Paris isn’t just about croissants and cathedrals. Walk down a quiet street in Montmartre or Saint-Germain after dark, and you’ll find a hidden gem that smells like roasted peanuts, Guinness, and damp wool coats. These aren’t tourist traps with fake leprechauns and plastic shamrocks. These are real Irish and British pubs-places where locals and expats gather, where the beer is poured right, and where the conversation flows faster than the whiskey.
Why Irish and British Pubs Thrive in Paris
Paris has over 200 pubs that claim to be "Irish" or "British," but only about 30 of them feel authentic. Why? Because the real ones aren’t trying to sell a theme. They’re run by people who grew up in Dublin, Manchester, or Edinburgh. They know how to pour a pint without a foam crown, why a pub should have sticky floors, and that a proper Sunday roast needs gravy that clings to the spoon.
The first wave of these pubs opened in the 1980s, when British and Irish expats missed the warmth of home. They didn’t want a nightclub. They wanted a place where you could sit for hours with a book, a pint, and no pressure to leave. Today, those same spots still thrive-not because they’re trendy, but because they’re honest.
The Must-Visit Irish Pubs
The Dubliner on Rue de la Paix isn’t the biggest, but it’s the most respected. Opened in 1992 by a former bartender from Galway, it still uses the same Guinness tap system imported from Ireland. The beer here is served at exactly 42°F, not the 50°F you’ll find in fake Irish pubs. The walls are lined with vintage Irish newspapers and photos of local rugby matches. You won’t find a karaoke night here. You’ll find people debating the merits of Celtic vs. Munster rugby over pints of Murphy’s.
McGinty’s in the 10th arrondissement is the place for live music. Every Thursday, a local fiddler plays traditional jigs while the owner, a former Dublin police officer, serves homemade soda bread. The menu is simple: corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, and fish and chips that actually taste like they came from a seaside town in Cornwall. The crowd? Mostly expats, but also Parisians who’ve learned that real Irish food doesn’t come in a microwave.
The Celtic Cross in Le Marais is smaller, quieter, and harder to find. Tucked behind a bookstore, it’s run by a couple from County Kerry. The bar is made from reclaimed oak from an old Irish church. They don’t have a menu-just a chalkboard with three daily specials. Ask for the Guinness pie. It’s not on the board, but everyone knows it’s there.
Top British Pubs in Paris
The English Pub on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine has been around since 1995. It’s the only place in Paris where you can get a proper full English breakfast at 11 a.m. on a Tuesday. The owner, a former London pub landlord, imports his sausages from a butcher in Yorkshire. The beer selection is curated by a British brewmaster who visits twice a year to restock cask ales. You’ll find real ales like Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and Greene King IPA-not the mass-produced lagers you get in most "British" bars.
The Red Lion in the 7th arrondissement is the closest thing to a London pub in Paris. It’s got the mismatched chairs, the dartboard, the wooden booths with scratched names carved into them. The staff wear flat caps and call everyone "love." They serve proper pub grub: steak and kidney pie, bangers and mash, and a ploughman’s lunch that actually includes pickled onions and cheddar, not some processed cheese slice.
The Black Sheep in the 11th is the outlier. It’s a British-style pub run by a former London bartender who moved to Paris in 2010. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and it’s the only place in Paris where you’ll hear a full English football match on a Saturday afternoon. The beer list includes over 20 rotating craft ales from the UK, including lesser-known brews like Wye Valley’s Butty Bach and Dark Star’s Hoppy Devil.
What Makes a Real Pub?
Not every place with a Union Jack and a keg is a real pub. Here’s how to tell the difference:
- Beer temperature: Real Irish and British pubs serve beer at cellar temperature-between 40°F and 48°F. Too cold, and you’re tasting ice, not flavor.
- Tap system: Guinness and cask ales need a hand-pull or nitrogen tap. If you see a standard soda gun, it’s not real.
- Food: Real pubs serve food made from scratch. No frozen nuggets. No pre-made sauces. If the pie looks like it came from a supermarket, walk out.
- Atmosphere: A real pub doesn’t have themed nights. No "Irish Disco" or "British Bingo." It has regulars who know the bartender’s name and come every week.
- Staff: If the bartender can’t tell you the difference between a stout and a porter, or doesn’t know where the pub’s beer is brewed, it’s a front.
How to Do a Real Pub Crawl
Don’t just hop from bar to bar. A proper pub crawl is about rhythm, not quantity. Start early, move slowly, and drink responsibly.
- Start at The Dubliner around 5 p.m. Order a pint of Guinness. Let it settle. Watch the pour. This is your baseline.
- Walk to McGinty’s (15 minutes). Try the Irish stew. Ask for the soda bread. Sit by the window. Talk to someone.
- Head to The English Pub by 7 p.m. Order a cask ale. Try the steak and kidney pie. Ask the bartender about the beer origins.
- End at The Red Lion by 9 p.m. Have a whisky. Play darts if you’re brave. Listen to the banter.
Don’t rush. Spend at least 45 minutes in each place. The goal isn’t to get drunk-it’s to feel the difference between a pub and a bar.
What to Avoid
There are dozens of places in Paris that call themselves Irish or British pubs but are just themed restaurants. Avoid these red flags:
- Menus with "Irish Nachos" or "British Tacos"
- Staff wearing plastic leprechaun hats or bowler hats
- Beer served in plastic cups
- Music playing Irish folk songs on loop, even at 2 a.m.
- No beer list-just "Guinness, Heineken, Corona"
These places exist because tourists expect them. But if you’re looking for the real thing, skip them. The authentic spots don’t need neon signs.
When to Go
Weekdays are better than weekends. Tuesday and Wednesday nights are quiet, but the regulars are there. Friday and Saturday are packed with tourists. If you want to hear real conversation, go midweek. The same goes for food: Sunday lunch is the best time for a full English breakfast or a roast. Many pubs serve it only on Sundays, and it’s worth the wait.
Final Tip: Talk to the Bartender
The best secret in any real pub isn’t on the menu. It’s in the bartender’s head. Ask them: "What’s the one thing I shouldn’t miss?" They’ll tell you. Maybe it’s a hidden whisky they keep behind the bar. Maybe it’s a song they play only when the rain hits the window. That’s the magic of these places. They’re not about the beer. They’re about the people who serve it.
Are there any Irish pubs in Paris that serve authentic Guinness?
Yes, but only a few. The Dubliner on Rue de la Paix uses the same nitrogen tap system as in Dublin, and the beer is poured at the correct temperature. Most other places use standard taps and serve it too cold, which ruins the flavor. Always ask if the Guinness is poured from a cask or a keg-only cask-poured Guinness is authentic.
Can I get a full English breakfast in Paris?
Yes, but only at a handful of real British pubs. The English Pub on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine serves a traditional full English breakfast every day, with baked beans from the UK, black pudding, and properly fried eggs. Most restaurants that offer "English breakfast" use frozen ingredients. Ask for the sausage brand-if they say "imported from Yorkshire," it’s likely real.
Do Irish pubs in Paris have live music?
A few do, but not the kind you see in tourist spots. McGinty’s has live traditional Irish music every Thursday night, played by local musicians who actually grew up in Ireland. The music isn’t loud or polished-it’s raw, a bit off-key, and deeply authentic. Avoid places that play recorded tracks or have karaoke nights labeled as "Irish."
What’s the best time to visit these pubs?
Weekday evenings, especially Tuesday to Thursday, are ideal. The crowds are smaller, the regulars are out, and the atmosphere is more relaxed. Weekends are packed with tourists, and the experience becomes more about noise than connection. For food, Sunday lunch is the best time-many pubs only serve roast dinners on Sundays.
Is it expensive to drink at these pubs?
A pint of Guinness costs between €7 and €9, which is higher than in London or Dublin, but fair for Paris. A full English breakfast runs €18-€22. It’s not cheap, but you’re paying for imported ingredients, authentic preparation, and staff who actually know what they’re serving. Compared to a cocktail bar in Le Marais, it’s a better value.
