Paris after dark isn’t just about wine and cheese-it’s a visual feast designed for the camera. If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram and wondered where people are drinking cocktails under twinkling fairy lights or sipping champagne on rooftops with the Eiffel Tower glowing in the background, you’re not imagining it. These spots exist. And they’re not just popular-they’re engineered for that perfect shot. Forget the guidebooks. Here are the real, working, highly Instagrammable nightlife spots in Paris that locals and visitors alike can’t stop posting.
Le Perchoir Rue des Martyrs
Perched on the 6th floor of a building in the 18th arrondissement, Le Perchoir is the kind of place that makes strangers turn to each other and say, ‘Is this real?’ It’s a rooftop bar with mismatched vintage furniture, hanging plants, and string lights that glow like fireflies. The view? A patchwork of Parisian rooftops leading straight to the Sacré-Cœur. At night, the golden dome of the basilica catches the last of the sunset, and as the city lights blink on, the whole scene turns into a living postcard. They serve craft cocktails with names like ‘La Lune’ and ‘Le Chat Noir,’ and the glassware? Thin, clear, and designed to catch the light. A single photo here gets 3x more likes than average Paris nightlife posts.
Le Bar à Vin
Tucked beneath a cobblestone alley in the Marais, Le Bar à Vin doesn’t look like much from the outside-just a narrow door with a single lantern. But step inside, and you’re in a 1920s-style wine cellar lit by brass wall sconces and candlelight. The walls are lined with bottles, the tables are reclaimed oak, and the bartenders pour natural wines from small French vineyards. The magic? The way the amber glow hits the wine in your glass. It looks like liquid honey. People come here not just to drink, but to photograph the atmosphere. The most shared photo? A close-up of a wine glass with a single grape resting on the rim, backlit by candlelight. No filters needed.
Le Ciel de Paris
If you want the Eiffel Tower in your frame, this is the only place in Paris where you can get it without crowds. Le Ciel de Paris is a rotating restaurant on the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower. But here’s the trick: you don’t need to eat dinner to get in. At 9 PM, they open the bar area to non-diners. Order a sparkling wine, stand by the floor-to-ceiling windows, and wait. The tower lights up at exactly 10 PM every night for five minutes. Every 15 minutes after that, it sparkles again. The entire city goes dark for a few seconds, then the tower explodes in 20,000 golden bulbs. It’s a 30-second spectacle that turns your phone into a mini concert hall. The best angle? Shoot from the left side of the bar. The tower fills the frame, and the city lights ripple behind it like a halo.
Le Chateaubriand
This isn’t a bar. It’s a dinner party that turns into a late-night hangout. Located in the 11th arrondissement, Le Chateaubriand has no sign. Just a single red door and a small chalkboard that says ‘Open’ in French. Inside, the space is raw: exposed brick, mismatched chairs, and a long wooden counter where chefs serve small plates that change daily. The vibe? Like you crashed a friend’s birthday. The lighting? Low, warm, and slightly messy-perfect for candid shots. People come here for the food, but they stay for the energy. At midnight, the music shifts from jazz to indie French pop, and the room fills with laughter and clinking glasses. The most photographed moment? A group of friends raising their wine glasses as the last candle flickers out.
Le Perchoir Montmartre
Not to be confused with the one on Rue des Martyrs, this Le Perchoir is on the rooftop of a former textile factory in Montmartre. The difference? This one has a tree growing through the middle of the terrace. A real, 12-foot-tall birch tree, surrounded by lanterns and low couches. The view stretches over the entire neighborhood-white stucco buildings, red-tiled roofs, and the distant silhouette of Sacré-Cœur. At night, the tree lights up from within, casting long shadows across the tables. It’s the only place in Paris where you can sip a gin and tonic under a tree and still see the city skyline. The bartenders here don’t use ice cubes-they use frozen grape juice spheres that melt slowly, releasing a hint of berry flavor. The photos? They look like fantasy illustrations.
La Belle Équipe
On a quiet street in the 10th arrondissement, La Belle Équipe is a neighborhood favorite that somehow became a viral sensation. The space is simple: a long bar, a few tables, and a giant mural of a 1970s Parisian woman smoking a cigarette. The walls are painted a deep olive green, and the lighting is warm and dim. What makes it Instagrammable? The drinks. They serve a cocktail called ‘La Veuve’-a mix of absinthe, elderflower, and sparkling wine-poured into a crystal flute and garnished with a single edible gold leaf. The leaf catches the light and shimmers as you lift the glass. It’s a drink that looks like it belongs in a museum. And because the bar is small and intimate, every table feels like its own private moment.
Le Comptoir du Relais
It’s a wine bar. It’s a bistro. It’s a tiny space with only seven stools. But Le Comptoir du Relais, in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, is where Parisian elegance meets raw authenticity. The bar is made of aged walnut, the wine list is handwritten on a chalkboard, and the bartender knows every regular’s name. The secret to its visual appeal? The contrast. A single candle on the counter. A glass of deep red Burgundy. A reflection of the streetlamp outside on the polished wood. It’s quiet. It’s slow. And it’s the kind of place where a photo doesn’t need to be staged-it just happens. The most shared image? A wine glass with a single cherry pit resting at the bottom, still wet from the last sip.
Why These Spots Work
These places aren’t just pretty. They’re designed for the eye. The lighting is intentional. The colors are muted but rich. The textures-wood, glass, metal, fabric-are layered. And they all have one thing in common: they don’t scream ‘photogenic.’ They whisper it. You don’t need a DSLR. You don’t need editing apps. Just show up at the right time, sit in the right corner, and let the moment happen. Paris at night doesn’t need filters. It just needs you to look up.
What’s the best time to visit these spots for Instagram photos?
Most of these spots are best between 9 PM and midnight. The lighting is warm, the crowds are still manageable, and the city lights are fully on. For rooftop bars like Le Perchoir, aim for 9:30 PM to catch the sunset glow before the city lights up. For Le Ciel de Paris, the Eiffel Tower sparkles at 10 PM sharp-arrive by 9:45 to get a good spot. Avoid 1 AM and later; the lights dim, and the vibe shifts from photogenic to party-heavy.
Do I need to book ahead?
Yes, for most of these. Le Perchoir (both locations) and Le Ciel de Paris require reservations, especially on weekends. Le Chateaubriand takes walk-ins but has a wait. Le Bar à Vin and La Belle Équipe are first-come, first-served, but they fill up fast after 8 PM. If you’re planning to visit multiple spots in one night, start with the ones that require bookings and work your way down.
Are these spots expensive?
Cocktails range from €12 to €18. Wine by the glass starts at €8. Le Ciel de Paris charges €25 for a glass of sparkling wine at the bar, but it’s worth it for the view. Le Chateaubriand doesn’t have a menu-prices are based on what’s served, and you’ll pay around €40-€60 for a full experience. But you don’t need to spend a lot to get the photo. A single cocktail at Le Bar à Vin or La Belle Équipe is enough to capture the mood.
Can I take photos inside these places?
Absolutely. These spots encourage photography-it’s part of their identity. But be respectful. Don’t use flash. Don’t block the bar or other guests. And if a staff member asks you to stop, just nod and move on. Most bartenders will even point out the best angles. At Le Perchoir Montmartre, the staff will sometimes turn on extra lights if you’re shooting during twilight.
What should I wear?
Parisians dress well, but not formally. Think ‘effortlessly chic.’ A tailored jacket, a scarf, or a pair of dark jeans with a simple top works for most spots. Avoid sneakers, hoodies, or sportswear. You don’t need to look like you’re at a gala, but you should look like you belong. The lighting is forgiving, but the vibe isn’t casual. A little polish goes a long way.
