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

Paris isn’t just about croissants and wine. If you’re looking for a pint of Guinness, a crisp English ale, or the kind of noisy, warm, wood-paneled pub where strangers become friends by last call, you’ll find it here-hidden in plain sight among the cobblestones and café terraces. The city has quietly built one of Europe’s most authentic collections of Irish and British pubs, each with its own character, history, and loyal crowd. Forget the tourist traps with fake accents and overpriced drinks. This is a guide to the real ones-the places locals swear by, where the beer flows cold, the music is live, and the conversation never stops.

Why Irish and British Pubs Thrive in Paris

It’s not random. Since the 1980s, British expats and Irish students have settled in Paris, bringing their pub culture with them. Unlike American-style bars, these spots aren’t about flashing neon or DJs. They’re about comfort: sticky floors, dartboards, old newspaper clippings on the walls, and bartenders who remember your name after one visit. The French don’t have a tradition of neighborhood pubs, so these spaces filled a gap. Today, over 40 Irish and British-style pubs operate in Paris, with a dozen standing out as true institutions.

Why do they work so well? Because they offer something Parisian bars rarely do: a sense of belonging. You don’t need to speak French to feel at home here. You just need to order a pint, find a seat, and let the buzz take over.

The Top 5 Irish Pubs in Paris

Not all Irish pubs in Paris are created equal. Some are themed restaurants with shamrock napkins. Others feel like they were dropped straight from Dublin. Here are the five that earn the label.

• The Dubliner (11 Rue des Martyrs, 9th arrondissement) - Opened in 1992, this is the oldest continuously running Irish pub in Paris. The wood is dark, the Guinness is poured perfectly, and the live trad music on weekends draws crowds from all over the city. Don’t miss the Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding-it’s the only one in Paris that tastes like home.
• Irish Embassy (38 Rue de la Tour d’Auvergne, 9th arrondissement) - A no-frills, no-tourist zone joint. The beer list is all Irish: Guinness, Kilkenny, Murphy’s, and the rare Dungarvan Stout. The owner, a Cork native, still pours pints with the same hand he’s used since 1998. The dartboard is always in use. The jukebox? Only Irish rock-The Pogues, U2, and The Cranberries.
• Barleycorn (23 Rue des Martyrs, 9th arrondissement) - Right next to The Dubliner, this one’s quieter, with a better whiskey selection. Over 120 Irish whiskeys line the shelves, from Jameson to rare single malts. The staff can tell you the difference between a pot still and a grain whiskey without blinking. Perfect for sipping slowly, not slamming.
• The Irish Pub (11 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 9th arrondissement) - A hidden gem with a back garden that turns into a summer beer garden. They host monthly ceilidhs (traditional Irish dances), and the staff are all from Galway. The food is simple: fish and chips, beef stew, soda bread. No menus. Just ask what’s fresh.
• Claddagh (14 Rue des Petits-Champs, 2nd arrondissement) - Near the Louvre, this one surprises you. It’s small, cozy, and packed with locals after work. They have a rotating tap of Irish craft beers and a weekly open mic night for singer-songwriters. The owner, a former Dublin bouncer, still checks IDs with a grin and a wink.

The Best British Pubs in Paris

British pubs in Paris lean into the classic: real ales, pub grub, and a sense of order. You won’t find cocktails here unless they’re a gin and tonic made with proper tonic water and a generous wedge of lime.

• The English Pub (35 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 10th arrondissement) - This is the closest thing to a London pub in Paris. Real cask ales from microbreweries in Kent and Yorkshire. The beer engine is still hand-pumped. They serve proper ploughman’s lunches with cheddar from Somerset and pickled onions that taste like your nan’s kitchen. The regulars? Mostly Brits, but also French beer nerds who’ve learned to say "ale" without laughing.
• The Red Lion (10 Rue des Rosiers, 4th arrondissement) - In the heart of Le Marais, this pub has been around since 1995. It’s got a fireplace, a dartboard, and a wall covered in old football scarves from Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool. They show every Premier League match, and the crowd sings along like they’re in the stands. The Sunday roast here is legendary-slow-roasted beef, Yorkshire pudding, and gravy that’s been simmering since 8 a.m.
• Londoner (21 Rue de la Fontaine au Roi, 11th arrondissement) - A bit more modern, but still deeply British. They serve over 20 real ales on tap, sourced from independent UK brewers. The food menu includes Scotch eggs, sausage rolls, and sticky toffee pudding. The staff wear tweed vests and know the difference between a bitter and a mild. This is where you go if you want to feel like you’ve stepped into a pub in Brighton.
• The White Horse (10 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 11th arrondissement) - A favorite among British expats working in finance. The decor is classic: leather booths, brass rails, and a long bar with a mirror behind it. They have a dedicated whiskey corner with over 60 Scotch options. The pub quiz nights are intense-teams come armed with trivia binders. Winners get a free pint. Losers? They’re back next week.
• The Crown (27 Rue de la Roquette, 12th arrondissement) - A no-frills, no-sign, no-tourists kind of place. The only sign? A faded red crown above the door. Inside, it’s all about the beer. They import cask ales directly from a brewery in Bristol. The owner, a former London pub landlord, still opens at 4 p.m. and closes when the last person leaves. No music. No TV. Just conversation, clinking glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter.

How to Do a Proper Pub Crawl

A pub crawl in Paris isn’t about drinking as fast as you can. It’s about pacing, atmosphere, and the journey between stops. Here’s how to do it right.

1. Start early. Most pubs open at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. If you show up at 8 p.m., you’ll be fighting for a seat. Aim for 5:30 p.m. to catch the after-work crowd and settle in.
2. Stick to the 9th and 10th arrondissements. This is the heart of the expat pub scene. Walk from The Dubliner to The Irish Embassy to Barleycorn-it’s all under 15 minutes. You’ll see the city change from touristy to local.
3. Order the local drink. In Irish pubs, it’s Guinness or a whiskey. In British pubs, it’s real ale or a gin and tonic. Don’t ask for a mojito. You’ll get a look.
4. Ask for the food. Most of these pubs serve better pub grub than most French bistros. Try the fish and chips, the shepherd’s pie, or the ploughman’s lunch. It’s all made fresh daily.
5. Stay until last call. Most pubs close at 2 a.m. The real magic happens after midnight, when the regulars take over and the music gets louder. Don’t rush.

What to Avoid

There are dozens of fake Irish and British pubs in Paris. They’re the ones with:

• Over-the-top leprechaun decorations
• Menu prices over €15 for a pint
• Staff who don’t know what Guinness is supposed to taste like
• English-language signs that misspell "pub" as "pup"
• Live music that sounds like a karaoke version of "Danny Boy"

Check the crowd. If everyone looks like they’re on a guided tour, walk away. If the barman is pouring a pint with care, and someone’s singing along to a U2 song, you’re in the right place.

Seasonal Events You Can’t Miss

Paris’s Irish and British pubs come alive during certain times of year.

• St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) - The whole 9th arrondissement turns into a street party. The Dubliner and Irish Embassy host all-day events with live bands, free corned beef sandwiches, and Guinness flowing from morning until midnight.
• Christmas Markets (late November-December) - The Red Lion and The English Pub set up mulled wine and mince pie stands. They even decorate with holly and mistletoe.
• Premier League Match Days - Every weekend, British pubs turn into mini-stadiums. Bring your scarf. Bring your voice. Don’t be surprised if you end up hugging a stranger after a last-minute goal.
• Oktoberfest (September) - Yes, even in Paris. The Crown and The White Horse host German beer nights with British pub snacks. It’s weird. It’s wonderful.

Final Tip: Bring Cash

Many of these pubs still don’t take cards. Especially the older ones. The Dubliner, The Red Lion, and The Crown only accept cash. Keep €20-€30 on you. You’ll thank yourself later.

Paris is full of surprises. You can spend a week here and never see the real soul of the city. But if you walk into one of these pubs, order a pint, and let the conversation carry you, you’ll understand why so many people come back-not for the Eiffel Tower, but for the people who make this city feel like home.