Candelaria in Paris's 3e is the taqueria-and-speakeasy hybrid where you order tacos up front and find the bar through the door behind the kitchen.
Food program: Tacos at the front taqueria
Tip: The taqueria takes walk-ins; the bar opens 18:00. The mezcal flight is €18 for three pours.
Address: 52 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris
Bar du Costes inside Hôtel Costes in Paris is the velvet-and-gilt bar Stéphane Pompougnac once soundtracked. Pampelune (gin, grapefruit) is the order.
Signature drink: Pampelune
Food: Bistro carte
Tip: Reservations recommended after 21:00. The terrace garden is the warmer-weather pick.
Le Mary Celeste in Paris's 3e doubles as wine bar and cocktail bar. The Oyster Mary, an inversion of the bloody, gets the room press it deserves.
Signature drink: Oyster Mary
Food: Oysters and small plates
Tip: Happy hour is daily 16:00-18:00; oysters at €1.20 each pair with the Oyster Mary.
Prescription Cocktail Club in Paris's 6e is the Experimental group's Left Bank sister, more relaxed than the 2e mothership and easier on a Friday walk-up.
Signature drink: Custom-built cocktails
Food: Snacks
Tip: No reservations. The Sunday DJ from 22:00 is the slow-start shift to aim for if you want a seat.
Copper Bay in Paris's 10e is the maritime-themed bar Aurélie Pannequin and her crew built into a corner of the Faubourg Saint-Denis cocktail strip.
Signature drink: Tiki-tilted Caribbean cocktails
Food: Snacks
Tip: Reservations for parties of 4+; under 4 walk in. The cargo-themed flights rotate quarterly.
Bâton Rouge in Paris's 9e is the New Orleans-themed cocktail bar Joseph Akhavan opened in 2014. The Sazerac and Vieux Carré are the room's defining cocktails.
Signature drink: Sazerac, Vieux Carré
Food: Snacks
Tip: Half-price daiquiri hour from 19:00 to 20:30. The back room holds the quieter banquette seats.
Bisou in Paris's 3e is the no-menu cocktail bar Nicolas Munoz built around five-minute conversations with each guest. The bartender then mixes one drink each.
Signature drink: No menu, bartender's pick
Food: Snacks
Tip: Reservations only; first round €14, refills €12. Ask for a non-alcoholic option and they will build one.
