Secret doors beat the usual Paris bar crawl. This tour is built around hidden entrances and the kind of nightlife Paris does best: small rooms, passwords, and stories that make the city feel like a movie. I especially like the mix of different bar atmospheres across the night, and I like how guides bring real context (I’ve heard from guides like Maëva, Pierre, Norbu, Mohona, Félix, and Cali, each with their own style). One thing to consider: what you’ll drink depends on the option you choose, and the included part is listed as beer and wine, so check your ticket details before you go expecting full cocktail coverage.
You’ll meet at a very practical spot near metro Line 8, and then you’ll move through side streets at a pace that works for mingling without feeling rushed. This is also one of those tours where solo travelers can relax, because the group format is designed to mix people from different countries, with soft drinks available for non-drinkers.
In This Review
- Key things you’ll notice right away
- Paris Speakeasy Tour: What Secret Nightlife Feels Like
- Finding the Meet Point at Filles du Calvaires (Line 8, Exit 2)
- Hidden Entrances, Passcodes, and Door-Changing Architecture
- Stop 1 and Stop 2: Two Speakeasies With Very Different Vibes
- What You’ll Drink: Included Beer and Wine Versus Full Cocktails
- The Guide Makes the Whole Thing Feel Easy
- Price and Value: Is $41 Worth It in Paris?
- Getting the Most Out of the Two-Hour Window
- Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Not)
- Should You Book This Paris Speakeasy Tour?
- FAQ
- What is the duration of the Paris speakeasy tour?
- Where exactly is the meeting point?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- What languages are available besides English?
- How many speakeasy bars do we visit?
- Are drinks included?
- Is food included?
- Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
- What is the price of the tour?
Key things you’ll notice right away
- Two hidden bars in about two hours, with entry handled through a tour setup
- Passwords, passcodes, and concealed doors, depending on the venue
- Cocktail choices that go beyond the usual, including tequila, mezcal, pisco, whisky, bourbon, chartreuse absinthe
- A guide-led night built for meeting people, not just standing in a line
- Included beer and wine (option-dependent), so you can budget for extra drinks
- Plan ahead for food, since nothing is included
Paris Speakeasy Tour: What Secret Nightlife Feels Like
Paris after dark can feel busy and touristy fast. This tour flips the script by focusing on places you would not reliably find on your own, where you earn entry through hidden doors and secret cues.
The big win is that the night has structure. You’re guided to two speakeasies with different personalities, so it doesn’t turn into the usual I-walk-here-and-hope-for-the-best bar hopping.
You’ll also get the history side in a human way. Expect stories about how underground drinking scenes worked, and what these bars are riffing on today.
You can also read our reviews of more nightlife experiences in Paris
Finding the Meet Point at Filles du Calvaires (Line 8, Exit 2)
You’ll start outside Filles du Calvaires metro station, Line 8, Exit #2. Face the Cirque d’hiver building so you and your guide are talking about the same landmark.
This matters more than you might think. With tours that involve hidden entrances, early arrival keeps the whole route smooth and reduces the chance of last-minute scrambling.
It’s also a good neighborhood to get your bearings before you go underground. You’re not stuck in a dead zone, and you can quickly grab a coffee or quick snack nearby before the tour starts.
Hidden Entrances, Passcodes, and Door-Changing Architecture
The heart of this experience is how entry works. Each bar you visit can use a different style of secrecy: hidden passages, hidden doors you cross, password entry, or locations that feel like they require an invitation to even notice.
That variety is why the night stays fun. Instead of repeating the same trick twice, you get different versions of the speakeasy idea, from classic password culture to more physical, door-in-the-back storytelling.
A practical note: follow your guide’s instructions closely when it comes to entrances. These are places where the staff expects quiet coordination, and your group will typically go in together.
Stop 1 and Stop 2: Two Speakeasies With Very Different Vibes
You’re visiting two hidden bars, and the point is that they don’t feel like carbon copies. One stop might lean toward classic 1920s style, while another can feel more modern and playful.
Some guided groups have been taken to a place called Mobsters, described as having a classy 1920s vibe. Other stops have popped with a totally different flavor, including venues that blend Mexican and Japanese flair, with creative drinks you won’t find on most standard cocktail lists (one example mentioned goat’s milk foam).
What I like about this approach is that you’re tasting the craft and the room at the same time. A speakeasy’s design is part of the experience, not just a backdrop, and the tour pushes you to notice how the bar changes the drink.
Drawback to keep in mind: you’re choosing between only a small set of venues in a short window. If you’re the type who wants six or seven stops, you may want a meal plan and a follow-up strategy for after the tour.
What You’ll Drink: Included Beer and Wine Versus Full Cocktails
The tour includes a guided experience plus beer and wine, depending on the option you select. Your ticket setup also mentions signature cocktail choices, including spirits like tequila, mezcal, pisco, whisky, bourbon, and chartreuse absinthe.
Here’s the budgeting reality: included drinks are not the same thing as unlimited cocktail ordering. If you want a multi-cocktail flight, you’ll likely pay extra beyond the inclusion.
This is where you get the best value if you think like a local: pick one or two signature cocktails you genuinely want, then add something smaller if you’re feeling adventurous. That keeps the night fun without turning into a surprise bill.
If you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t want alcohol, you’re not stuck. Soft drinks are also available, so you can still enjoy the entrance hunt and the atmosphere without feeling left out.
You can also read our reviews of more drinking tours in Paris
The Guide Makes the Whole Thing Feel Easy
The guides are a big part of why this tour earns a high score. I’ve seen names like Maëva and Pierre praised for being personable and genuinely into hosting, not just reading notes. Other guides mentioned include Norbu, Mohona, Félix, and Cali, with a common theme: they connect with the group fast.
You’ll feel that in small ways. Some guides keep the energy moving with group conversation so you don’t have awkward gaps between bars. Others handle timing changes smoothly when the group is delayed, keeping everyone on track.
If you like learning while having a laugh, this is a strong format. You’re not sitting through a lecture. You’re walking, entering secret spaces, and chatting with the person who knows how to translate the speakeasy world into something you can actually understand and enjoy.
Price and Value: Is $41 Worth It in Paris?
At $41 per person for about two hours, this sits in a reasonable middle zone for Paris nightlife. What helps the value story is that you’re getting more than a drink. You’re paying for access plus guidance, and the tour setup includes skip-the-line entry through a separate entrance.
Also, hidden bars cost time and energy. Without a guide, you can spend your night searching for doors you can’t identify, or paying cover elsewhere that doesn’t match the vibe you wanted.
That said, I’d treat this as a guided night with drink options, not an all-inclusive cocktail buffet. Since included items are listed as beer and wine depending on your option, check what your ticket truly covers. If you choose a pricier option expecting a full cocktail, verify what is included so you don’t feel cheated.
Getting the Most Out of the Two-Hour Window
Two hours is short enough to stay exciting, but long enough to feel like an actual night plan. The pacing is built for moving between entrances while still giving you time to settle into each bar.
To make it smoother, arrive with a mindset shift: this isn’t just about drinking. It’s about being part of the group entering places that require attention—listening for cues, waiting when the door opens, and following the guide’s timing.
If you’re the first one to order right away, you may miss some of the fun. I like to wait until I understand the bar vibe, then pick a cocktail that fits the room, not the one that first catches my eye.
After the tour, you’ll usually have better instincts for where to go next. Several guides are known for pointing guests toward other strong nightlife choices, which helps if you want to keep exploring after the speakeasies.
Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Not)
This works best if you want a real Paris night with minimal guesswork. It’s especially good for solo travelers, couples, and groups of friends who want to meet people without turning the night into a chaotic pub crawl.
If you like craft cocktails, this tour is aligned with that too. The drink list includes a lot of spirit directions—tequila, mezcal, pisco, whisky, bourbon, absinthe-based options—so you won’t feel stuck with only one flavor lane.
It’s not for everyone. The listing says it’s not suitable for wheelchair users, likely because of the hidden-door layouts and the walking involved.
And if food is your main priority, you’ll want to eat before. Food is not included, and your best bet is to start with dinner, then use the tour for cocktails and atmosphere.
Should You Book This Paris Speakeasy Tour?
Book it if you want two hours that feel like an adventure, not a checklist. You’ll get secret-entry excitement, different bar atmospheres, and a guide-led night designed for meeting people from all over.
I would skip or think twice if you’re hoping for a fully all-inclusive cocktail night where every drink is guaranteed regardless of your ticket option. In that case, read your inclusion carefully so you can budget for the rest.
If you like the idea of walking into rooms that feel like they were meant to stay secret, this is one of the smarter ways to do it in Paris.
FAQ
What is the duration of the Paris speakeasy tour?
The tour lasts 2 hours.
Where exactly is the meeting point?
Meet outside Filles du Calvaires metro station on Line 8, Exit #2, facing the Cirque d’hiver building.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes. Tours are provided in English.
What languages are available besides English?
French, German, and Spanish are available only for private groups.
How many speakeasy bars do we visit?
The experience focuses on discovering 2 hidden bars.
Are drinks included?
Beer and wine are included depending on the option you select. Soft drinks are also available for non-drinkers.
Is food included?
No, food is not included.
Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?
No, it’s not suitable for wheelchair users.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance.
What is the price of the tour?
The price is listed as $41 per person.
