Guidebook for San Francisco
Drinks & Nightlife
This spot in the 20th arrondissement is what every bar should be: good music, great service, a chill atmosphere. They pour eight beers on tap, mostly local French brews, and if you’re not a full-fledged beer geek, that’s OK: They also have a nice selection of natural wines to choose from.
The cheeses and charcuterie are seriously tasty. Both come with jam made by the owner’s mother.
29 íbúar mæla með
Les Trois 8
11 Rue Victor LetalleThis spot in the 20th arrondissement is what every bar should be: good music, great service, a chill atmosphere. They pour eight beers on tap, mostly local French brews, and if you’re not a full-fledged beer geek, that’s OK: They also have a nice selection of natural wines to choose from.
The cheeses and charcuterie are seriously tasty. Both come with jam made by the owner’s mother.
This is a great place for newbies because there’s so much variety: 20 rotating taps, with a mix of local beers and forward-looking European brews. I really like how they balance rare selections with more accessible ones. And the staff goes out of its way to steer you in the right direction, especially if you don’t know much about craft beer.
After a few beers at the bar, cross the street to their sister restaurant and check out the beer pairing menu.
72 íbúar mæla með
La Fine Mousse
6 Av. Jean AicardThis is a great place for newbies because there’s so much variety: 20 rotating taps, with a mix of local beers and forward-looking European brews. I really like how they balance rare selections with more accessible ones. And the staff goes out of its way to steer you in the right direction, especially if you don’t know much about craft beer.
After a few beers at the bar, cross the street to their sister restaurant and check out the beer pairing menu.
A pioneer in the French craft beer scene, this place has been around for more than 10 years. It’s a go-to for amateurs and fanatics alike. Owner Simon Thillou is known for his expert advice, and stocks a wide selection of artisanal brews from all over France and Europe. They regularly offer beer tastings, which is a great way to discover new styles.
Simon may have some bottles available of Get Radical, his own barrel-aged experimental beers. Ask nicely!
Cave a Bulles
45 Rue QuincampoixA pioneer in the French craft beer scene, this place has been around for more than 10 years. It’s a go-to for amateurs and fanatics alike. Owner Simon Thillou is known for his expert advice, and stocks a wide selection of artisanal brews from all over France and Europe. They regularly offer beer tastings, which is a great way to discover new styles.
Simon may have some bottles available of Get Radical, his own barrel-aged experimental beers. Ask nicely!
The first brewery of the new wave to open within the city limits, in 2012, Brasserie La Goutte d’Or helped launch the craft beer revival in Paris. The choice to make spiced beers is an original approach, one I find very interesting. And the brewery is open to the public, so you can taste the beers right where they’re made.
Thierry, the owner-brewer. He’ll recommend one of his experimental spice beers.
58 íbúar mæla með
Brasserie de la Goutte d'Or
28 Rue de la Goutte d'OrThe first brewery of the new wave to open within the city limits, in 2012, Brasserie La Goutte d’Or helped launch the craft beer revival in Paris. The choice to make spiced beers is an original approach, one I find very interesting. And the brewery is open to the public, so you can taste the beers right where they’re made.
Thierry, the owner-brewer. He’ll recommend one of his experimental spice beers.
A newer beer bar located in the 2nd arrondissement. The design is very minimal but cozy. They have a gorgeous-looking tap system with 15 handles that pour mostly French ales. What else can one ask for? They have a pretty serious craft focus, so it’s not the best place for people who don’t drink beer.
Owner Rémy Doridam is particularly fond of Belgian ales. Ask for his advice, and trust it.
17 íbúar mæla með
Hoppy Corner
34 Rue des Petits CarreauxA newer beer bar located in the 2nd arrondissement. The design is very minimal but cozy. They have a gorgeous-looking tap system with 15 handles that pour mostly French ales. What else can one ask for? They have a pretty serious craft focus, so it’s not the best place for people who don’t drink beer.
Owner Rémy Doridam is particularly fond of Belgian ales. Ask for his advice, and trust it.
El Tast is the only place in the city that carries selections from every brewery in the Paris area. That and they have a knockout selection of Spanish ham to go with them. The space is fairly large and airy, but with a lovely laid-back atmosphere. Also, they serve an excellent paella on the first Saturday of the month.
The Almussafes spicy sausage sandwich is always a favorite. I try to make beer deliveries there around lunchtime so I can get one for the road.
43 íbúar mæla með
El Tast
70 Rue DuhesmeEl Tast is the only place in the city that carries selections from every brewery in the Paris area. That and they have a knockout selection of Spanish ham to go with them. The space is fairly large and airy, but with a lovely laid-back atmosphere. Also, they serve an excellent paella on the first Saturday of the month.
The Almussafes spicy sausage sandwich is always a favorite. I try to make beer deliveries there around lunchtime so I can get one for the road.
This is the first brew-your-own workshop space in the center of Paris. Owner Mike Gilmore is a veteran of the craft scene, with almost 30 years in the industry. He has plenty of stories to tell and advice to share. It’s a fun way to immerse yourself in the local beer scene and make something special all on your own.
Be sure and book one or two months in advance. Space is limited, and spots fill up fast.
Brew Unique
1 Rue des JeuneursThis is the first brew-your-own workshop space in the center of Paris. Owner Mike Gilmore is a veteran of the craft scene, with almost 30 years in the industry. He has plenty of stories to tell and advice to share. It’s a fun way to immerse yourself in the local beer scene and make something special all on your own.
Be sure and book one or two months in advance. Space is limited, and spots fill up fast.
It looks like a low-key dive bar from the outside. You wouldn’t expect craft beer to be served in a place like this, but they have a tight list of 15 brews on tap, everything from Chimay Triple to imperial stouts from Oregon. And if you want more choices, they carry a solid selection of European ales by the bottle.
This is such a great place to people-watch. There’s a mix of travelers waiting for a train at nearby Gare de Lyon and neighborhood people watching sports on TV.
6 íbúar mæla með
Express de Lyon
1 Rue de LyonIt looks like a low-key dive bar from the outside. You wouldn’t expect craft beer to be served in a place like this, but they have a tight list of 15 brews on tap, everything from Chimay Triple to imperial stouts from Oregon. And if you want more choices, they carry a solid selection of European ales by the bottle.
This is such a great place to people-watch. There’s a mix of travelers waiting for a train at nearby Gare de Lyon and neighborhood people watching sports on TV.
One of the few craft breweries within city limits, Paname stands out for its incredible veranda, floating pontoon, and unbeatable views overlooking the Bassin de la Villette. It’s super-rare in Paris to have access to such a variety of beers and to be able see the brewing operation where they’re made. You can do that here.
This is the beer bar to hit in the warm and sunny months. People hang out with a beer and some snacks on the large veranda or the floating pontoon and enjoy the views of the lake.
241 íbúar mæla með
Paname Brewing Company
41 bis Quai de la LoireOne of the few craft breweries within city limits, Paname stands out for its incredible veranda, floating pontoon, and unbeatable views overlooking the Bassin de la Villette. It’s super-rare in Paris to have access to such a variety of beers and to be able see the brewing operation where they’re made. You can do that here.
This is the beer bar to hit in the warm and sunny months. People hang out with a beer and some snacks on the large veranda or the floating pontoon and enjoy the views of the lake.