The Ultimate Pub Crawl: A Guide to Irish and British Bars in Paris

Paris isn’t just about croissants and cathedrals. By 8 p.m., the city’s backstreets come alive with the sound of clinking pint glasses, live folk music, and the thick smell of Guinness settling in a proper pub. If you’ve ever wandered down a quiet lane in Montmartre or the Marais and stumbled upon a red-brick facade with a wooden sign that says "The Dubliner" or "The Crown & Anchor," you’ve found one of Paris’s best-kept secrets: a thriving scene of authentic Irish and British pubs.

Why Irish and British Pubs Thrive in Paris

It’s not just nostalgia. After World War II, British and Irish expats began settling in Paris in large numbers-teachers, artists, journalists, and workers. They missed their local pubs, so they built them. Today, over 40 Irish and British-style pubs operate across the city, many run by natives who moved here decades ago and never left. These aren’t themed tourist traps with plastic leprechauns. These are real pubs with real regulars, proper ales on tap, and staff who know the difference between a stout and a bitter.

Their survival? Loyalty. Locals come for the Guinness that tastes like it was poured in Dublin. Tourists come for the atmosphere. But the real draw? The sense of belonging. In a city where language barriers can feel thick, these pubs are quiet islands of English-speaking comfort. You can order a pint without fumbling through French, chat with the barkeep about the latest Premier League match, or sit by the window with a book while rain taps on the glass.

The Best Irish Pubs in Paris

Not all Irish pubs are created equal. Some are loud, overpriced, and packed with stag parties. Others? They feel like stepping into a living room in Galway.

• The Dubliner (12 Rue des Martyrs, 9th arrondissement) - Opened in 1994 by an Irishman from Cork, this place has no TVs, no neon signs, and no cover charge. The Guinness here is poured with the classic two-part technique-wait for the settle, then top it off. The jukebox plays Van Morrison, not Ed Sheeran. Regulars include retired British diplomats and French locals who learned English here.
• Shamrock (23 Rue de la Tour d’Auvergne, 9th arrondissement) - This is where you go for live trad music. Every Thursday, a fiddler and a bodhrán player take the corner stage. The whiskey selection? Over 60 Irish bottlings, including rare single casks. Don’t miss the boxty-Irish potato pancakes served with sour cream and smoked salmon.
• The Irish House (13 Rue des Rosiers, 4th arrondissement) - Hidden in the heart of Le Marais, this spot feels like a time capsule. The walls are lined with vintage photos of Irish rebels and British soldiers. They serve a proper pint of Murphy’s Stout, which you won’t find in most Parisian bars. The owner, Declan, still makes his own pickled eggs.

These places don’t advertise. They don’t need to. Word of mouth keeps them full. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a night when the bartender pulls out the old gramophone and plays a 1960s folk record. That’s when you know you’re in the right place.

The Best British Pubs in Paris

British pubs in Paris are quieter, more reserved, but no less authentic. They’re the kind of places where you’ll see a man in a tweed jacket reading the Financial Times over a bitter, or a group of students debating Brexit over a ploughman’s lunch.

• The Crown & Anchor (32 Rue du Faubourg du Temple, 11th arrondissement) - Opened in 1988 by a Londoner who missed proper ale, this pub imports cask-conditioned ales directly from microbreweries in Kent and Yorkshire. Their best seller? The “London Pride” from Fuller’s. They also serve real pub snacks: pork pies, pickled onions, and cheese and pickle sandwiches. No fries. No nachos. Just British.
• The Red Lion (11 Rue des Martyrs, 9th arrondissement) - This is the closest thing to a traditional English pub you’ll find in Paris. The floor is worn from decades of boots. The ceiling is low. The beer is served at cellar temperature. They host monthly quiz nights-teams of six, pens and paper, questions on British TV from the 80s. Winning means a free pint. Losing means you buy the next round.
• The Coach and Horses (17 Rue des Martyrs, 9th arrondissement) - A favorite among journalists and academics. The walls are covered in old newspaper clippings about the Queen’s coronation, the Falklands War, and the 1966 World Cup. They have a single, well-worn pool table and a back room where you can order a dram of Scotch with your meal. The staff remembers your name after one visit.

What makes these pubs special isn’t the decor-it’s the consistency. You can come back five years later and the same barkeep will pour your pint the same way. The same playlist will be on. The same rules apply: no phones at the bar, no loud talking after 10 p.m., and always pay for your next round before you leave.

How to Do a Real Pub Crawl in Paris

A pub crawl isn’t about drinking as much as you can. It’s about the journey. Here’s how to do it right.

1. Start in the 9th arrondissement. Begin at The Dubliner for a proper Guinness. Stay for one pint. Talk to the locals. Ask about their stories.
2. Walk to Shamrock (10 minutes). If it’s Thursday, stay for the music. If not, have a whiskey and a bowl of Irish stew.
3. Head to The Crown & Anchor (15-minute walk). Order a cask ale. Eat a pork pie. Ask the bartender which brewery it’s from.
4. Walk to The Red Lion (10 minutes). Play a round of darts. Join a quiz if it’s happening. Don’t be shy-everyone here speaks English.
5. End at The Coach and Horses. Order a dram of Laphroaig. Sit by the window. Watch the streetlights come on.

Walk between each pub. Don’t take a taxi. The streets of Paris at night are part of the experience. You’ll pass old bookshops, bakeries with lights still on, and couples walking hand-in-hand. You’ll hear snippets of French, English, and maybe even Gaelic.

Drink slowly. Savor each place. Don’t rush. The goal isn’t to get drunk-it’s to feel at home in a city that doesn’t always feel like home.

What to Order (And What to Skip)

These pubs don’t serve cocktails. They don’t do mojitos or espresso martinis. If you see one on the menu, walk out. Here’s what you should order instead:

• Guinness - Always. But make sure it’s poured fresh. A real pint takes 119 seconds.
• Cask Ale - Look for “real ale” on the board. It’s unfiltered, naturally carbonated, and served at 12°C.
• Whiskey - Irish or Scotch. Neat or with a splash of water. Never with soda.
• English Bitter - Look for names like “Best Bitter” or “Ordinary Bitter.” Light, hoppy, and refreshing.
• Ploughman’s Lunch - Cold ham, cheddar, pickles, bread. The perfect pub snack.

Avoid: beer cocktails, sweet lagers, bottled Guinness (it’s never the same), and anything labeled “Irish Cream.” That’s not Irish. That’s a dessert.

When to Go

These pubs are quiet during the day. The real magic happens after 6 p.m. on weekdays, and especially on weekends. But here’s the secret: the best nights are Tuesday and Wednesday. Tourists are gone. Locals are out. The music starts. The conversation flows. You’ll get a seat. You’ll be served fast. And you might even be invited to join a game of darts.

Don’t go on Friday or Saturday if you want peace. Those nights are for students and tourists who don’t know the difference between a pint and a shot. Go midweek if you want to experience what these pubs were built for: community.

What to Expect (And What Not to Expect)

You won’t find neon signs, DJs, or bottle service. You won’t be asked for your ID every time you order. You won’t be rushed. You won’t be charged €15 for a pint. Most pints cost between €6 and €8. That’s right-less than a coffee in some parts of Paris.

You will find:

• Staff who remember your name
• Tables that have been scratched by decades of pint glasses
• Books left behind by regulars
• A quiet hum of conversation, not loud music
• A sense that you’re not a tourist-you’re a guest

These pubs aren’t trying to impress you. They’re just trying to serve a good pint and keep the lights on. And that’s why they’ve lasted.

Final Tip: Be Respectful

These places are sacred to the people who run them. Don’t take selfies at the bar. Don’t demand a cocktail. Don’t speak loudly on your phone. Don’t act like you own the place because you paid for a drink.

Instead, say hello. Ask the bartender where they’re from. Listen to the stories. Order a round for the person next to you. Leave a tip-even if it’s just €1. And if you come back next year, you’ll find the same face behind the bar, pouring your pint the same way.

That’s the real magic of Irish and British pubs in Paris. They’re not about the alcohol. They’re about the people. And once you’ve sat in one, you’ll understand why so many have stayed.