Secret doors and passcodes make Paris feel like a movie. This Paris speakeasy tour takes you to two underground bars you’d never spot on your own, with a guide who actually enjoys the scene (I love that many groups rave about hosts like Maëva and Pierre). You get the thrill of finding the right door, plus a short history of how speakeasies became part of the city’s nightlife.

I also like the social side: you’re grouped with a mix of solo travelers and couples, and the vibe is friendly while you share cocktails and stories. And the drink menu is broad, from tequila and mezcal to whisky, bourbon, chartreuse, and absinthe, so you can tailor your choices to your mood.

One consideration: it’s not a quiet, sit-down tasting. You’ll be walking and standing for the bar-hopping pace, and it’s not suitable for wheelchair users.

Why This Speakeasy Tour Feels Different From a Typical Night Out

Paris at night has a reputation for being stylish and expensive. This tour tries to solve the two big problems: figuring out where to go, and feeling awkward when you arrive.

The core idea is simple. You meet at a clear metro landmark, then follow your guide through doorways that rely on passwords, hidden passages, or invitation-style entry. Each bar changes the mood: some have the classic 1920s feel (one favorite called Mobsters gets mentioned for exactly that), while others lean more modern and experimental.

And because you’re not just wandering, you’re getting context. Guides often add stories about the speakeasy culture and what makes each spot work, so the night feels like a guided experience instead of a drinks-only mission.

Meeting Point and Timing: Showing Up Without Stress

You’ll meet outside Filles du Calvaires metro station (Line 8), exit #2, facing the Cirque d’hiver building. It’s the kind of meeting point that’s easy to confirm from the street, which matters when you’re heading toward places that are hard to find.

The tour runs 2 hours, and it moves at a steady walking-and-stopping pace. That timeframe is part of the value. In Paris, “night plans” can stretch or collapse fast; here, your itinerary is built to land at the right doors, then keep the momentum going.

If you’re the type who gets nervous about lateness, you’ll feel better knowing that some groups describe guides adjusting when people arrive a bit late. Still, I’d aim to be there early. With places that use passcodes and hidden entrances, a few minutes can matter.

What You’ll Actually Do: Two Hidden Bars (Plus Optional Extra Mood)

The tour is built around two hidden-bar stops. The experience is about the journey between them as much as the drinks. You’ll cross thresholds that don’t look like entrances: behind a normal-looking wall, through a concealed passage, or via the kind of door that opens only when the right information is provided.

In the real world, you may also get an extra stop depending on how the night runs. Some groups describe seeing two main speakeasies with an additional third stop sometimes offered as optional. Treat it like a bonus rather than a guarantee.

Stop 1: The “How Do We Get In?” Moment

The first bar often sets the tone for the whole night. Expect an atmosphere that feels themed—some venues lean 1920s/classy with dressy energy, while others feel more contemporary and playful.

A couple of entrance styles show up in descriptions:

• Passcode entry, where you unlock the door with the correct code
• Hidden doors accessed from the back, which can feel like you’ve walked into a secret set

The win here is confidence. When someone else handles the entry steps, you can focus on enjoying the room instead of guessing.

Stop 2: A Different Vibe and Different Drink Personality

The second bar is usually chosen to contrast the first. One favorite described a Mexican-and-Japanese-flair menu, with creative cocktail combinations and even a more unusual texture like goat’s milk foam.

Another group highlighted how one bar felt “harder to find” and more hip, compared with the classic feel of another stop. That contrast is the point. You’re not paying to repeat the same atmosphere twice.

Optional Third Stop (When Offered)

When a third stop is included, it tends to be a way to extend the night without losing the guided structure. In one description, this added an element like live underground music and dim sum afterward, which turns the tour into more of an evening plan than just two quick drinks.

Cocktails, Beer, and Wine: What Comes With Your Ticket

You’re paying for access, guidance, and the bar experience. Your included drinks depend on the option you select, but the data clearly says beer and wine may be included depending on your chosen option.

Also key: you should know you can order soft drinks if you’re not drinking. That makes the tour workable if you’re going with someone who wants the nightlife vibe but isn’t into alcohol.

On the cocktail front, the menu range mentioned is wide: tequila, mezcal, pisco, whisky, bourbon, chartreuse, and absinthe. I like that you’re not trapped in one flavor lane. If you’re sensitive to strong spirits, you can often choose something smoother or more balanced. If you’re a spirits person, the options here let you go as deep as you want.

And yes, it’s a bar-hopping night, not a food tour. Food isn’t included. If you want dinner, plan it before you start or after you finish, depending on your appetite and how late the nightlife mood runs.

The Real Star: Your Guide and the Social Angle

The most consistently praised part of this experience is the guide. Names come up again and again, and the pattern is clear: people talk about guides who are warm, easy to talk to, and genuinely invested in making the night fun.

You’ll see this show up in how groups describe the flow:

• Small-group energy that helps you meet people instead of feeling stuck in a corner
• Hosts who keep the group comfortable and encourage conversation
• Guides who make the secret-bar process feel smooth, even when entry rules change

Some specific hosts mentioned include:

• Maëva, praised for personable energy and enjoying meeting people
• Pierre, noted for guiding groups confidently and helping people enjoy both classic and less-obvious spots
• Norbu, described as friendly and easy to talk with
• Felix, credited with adding helpful context and making the group feel like a real unit
• Mohona and Halimé, praised for early contact, meeting coordination, and special attention to making sure directions and timing work

I also like that the tour isn’t only for heavy drinkers. The group mix can include cocktail lovers, nightlife enthusiasts, couples, and solo travelers, plus non-drinkers who still want the story and the secret door experience.

Price and Value: Is $41 a Good Deal for Paris at Night?

At $41 per person for 2 hours, you’re not just paying for drinks. You’re paying for three practical things:

1. Access to bars with controlled entry (passcodes, hidden entrances, invitation-style setups)
2. Time savings from skipping guesswork and detours across the city
3. A human guide who handles the “how do we get in” part and keeps the pacing smooth

That matters in Paris. Secret bars often live in areas where a solo search could eat your night. Here, you buy a route that’s already built to work.

Do the math: if your included option covers alcohol, you’re already offsetting part of the cost. If it doesn’t cover every drink, you still get a guided night that’s hard to replicate cheaply because the value is in entry and navigation, not just the beverage.

One drawback to watch for: the only “gotcha” that appears in the provided information is about drink-included options. If you’re choosing a higher-cost option that promises a drink, double-check what’s actually included for your selection before you arrive.

Walking, Standing, and Comfort: What to Plan For

This is a nightlife tour. That means you should plan like you’re going out, not like you’re touring museums.

Expect:

• Standing while entering and ordering
• Walking between spots
• Weather variation, since the tour follows street access and metro landmarks

It’s also not suitable for wheelchair users, which is important to consider if mobility is a factor.

If you’re deciding what to wear, think about doors-in-the-city life: comfortable shoes, light layers, and a jacket you’ll be able to keep with you between stops.

Languages and Group Style: English-Friendly, Globally Mixed

Tours are offered in English. Other languages (French, German, Spanish) are available only for private groups, so if you want a language match, you’ll likely need to book accordingly.

The group style is flexible: it can run as a standard group with a mix of ages and travel styles, and private or small groups are available. If you want more control over your pace or prefer fewer people around you while entering tight spaces, the small-group option is worth considering.

Where This Tour Fits Best (And When It Might Not)

You’ll love this if:

• You want a specific Paris nightlife experience rather than a generic bar crawl
• You enjoy craft cocktails and want options beyond the basics
• You like meeting people while still having a guide to keep everything organized
• You’re curious about speakeasy culture and the story behind the city’s underground spaces

You might not love it if:

• You want a long, food-centered evening (food isn’t included)
• You need full accessibility accommodations
• You dislike standing and walking during a 2-hour outing

Final Word: Should You Book the Paris Speakeasy and Hidden Bars Tour?

If you’re the type who enjoys secret entrances, strong cocktail menus, and the feeling of stepping into a different Paris for one night, I think this is an easy yes.

You’re paying for the hardest part: finding and entering places that are designed to be difficult. With guides like Maëva and Pierre getting high praise for energy and keeping the night smooth, you’re also buying confidence, not just cocktails.

My only advice before you commit: choose your drink option carefully, and plan to go in with the right mindset. Bring curiosity, be social, and keep your shoes comfortable. If you do that, this tour turns Paris nightlife into something you’ll remember long after the last sip.

FAQ

How long is the Paris Speakeasy and Hidden Bars Tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet outside Filles du Calvaires metro station (Line 8), exit #2, facing the Cirque d’hiver building.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a guided tour and beer and wine depending on the option selected. Food is not included.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes, the tour is provided in English. Other languages are available only for private groups.

Are there options for non-drinkers?

Yes. Soft drinks are available for non-drinkers.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users.