8 Best Bars in St-Germain-des-Pres, Paris

Inside the magnificent, historic Hôtel Lutetia, Bar Josephine has been restored beyond its former glory. The vast Art Nouveau frescoed ceiling, wrought-iron balcony, and colorful, carefully selected spirits—all lit by abundant natural light coming through the vast window facing Boulevard Raspail—make this beautiful space the place to see and be seen. There is live piano music from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm most evenings.

Bookcases on the wall and the glossy central piano recall this jazz bar's earlier incarnation as the Café Tabou, when Paris's postwar artists and intellectuals argued and partied the night away to the strains of New York jazz. Nowadays, the plush seating and low lights still draw a crowd of die-hard jazz lovers. Note that there's no live music on Sunday.

Sir Terence Conran's makeover of a 17th-century Parisian jeu de paume court features a stylish mezzanine-level bar under a greenhouse-glass roof. DJs and "sound designers" spin mixes until 2 am on Tuesday through Saturday.

Waiters wearing red overalls and revolutionary gavroche hats serve drinks every day of the week at this local institution (they demonstrate particular zeal around happy hour). With bottles of wine at about €25, it draws a quintessential Rive Gauche mix of expats, fashion-house interns, and even some professional rugby players. Sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the prime corner location.

Chez Georges has been serving red wine, pastis, and beer for the past 70 years in pretty much the same caveau that still packs in devotees today. Older students and locals fill sofas and crowd around tiny, candle-topped tables in the cellar bar before grinding to pulsing world music every night until 2 am.

After jump-starting the Paris cocktail bar scene, the partners behind the Experimental Cocktail Club applied the same winning formula to this hybrid wine bar–nightclub. Plush surroundings, an extensive wine list, and a tasty tapas menu draw a crowd of hip young Parisians who can hone their wine-tasting skills on classics in every price range.

This club is brought to you by the owners of Experimental Cocktail Club in London, New York, and Venice, so rest assured: the atmosphere will be stylish (think upholstered chairs, dim lighting, and vintage touches), the crowd will be hip, and the drinks will be tasty. Located in fashionable St-Germain-des-Prés, it's a good after-shopping apéritif or late-night option.

The hushed Baroque bar at L'Hôtel is ideal for a discreet rendezvous. Designed in typically opulent Jacques Garcia style, the hideaway evokes the decadent spirit of onetime resident Oscar Wilde.