Speakeasy, Explore hidden bars in Paris

REVIEW · PARIS

Speakeasy, Explore hidden bars in Paris

  • 4.8164 reviews
  • 2 hours
  • From $34
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Operated by Felix Weyama · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Secret doors beat tourist queues.

This Paris speakeasy night turns the city’s nightlife into a puzzle you can actually solve, with three secret bars and a live guide guiding you door to door. I like that the pace lets you linger—no sprinting between entrances—and you’ll get a feel for how Paris nightlife really works after dark. One thing to factor in: drinks and food cost extra, so the tour price covers the experience, not the bar tab.

If you want an easy way to meet people, this small-group setup is built for it. With a limit of 7 participants, the guide can keep the conversation going and help everyone feel comfortable in rooms that are intentionally hard to find. The only drawback worth planning around is simple: you’ll walk a bit in between stops, so wear shoes you don’t mind getting a little street-dust on.

And yes, you can still do it even if you don’t drink alcohol. The tour includes amazing cocktails in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, which makes it friendly for teetotalers and mixed groups. Just budget time to order something you genuinely like, since the drinks are not included.

Key highlights worth your attention

Speakeasy, Explore hidden bars in Paris - Key highlights worth your attention

  • Meet at République and get sent into the city’s nightlife by a guide who knows the angles
  • Small group size (max 7), which makes conversation and introductions feel natural
  • Three speakeasy stops with reservations and skip-the-line access
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails so the night works for different tastes
  • Different entry tricks at each bar, keeping the evening feeling fresh

Finding the meeting point at République without stress

Your night starts at Place de la République, where your guide will be standing at the monument side with a lion facing Wall Street English. It sounds oddly specific, and that’s the point: the city loves landmarks, but speakeasy bars love secrecy. This meeting setup helps you start confident instead of wandering.

There’s also a short transfer built in—about 10 minutes of walking before the bar portion of the tour. That’s long enough to reset your bearings and short enough that you’re not tired before you even see the first secret door. If you show up a few minutes early, you’ll avoid that awkward moment of scanning groups while trying to look casual.

You can also read our reviews of more nightlife experiences in Paris

A tight 2-hour speakeasy circuit designed for comfort

Speakeasy, Explore hidden bars in Paris - A tight 2-hour speakeasy circuit designed for comfort
The advertised duration is 2 hours, and the format is straightforward: you move through three speakeasy bars with time to order and settle in. In practice, the tour isn’t built like a cattle-call bar crawl. You can linger at each stop rather than getting yanked along the second your drink arrives.

Two details make this feel smoother than many nightlife tours:

  • Skip-the-line access via a separate entrance means you’re not stuck outside while people inside debate your booking time.
  • Small group size (up to 7) means the guide can manage the flow, answer questions, and still keep everyone moving at a human pace.

You’ll also see that the tour is set up for mixed group energy. One night can include solo people, couples, and larger parties, and the guide’s job is to keep it friendly and not chaotic. If you like nightlife but hate the overwhelm of big crowds, this format is a solid match.

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails: the bar menu is part of the fun

Speakeasy, Explore hidden bars in Paris - Alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails: the bar menu is part of the fun
This is not just a walk-and-hope experience. The tour includes stops where you can enjoy cocktails, with options for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. That matters more than it sounds. When everyone has something they enjoy, you actually spend the night talking instead of waiting for someone to finish a drink they don’t like.

A good guide also helps you make sense of menus quickly. In the feedback from recent groups, hosts like Natalia, Marc, and Felix get praise for explaining drink choices and keeping the group comfortable. I’d treat that as a cue to use the first bar to tell the guide what you like—sweet, bitter, citrusy, spirit-forward, low-alcohol, or zero-proof. When the guide knows your direction, the rest of the night tends to feel easier.

And since food and drinks are not included in the booking fee, you’ll want to bring a realistic budget for at least a few orders. If you’re strict about spending, pick one signature cocktail you really want, then add something smaller as the night goes on.

Three secret bars, three different ways in

The structure is simple: three speakeasy bars, each with its own vibe and its own entry style. The “secret” part isn’t just decor. The entry experience is part of the show—some places work differently, so you stay alert instead of getting bored after the second stop.

Recent groups also noted variety in atmosphere. One tour instance even included a later bar with a dance floor, which is a nice surprise if you thought you’d only be standing at cocktail height all night. The takeaway for you: expect changing energy across the tour. You’re not locked into one kind of room for two hours straight.

What I like about this design is that it feels like learning nightlife skills, not just consuming drinks. You start to understand how Paris bars handle identity: discreet entrances, staff who expect you to know what you want, and guides who handle the “how do we get in here?” part for you.

The guide: the difference between a good night and a great one

In this kind of experience, the guide doesn’t just translate directions. They create the tone. The feedback strongly points to hosts bringing energy, warmth, and smart conversation—names that come up include Natalia, Marc, Felix, and Zyad. Different guides, same goal: make the room feel welcoming and help you click with other people in the group.

That’s especially helpful if you’re solo. A speakeasy tour is social by nature—you’re stepping into small spaces—but it can also be awkward if no one drives conversation. The best nights are the ones where the guide gets people talking early and then keeps that rhythm going.

I also like the practical side of it. Several groups received follow-up recommendations—lists of other bars and options for what to do next in Paris. Not everyone gets a follow-up message, but it’s a good sign to ask for suggestions at the end. If you learn one more bar to check out, the tour keeps paying off after you leave.

One more language note that matters: the tour guide is English-speaking, but the operator says they can accommodate Spanish, German, Italian, or Chinese by request. If your French is basic and you want less stress, this matters.

You can also read our reviews of more drinking tours in Paris

Price and value: what $34 really buys you

At $34 per person for a 2-hour experience, this sits in a “reasonable for the format” category—especially because you’re not just paying for walking and storytelling. You’re paying for:

  • Entrance to speakeasy bars
  • Reservations at the bars
  • Skip-the-line access through a separate entrance
  • A live guide to handle the secret-bar logistics

Here’s the fair way to think about it: since food and drinks are not included, your final night cost will depend on what you order. If you plan to drink a lot, you’ll spend more. If you order one main cocktail at each stop, you’ll spend like you planned and still feel the experience was worth it.

Does the tour replace buying drinks on your own? Not really. It replaces the hardest part: finding the right doors, timing reservations, and getting access without standing around guessing. In Paris, that’s the value.

And because the group is small, you’re not paying for a mass-production night. You’re paying for an experience that’s set up to work at real-person scale.

What you’ll do during the night, stop by stop

You start at République, find your guide, then take a short 10-minute walk. That early walking segment is useful because it gets you oriented to the area before you enter places where you’ll be facing small entrances and tight navigation.

From there, you’re in the bar cycle for around 2 hours total. You’ll visit three speakeasy bars. At each stop, expect the same basic flow:

  1. Find the entrance (and get in without the usual confusion)
  2. Sit in and order drinks
  3. Let the guide explain the vibe and help with menu choices

You should also expect the evening to feel like a guided tour of “how Paris hides things,” not a rigid checklist. Many people praise the guide’s ability to keep everyone comfortable and moving, and that’s what makes speakeasy bars enjoyable instead of stressful.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want a different plan)

This tour is designed to fit a wide range of group types. The provided info specifically calls out that it welcomes solo travelers, couples, teetotalers, and even bachelor/bachelorette groups. It’s also described as working for family outings, likely because non-alcoholic cocktail options keep the experience inclusive.

Here’s who I think gets the most out of it:

  • Solo visitors who want to meet people without forcing it
  • Couples who want date-night energy with structure
  • Teetotalers or low-alcohol drinkers who still want to enjoy the “cocktail culture” side
  • People who hate big bar crawls and prefer a controlled small-group pace

If you’re the type who already knows all the best bar doors and plans to hop independently, you might feel you’re paying for a shortcut. But if you want that shortcut plus conversation and reserved entry, it’s a smart use of one night in Paris.

Tips to make your speakeasy night go smoothly

A few practical moves will help you get the most from the evening:

  • Tell the guide your drink direction early. If you like sweet vs. dry, citrus vs. smoky, alcoholic vs. zero-proof, say it on the first stop.
  • Budget for drinks and any food you want. The tour includes entrance and reservations, not the bar bill.
  • Wear comfy shoes. It’s not a marathon, but you’re walking enough that sore feet will ruin the mood.
  • Keep your expectations flexible. Each bar can have a different vibe and entry style, so the night won’t be identical from start to finish.

If you want the night to feel special, treat it like a guided evening out, not like an errand. You’re there to enjoy the room, not just tick off locations.

Should you book this Paris Speakeasy Adventure?

If your goal is a fun Paris night with secret-bar access, a small group, and a guide who helps you order and settle in, I’d book it. The best reason is simple: you get three speakeasy stops in about two hours with reservations and skip-the-line entry, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to find the city’s quieter side.

Book it especially if you’re going solo, want to meet people without awkwardness, or need non-alcoholic cocktail options. The only real “don’t book yet” scenario is if you hate paying extra at each bar. Since drinks aren’t included, your total cost depends on what you order.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Place de la République, with your guide standing at the monument side that has a lion facing Wall Street English.

How long is the Paris Speakeasy tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours, and there’s also a short 10-minute walk at the beginning.

How many people are in the group?

The group is kept small, with a maximum of 7 participants.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the live tour guide is in English. You can request other languages such as Spanish, German, Italian, or Chinese.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. The tour includes entrance and reservations, but food and drinks are not included in the booking fee.

How many speakeasy bars do you visit?

You visit three speakeasy bars during the tour.

Can you get non-alcoholic cocktails?

Yes. The tour offers cocktails in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.

Do you get a reserved entrance and skip the line?

Yes. You get reservations at the bars and skip the line through a separate entrance.

What are the cancellation rules?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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