curioparlor.com

No self-respecting Parisian would be caught dead in the Latin Quarter after dark. The area is touristy, crowded, and not very cool. Or at least it hasn’t been until now. The same people who brought the Experimental Cocktail Club to the Montorgueil district present the Curio Parlor, a gem hidden in a corner of the Latin Quarter. The owners call the concept “Speakeasy Rive Gauche” and Left-Bankers are ecstatic that they finally don’t need to cross the river for a good night out. This place, unmarked and difficult to find, has elevated the art of the cocktail to new heights — from the Manhattan Rye to the perfect Spiced Mule — without pandering to the beer crowd. This is still Paris though, and décor and vibe are the keys to success. How about a cabinet de curiosities filled with taxidermied animals? How about butterflies suspended in glass cases and hunting trophies hung behind the Art Deco-inspired bar? Dim lighting, emerald-velour alcove seating, and a wide range of world music? Mix in a stylish, diverse crowd and silent movies downstairs and you have the recipe for a very special bar.

16 Rue de Bernadins, Paris, France   +330144071247