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

Paris isn’t just about wine bars and chic cocktail lounges. If you’re craving a pint of Guinness, a hearty pub grub meal, or the kind of loud, friendly chatter that only happens when someone knocks over a stool in a corner booth-you’ll find it here. Hidden in plain sight between the cafés and boutiques, Paris has a quiet but thriving scene of Irish and British pubs. Not tourist traps. Not themed gimmicks. Real places where expats, locals, and travelers gather after work, on weekends, or just because they miss the smell of damp wool and old wood.

Why Irish and British Pubs Thrive in Paris

It’s not random. Since the 1980s, thousands of Brits and Irish moved to Paris for work, study, or love. They brought their pub culture with them. And Parisians? They loved it. The vibe is different from French bistros-less formal, more chaotic, louder. You can sit at the bar, order a beer without a waiter hovering, and talk to strangers. That’s rare in France.

These pubs aren’t trying to replicate London or Dublin. They’ve adapted. You’ll find Guinness poured perfectly, but also French cheeses on the menu. You’ll hear Oasis on the speakers, but the bartender might ask if you want your whiskey with a splash of local apple brandy. It’s fusion without trying too hard.

The Top 5 Irish and British Pubs in Paris

Here are the five that actually matter-not because they’re the most Instagrammed, but because they’ve stayed open for over a decade, have regulars who show up every Friday, and know how to make a proper pint.

• The Irish Pub (Le Comptoir de la Bière) - Located in the 6th arrondissement, this place opened in 1992. It’s the oldest Irish pub in Paris still run by the original owner. The Guinness here is poured in two stages, just like in Dublin. The food? Shepherd’s pie that tastes like your mum made it. They don’t take reservations. Show up before 7 PM or wait 20 minutes.
• The British Pub - In the 11th, near the Canal Saint-Martin. Think dark oak, dartboards, and a jukebox with Britpop from 1995 to 2005. They serve proper English pub snacks: pork pies, pickled eggs, and crisps in tins. The owner is from Manchester and insists on real cask ale. Only two kegs a week. You’ll know when they’re out-the lights dim, the music stops, and everyone groans.
• Ye Olde English Pub - A hidden gem in the 18th, tucked under a stairwell near Montmartre. No sign. Just a small brass plaque. Inside, it’s like stepping into a 1970s London pub. The landlord, Derek, has been here since 1987. He’ll tell you stories about the time The Clash played here after a gig. They serve real ale from microbreweries in Kent and Yorkshire. The menu changes weekly based on what’s fresh from the UK.
• The Dubliner - In the Latin Quarter, near the Sorbonne. This one’s popular with students and academics. It’s not fancy, but it’s authentic. The Guinness is always cold, the music is traditional Irish folk, and the corned beef and cabbage is cooked slow for 12 hours. They have live music every Tuesday. No cover. Just a hat passed around.
• The Red Lion - In the 14th, near the Montparnasse cemetery. It’s the only pub in Paris with a proper snooker table that’s actually used. The owner is Welsh. They serve Welsh rarebit, Welsh cakes, and a beer called “Black Velvet” made with stout and champagne. They host a monthly quiz night. Prizes include bottles of Scotch and free pints for a week. Locals show up in teams. Tourists get confused. You’ll fit right in if you just laugh at the bad jokes.

What Makes a Real Irish or British Pub?

Not every place with a Union Jack flag and a keg of Guinness counts. Here’s how to tell the real ones from the fakes:

• The beer is poured slowly. A real pint of Guinness takes 119 seconds. If it’s poured in 30 seconds, it’s not right.
• There’s no menu with sushi. If you see Thai curry or sushi rolls, it’s a tourist trap. Real pubs serve pies, sausages, bangers and mash, or cheese boards.
• The staff know your name. If you go three times and they don’t remember what you drink, you’re in a place that doesn’t care.
• The music isn’t Spotify curated. Real pubs play actual records or CDs. You’ll hear The Pogues, The Smiths, or The Dubliners-not pop remixes.
• The floor is sticky. Not because it’s dirty. Because it’s been spilled on for 30 years. That’s character.

How to Navigate the Pub Crawl

Don’t try to hit all five in one night. You’ll end up asleep on a bench near the Seine. Pick three. Start early. Here’s a smart route:

1. Start at The Irish Pub in the 6th at 6 PM. Have a pint and a sandwich. The food here is the best in the city.
2. Walk to The British Pub in the 11th (15 minutes). Order a cask ale. Ask about the keg schedule.
3. Take the metro to the 18th and hit Ye Olde English Pub. Sit at the bar. Talk to Derek. He won’t mind.

Stop there. Or if you’re still going, head to The Dubliner for live music. Skip The Red Lion unless you’re up for a quiz night. That’s a whole other experience.

Bring cash. Most of these places don’t take cards after 9 PM. And don’t be surprised if someone buys you a drink. It happens. In these pubs, sharing a pint isn’t generosity-it’s tradition.

What to Order

Don’t just ask for “a beer.” Here’s what works:

• Guinness - Always. But ask if it’s from the barrel. If yes, you’re golden.
• Real Ale - Look for “cask-conditioned” on the board. It’s unfiltered, unpressurized, and served at cellar temperature. It tastes like history.
• Whiskey - Try Irish whiskey neat. Jameson or Bushmills. No ice. No soda. Just the spirit.
• Food - Shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, ploughman’s lunch (cheese, pickles, bread, onions). Avoid anything labeled “British-style” unless it’s from the pub’s own kitchen.

What Not to Do

These are the mistakes tourists make-and locals roll their eyes at:

• Don’t ask for “a beer like in London.” Every pub is different. Let them surprise you.
• Don’t complain about the price. A pint here costs €7. In London, it’s €10. In Dublin, it’s €11. You’re getting a deal.
• Don’t take photos of the bar like it’s a museum. These are living rooms, not set pieces.
• Don’t try to speak French to the bartender unless they start it. Most of them speak English perfectly. They’re just waiting for you to relax.

When to Go

These pubs aren’t nightclubs. They’re slow-burning social hubs.

• Weekdays (5-8 PM) - Best time to get a seat. Locals come after work. Quiet, friendly, no lines.
• Fridays (8 PM-midnight) - Lively. Music starts. The crowd shifts from expats to locals. Good energy.
• Saturdays - Crowded. Go early or wait till 10 PM. Some pubs have live music or quiz nights.
• Sundays - Quiet. Perfect for a slow afternoon pint. Some pubs serve Sunday roasts.

Final Tip: Be a Guest, Not a Tourist

These pubs survive because they feel like home to people who left home. You’re not just visiting. You’re stepping into someone else’s living room. Don’t act like you’re on a checklist. Sit down. Order something you’ve never tried. Talk to the person next to you. Ask where they’re from. You might hear a story about a pub in Belfast, a factory in Manchester, or a farm in County Clare.

That’s the point. Not the beer. Not the music. Not even the Guinness. It’s the people. And in Paris, where everything else feels polished and perfect, these pubs are gloriously, beautifully messy.