together. 

Where - 47 Rue de Richelieu, 75001 Paris
Timings - 12 pm to 2:30 pm and 7 pm to 10:30 pm (Tuesday to Saturday)

Baltard Au Louvre

Enjoy a lavish evening at Baltard Au Louvre, Source Facebook

Close to the Louvre museum, in a canopy of gardens lies the Baltard Au Louvre, a suave restaurant fit for a leisurely evening. Ewout Vranckx leads the team that creates an array of fabulous dishes. The foie gras, the lamb, the scallops are all made to perfection at this dreamy 1st arrondissement spot. 

Partnering the dishes is a wide selection of wines. Nearly 60 natural wines, 15 by the glass choices all swirl their magic and make the meal even more magical. There are new additions to the wine list from time to time. Baltard Au Louvre is a Parisian’s dream. 

Where - 9 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris
Timings - 12 pm to 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm to 10 pm (Monday to Saturday)
12 pm to 2:30 pm (Sunday)

Pharmond

A princely setting at the Pharmond, Source Website

If there is one place on this list that defines legacy and longevity, it would be Pharmond. A Paris dining fixture since the 1800s, it has stood at the very same location since 1879. It retains the princely decor to date and once you enter the place, it feels as if it's a trip back in time. Ornate mirrors, aged wood flooring, royal chandeliers, all add to Pharmond’s historical ambience. 

Once the wonderment settles in, there are plenty of food and drinks options on the menu to choose from. Aperitifs, cognacs and fine wines are available in three glass options and can be paired with dishes like beef steak, lamb shepherd’s pie and cheeses from Normandy. 

Where - 24 Rue de la Grande Truanderie, 75001 Paris
Timings - 12 pm to 12 am (All Week)

Au Pied de Cochon

A legendary brasserie in Paris, Source Website

The name literally translates to pigs trotters in culinary terms. Opened by a former butcher in 1947, Au Pied de Cochon is a Paris food and drink staple. The legendary brasserie’s beautiful and traditional French cuisine is backed by a very friendly atmosphere. The food menu is full of specialties with the Périgord-style stuffed pig's trotters, the Saint-Antoine temptation or the Ibaiama double rib of pig, the chef's favorites. 

The drinks menu at Au Pied de Cochon is glorious. The aperitifs and cocktail menu containing drinks like Crazy Cochin, Moscow Mule and more perfectly fits the restaurant’s vibe. The draft and bottled beers are perfect accompaniments for hearty meals. The wine list features an abundance of choices, all coming from the famous wine regions of the world. From Alsace to Rhône Valley and from Bordeaux to Loire Valley, get a taste of the finest wines. 

Where - 6 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris
Timings - 8 am to 12 am (Sunday to Thursday)
8 am to 1 am (Friday and Saturday)

Le Soufflé

Savory soufflés and French wines, Source Facebook

A restaurant that follows the rhythm of the seasons, Le Soufflé is located between Vendôme, Madeleine and Concorde. It champions traditional cuisine and is known throughout the city for its exquisite range of soufflés. The quality of service has remained constant since its establishment in 1961, whether it is in regards to the food or the drinks. 

There’s an amazing collection of drinks, with vodkas, whiskeys and gins paired brilliantly with aperitifs and a host of beautiful French wines. Diners should order their specialities, savory soufflés with asparagus, foie gras, morels or the classic with cheese. The sweet soufflés with chocolate, orange liqueur, raspberry or pistachio are also a treat. 

Where - 36 Rue du Mont Thabor, 75001 Paris
Timings - 12 pm to 2:30 pm and 7 pm to 9:30 pm (Tuesday to Saturday)

Header Image- Le N'Importe Quoi, Source Facebook