The 3rd arrondissement might be one of the smallest arrondissements in the city, but when it comes to quenching our thirst for both drinks and art, these cobble-stoned streets don’t disappoint. 

Home to some of the city’s most popular museums and art galleries, this side of Le Marais also hosts a wide array of bars and restaurants that offer you the best of the best. Whether you want to sit streetside at Bisou or get lost in the graffiti at FAT’s, here's our selection of top spots to drink at in the 3rd arrondissement. 

Bisou

Bisou’s out patio, source: Facebook

If there is a bar that does things differently, it’s Bisou. The bar has no menu - but instead, allows you to customize your drinks to your liking. Hop onto one of the bar stools and ask the bartender to whip you up exactly what you want. With a rosy exterior and pink-hued walls on the inside, this spot is a sight for sore eyes. Bisou, along with its many creative aspects, also focuses on being eco-friendly as much as possible. Plastic straws are replaced with metal ones and recycling is taken quite seriously here. Considering its small size and romantic vibe, it's best for a date or a small group of friends.

Where - 15 Bd du Temple, 75003

Hours - Mon-Sat (9:30 am - 2 am)
Sunday (11 am - 2 am)

FAT

FAT bar Paris, source: Facebook 

FAT, an acronym for French Art Touch, is a cocktail bar located in the Haut Marais, a stone's throw away from the Carreau du Temple. The theme of the bar revolves around urban culture, hip hop music, and street art; with walls donned in graffiti from top to bottom. The bar was established by three passionate friends that chose to make their dream and that of an entire generation come true. Sip on a drink while discovering new artists. We highly recommend the ‘Magic Potion’, made with Gibson’s gin, aloe vera juice, fresh mint, and rhubarb & lime bitters. Here you can enjoy hip-hop/rap music, get a tattoo, play beer pong, and showcase your talent. The place also organizes ‘The Joke Comedy Club’ stand-ups every Tuesday and DJ sets every Friday and Saturday. 

Where - 8 Rue de Beauce, 75003 

Hours - Tue-Wed (6 pm - 12 am)
Thu-Sat (6 pm - 2 am)

Poupée

Indoor sitting at Poupée, source: Facebook

Poupée is this friendly, contemporary wine bar featuring charcuterie, wines, spirits & outdoor seating. When the sun is out you enjoy their terrace sitting, surrounded by lots of trees (a mini jungle if you please) and when the sky is grey, you can find shelter inside where you’ll discover a cozy and modern setting. Here the wine is served by the string: the bottle is put on the table, you help yourself, and you only pay for what you drink. Munch on boards of cold meat, cheese, and terrines as you explore their wine menu. On some nights, the atmosphere at Poupée is popping with events like blind tastings, themed nights, and even concerts. Here, you don’t ask for the menu, it’s Flo who comes to meet you who makes you discover the Poupée universe and also helps you make your drink choice. After 11 pm the place switches to disco mode, where tables and chairs pass to the side to make room for a dancefloor. Coming here will always be a promise of a good night.

Where - 2 Imp. Berthaud, 75003

Hours - Mon-Tue (4 pm - 2 am)
Wed-Sat (5 pm - 2 am)
Sunday (4 pm - 2 am)

Social Square

The out patio at the Social Square, source: Facebook

Located in the heart of the Haut Marais, the Social Square is a brasserie between the restaurant and the cocktail bar which offers a friendly atmosphere. Behind the bar, their bartenders create very unique cocktails every week based on their inspiration. Try out their signature cocktails like the ‘Zombie’ made from rum, pineapple juice, grapefruit juice, homemade ginger syrup, passion fruit puree, absinthe, homemade cinnamon syrup, and flambé sugar. Or you can opt for one of the many classics like Mai Tai, Gin & Tonic, Margaritas, and more. Besides cocktails, the drinks menu offers whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, tequila, and beer. The kitchen offers a bunch of varieties which include burgers, small platters, and desserts. On Thursday evenings, Social Square organizes live soul and jazz concerts with a meal from 10 pm - 11:30 pm. The cherry on top, Saturdays are booked for electro DJs from 10 pm - 1 am. 

Where - 165 Rue du Temple, 75003

Hours - Mon-Sun (8 am - 2 am)

La Mezcaleria 

The team behind La Mezcaleria, source: Facebook

La Mezcaleria at 1K Paris is a concept with an underground, off-beat feel, distinctive of illicit bars, and is the ideal place to discover Mezcal. What's attractive about this bar is that it's hidden behind Inka Restaurant, all abuzz these days for its fresh take on Peruvian cuisine. Wave hello to Chef Recamier as you walk through the restaurant’s kitchen to get to this clandestine bar in the back. The bar serves cocktails based on your favorite color as they believe it shows a lot about an individual’s personality and interests. For example, if your favorite color is pink then they suggest having ‘Juicy Amy’. It is created from Koch espadin mezcal, Tanqueray Sevilla gin, yellow chartreuse, watermelon, ritual Malva rose kombucha, and gives hints of active, careful, and gentle personality - as the bartenders describe. Tunes here are a mix of Latin beats and old-school R&B. Look up to see an oversized cross sprawled on the ceiling.  Cocktail specials change here seasonally but you can be sure that each is religiously mixed with reverence for the main ingredient, Mezcal. 

Where - 13 Bd du Temple, 75003 (located in 1k Paris)

Hours - Mon-Thu (6 pm - 2 am)
Fri-Sat (7 pm - 2 am)
Sunday (6 pm - 2 am)

Le Barav

Le Barav, source: Facebook

Le Barav is a great wine bar with personality, yet simple. The team is friendly and passionate about the vino they serve. The wines come from the cellar right next door where you can choose a bottle of your choice, which is then added to your tab. You can even bring your own wine, in that case, there is a 5 euro corking fee. It’s also worth knowing that if you don’t finish your bottle, you can take it to go. The service is great and you get very good advice to help you choose the wine. The delightful spot has an excellent selection of charcuterie, cheese plates, and desserts. Regulars of this bar come here for the wine from the cellar but you can also get draft beers, coffee, and canned sodas. Unfortunately, booking is not available and the place is packed on the busy days of the week, so get there early.

Where - 6 Rue Charles-François Dupuis, 75003

Hours - Tue-Sat (5 pm - 12 am)

Le Bar'Ouf

The bar counter at Le Bar’Ouf, source: Facebook

Le Bar’Ouf is created by two women in love with life and conviviality. The place is filled with simple fittings and gives us a homely vibe. Here you can chat, play, sing, dance and enjoy various art exhibitions. The games available to you are cards, dice, and scrabble. You can also take a shot at the billiards table. Draft beers, wines, cocktails, bottled beers, sodas, and juices are available on the drinks menu. Among the beers, they have Desperados, Corona, Grimbergen, and many more on the list. You can also try your beer in a cocktail called ‘Mario Bros’ - made of strawberry puree, beer, and pink grapefruit syrup. 

Where - 182 Rue Saint-Martin, 75003 

Hours - Tue-Thu (5:30 pm - 1 am)
Fri-Sat (5:30 pm - 2 am) 

L'Épicier

L'Épicier interior, source: Website

Hidden behind the shelves of a convenience store is L’Epicier, an Arabian-inspired bar, with lots of colorful Moroccan lamps casting a warm glow in the dim room. The low tables are made from Arabic stop signs and rattan swinging chairs swing from the ceiling in a corner. The menu features cocktails with exotic eastern ingredients like rose water, tonka, orange blossom, cardamom, or pomegranate. Drinks come with a tiny bowl of lupin beans and the menu includes a few small dishes like aubergine caviar and mezze plates. There are also a couple of non-alcoholic cocktails on offer as well as softs, beer, and wine by the glass and bottle. The “Tété du Bled” is a popular choice, served with Moroccan mint tea style.

Where - 24 Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth, 75003

Hours - Tue-Wed (6 pm - 1 am)
Thu-Sat (6 pm - 2 am)

Header image, source: Social Square