Cheap Bars in Paris: Where to Drink Without Selling a Kidney
Paris has this reputation for being an expensive playground for the elite. You know the vibe: a €14 glass of mediocre rosé served with a side of Parisian indifference. I’m over it. I’ve spent years navigating the backstreets from Menilmontant to the Latin Quarter to find the real spots—the ones where a five-euro note actually gets you change back.
Whether you’re a student dodging loans or just someone who thinks €9 for a pint is an act of war, this guide is for you. We’ve pulled current menu data from Seeker Social to bring you the cold, hard numbers on where to find the cheapest pints and cocktails in the city.
1. Bon Ami
Address: 162 Av. du Maine, 75014 Paris
Down in the 14th, Bon Ami is the definition of a neighborhood reliable. It smells faintly of floor cleaner and old wood, and I love it for that. It’s unpretentious. While other places in Montparnasse try too hard, Bon Ami just serves drinks at prices that make sense.
Their menu is tight—19 items—but it hits the essentials. During happy hour, you can snag as 50cl Blonde for just €3. That is essentially a heist in 2024. Even outside of happy hour, the regular price sits at €5. If you’re a cocktail person, they keep it simple: a flat €8 for everything from a Moscow Mule to a Ti Punch.
- Cheapest Draft: €3 (Happy Hour) / €5 (Regular)
- Cocktail Value: €8 for a Pina Colada or Margarita.
2. Au Mathurin
Address: 12 Av. Mathurin Moreau, 75019 Paris
The 19th arrondissement is where the cool kids who can’t afford the 3rd actually live. Au Mathurin is a quintessential student haunt near Colonel Fabien. It’s loud, it’s cramped on a Thursday night, and the prices are borderline legendary.
We’re talking €3.50 for a 50cl Blonde. That’s the regular price. They also have Panaché at €3.50 for those who want to pretend they aren’t actually drinking. Their cocktail list is even more offensive to high-end establishments, charging just €5 for a Mojito, Blue Lagoon, or Sex on the Beach. I’ve seen water cost more in the 1st arrondissement.
3. Cafe Populaire
Address: 102 Rue Saint-Maur, 75011 Paris
Rue Saint-Maur is a gauntlet of bars, but Cafe Populaire stays true to its name. It’s the kind of place where the tables are sticky, and you’ll probably end up talking to a stranger about a strike that’s happening next week.
The Metor draft (50cl) is €3.50. That is the baseline for success here. If you want something bottled, they have Heineken for €3.50 or Chimay for €5. Their cocktail game is equally strong on the wallet, with €6 Mojitos and Caipirinhas. It’s significantly cheaper than its neighbors where a cocktail will easily run you €12.
Price Comparison: Cheap Beer in Paris
| Bar Name | Cheapest Pint (50cl) | Standard Cocktail | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bon Ami | €3.00 (HH) | €8.00 | No-nonsense local |
| Au Mathurin | €3.50 | €5.00 | Loud Student Hub |
| Cafe Populaire | €3.50 | €6.00 | Afterwork / Social |
| Le Five | €3.30 (HH) | €8.00 – €12.00 | Saint-Germain Student |
4. Le Five
Address: 5 Rue Saint-Sulpice, 75006 Paris
Finding a cheap bar in the 6th is like finding a parking spot in Le Marais—nearly impossible. But Le Five pulls it off. It targets the Sorbonne crowd who need to drown their sorrows after a literature lecture.
Their signature La Five (50cl) goes for €3.30 during happy hour (it jumps to €6 after, so watch the clock). They have a massive menu of 43 items. While their Signature Cocktails like the Espresso Martini are a steep €12, stick to the Cocktail du Jour or a Moscow Mule for €8. Based on our latest menu analysis on Seeker Social, the savings here during Happy Hour are roughly €2.70 per pint.
5. Le Re Montant Bar 20eme
Address: 116 Rue de Menilmontant, 75020 Paris
Menilmontant is a steep climb, but the reward is cheap booze. Le Re Montant is a classic Parisian “zinc” bar. You come here for an Export Blonde at €3.50 and stay because you’re too tired to walk back down the hill.
They have 25 items on the menu. The Jager Bombs are €6, which is dangerous territory, and most cocktails like the Aperol Spritz or Tequila Sunrise are also €6. If you’re feeling fancy, the Limoncello Spritz is €7. It’s honest, it’s a bit rough around the edges, and it’s perfect for a Tuesday night when you just can’t be bothered.
6. Bah Loulou
Address: Rue Descartes 40, 75005 Paris
The Latin Quarter is notorious for tourist traps, but Rue Descartes has some holdouts. Bah Loulou is one of them. The Blonde (50cl) is €3.50 during happy hour and €4.50 regular.
What’s impressive is their cocktail price. Almost every cocktail—Caipirinha, Sex on the Beach, London Mule, Shrek (don’t ask)—is €5. Compared to Le Five down the road, you’re saving €3 to €7 per cocktail. It’s a no-brainer for a pre-game spot.
7. La Bodega Paris V
Address: 12 Rue Descartes, 75005 Paris
Literally a few doors down from Bah Loulou, La Bodega offers a slightly different vibe but the same commitment to low prices. A Kronenbourg starts at €3.50 (Happy Hour) and climbs to €5 regular.
They have a unique cocktail list with names like Banana Cherry, Arlequin, and Citrik for €7.50. Is it the most sophisticated mixology in France? No. Will it get the job done for under ten euros? Absolutely. You can search for more Latin Quarter deals on the Seeker Social app if this street is too packed.
8. Rive Gauche 11
Address: 129 Rue Saint-Maur, 75011 Paris
Back in the 11th, Rive Gauche 11 is where you go when Cafe Populaire is full. The Blonde 50cl is €3.90. It’s a neighborhood staple with a solid selection of drafts like Leffe Ruby for €6.50 or Chouffe for €7.50.
Their cocktail menu is massive (26 items). Most classics like the Margarita or Moscow Mule are €8. If you’re being responsible (why?), they have Virgin Mojitos for €6.50. It’s a great “middle of the night” bar where you can settle in without checking your bank balance every twenty minutes.
9. Neuvieme Sauvage
Address: 20 Rue Gerando, 75009 Paris
The 9th is usually overpriced, but Neuvieme Sauvage offers a “Lager Sauvage” for €3.90 during Happy Hour (€5 regular). It’s a bit more “designed” than the other bars on this list, making it a better shout for a casual date that you don’t want to look *too* cheap on.
Cocktails here are a bit pricier at €9 for a Negroni or Old Fashioned. However, their Mocktails are a flat €6, which is good value if you’re the designated survivor of the group.
10. Teddy S Bar
Address: 3 Rue Thouin, 75005 Paris
Last but not least, Teddy’s. This is a sports and board games bar, which usually means people camp out for hours. Teddy’s Beer (50cl) is €3.90 during Happy Hour, rising to €6 later.
They specialize in heavier hitters like Kasteel Rouge or Cuvée des Trolls for €8.50. Cocktails are a flat €10. It’s not the absolute cheapest for cocktails, but for a 50cl pint of craft-adjacent beer at €3.90 in the heart of the 5th, it’s a winner.
The Happy Hour Strategy
Timing in Paris is everything. If you show up at 9 PM, you’re paying the “tourist tax” (regular prices). Here is how to group your night based on Seeker Social data:
- The Early Starters (5-7 PM): Hit Le Five or Bon Ami. You want to lock in those €3 to €3.30 pints while the sun is still up.
- The Mid-Evening Settle (7-10 PM): Move to Au Mathurin or Le Re Montant. Their regular prices (€3.50) are often cheaper than other bars’ happy hours.
- Late Night (10 PM+): Bah Loulou keeps the cocktails at €5, which is the best late-night value you’ll find in the 5th arrondissement.
FAQ
What is the cheapest pint in Paris?
Based on our data, Bon Ami offers a 50cl Blonde for €3 during Happy Hour. Le Five is a close second at €3.30.
Are cocktails cheap in Paris?
Generally, no. But at spots like Au Mathurin and Bah Loulou, you can find a solid list of cocktails for exactly €5, which is about half the city average.
Where can I find student bars in Paris?
The 5th (Latin Quarter) and the 19th near Colonel Fabien are your best bets. Places like Teddy’s Bar and Cafe Populaire are always packed with students.
Sources & References
- Bon Ami Menu and Prices – Seeker Social
- Le Five Happy Hour Analysis – Seeker Social
- Cafe Populaire Drink List – Seeker Social
- Au Mathurin Menu Data – Seeker Social
Stop wandering aimlessly and hoping for a cheap sign. Download Seeker Social on the App Store or Google Play to find real-time happy hour deals and full menus for over 10,000 bars. Drink better, spend less.