Why Paris Has the Best Irish and British Pubs Outside the UK and Ireland
Paris isn’t known for Guinness and pub quizzes. But if you’ve wandered into a dimly lit corner of the 6th or 11th arrondissement and heard a thick Irish brogue laughing over a pint, you’re not imagining it. Paris has more than 100 authentic Irish and British pubs-some run by expats who moved here 30 years ago, others by locals who fell in love with the culture. These aren’t themed tourist traps. They’re real places where locals drink, where football matches draw crowds, and where the beer is poured right.
Most visitors think of Paris as wine and bistros. But if you want a proper pint of stout, a plate of fish and chips, or a live folk session, the city delivers. The secret? These pubs survived because they got the details right: proper cask ales, real pub food, and a no-frills atmosphere that feels like home-even if you’re 500 miles from Dublin or Manchester.
What Makes a Real Irish Pub in Paris?
Not every place with a shamrock on the window counts. A true Irish pub in Paris has three things: a proper pour, a warm crowd, and a sense of history.
The Brasserie Dublin is a 1993-founded institution on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine that still uses the same Guinness tap system imported from Ireland. The beer flows at 4°C, not 6°C like in fake pubs. The owner, Declan O’Malley, moved from Cork in ’89 and still insists on hand-pulled pints. You won’t find a single TV showing sports here-unless it’s a match day, then the whole place turns into a roaring stand.
At The Irish House in the Marais, the walls are covered in old Irish newspapers, signed photos of musicians, and handwritten lyrics from traditional songs. The owner, a former Dublin busker, hosts weekly sessions where fiddles and bodhráns take over. No cover charge. No reservations. Just show up at 8 p.m. on Thursday and you’ll be singing along before the first set ends.
Real Irish pubs don’t serve lager on tap unless it’s Harp or Smithwick’s. They don’t have cocktail menus with names like "Celtic Sunrise." They serve whiskey neat, stout with a perfect head, and soda bread with butter. If the menu has "Irish nachos," walk out.
Where to Find the Best British Pubs in Paris
British pubs in Paris are quieter, but no less authentic. They’re the kind of places where you can sit with a newspaper, sip a bitter, and feel like you’re in a London pub from the 1980s.
The English House in the 7th arrondissement has been around since 1998. The landlord, a former London pub manager, imported oak barrels for the bar, sourced real ales from microbreweries in Kent, and even brought over the same pub snacks: salted peanuts in paper cones, pickled eggs, and pork pies wrapped in wax paper. The beer list changes monthly, and you’ll find cask ales like Fuller’s London Pride and Marston’s Pedigree-things you won’t find in a French supermarket.
At The Red Lion in the 11th, the walls are lined with Premier League memorabilia. On match days, the place fills with British expats, French football fans, and curious locals. They serve proper fish and chips-cod battered in beer batter, thick-cut chips, and mushy peas. No ketchup allowed. Just vinegar and salt.
What sets British pubs apart is their quiet loyalty. You won’t find loud DJs or neon signs. You’ll find a regular who’s been coming every Tuesday since 2005, a landlord who remembers your name, and a pint of bitter that costs €6.50-because it’s worth it.
Top 5 Pubs for a Real Pub Crawl in Paris
Here’s how to do it right. Start early. Walk between them. Don’t rush. Drink slowly. And always order the house special.
- Brasserie Dublin - 117 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 11th. Best for Guinness and live trad music. Arrive before 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
- The Irish House - 43 Rue des Rosiers, 4th. Best for atmosphere and folk sessions. Try the whiskey sour made with Jameson.
- The English House - 10 Rue de la Tour-des-Dames, 7th. Best for real ales and pub snacks. Order the pork pie and a pint of Marston’s.
- The Red Lion - 117 Rue de la Roquette, 11th. Best for football and fish and chips. Watch the match on the big screen with a pint of Boddingtons.
- The Black Sheep - 41 Rue des Martyrs, 18th. Best for craft beer lovers. This one’s British-owned but focuses on UK craft ales-try the Camden Hells or the BrewDog Punk IPA.
Walk between them. Don’t take a taxi. The 11th to the 7th is a 20-minute stroll. You’ll see the city change-street musicians, old bookshops, hidden courtyards. That’s part of the experience.
What to Order: Food, Drink, and Rules
Don’t order a mojito. Don’t ask for a "light beer." These places aren’t bars. They’re pubs. And they have rules.
Drinks: Stick to stout, bitter, or ale. Guinness is the default, but try Murphy’s or Beamish if you want something different. For British pubs, ask for a pint of bitter-don’t say "lager." If you want whiskey, go for Jameson, Bushmills, or Glenfiddich. No mixers unless it’s ginger beer.
Food: The classics are simple: sausages and mash, cottage pie, ploughman’s lunch (cheese, pickles, bread, onion), and fish and chips. Avoid anything with "Irish" in the name that doesn’t come from a UK or Irish kitchen. No Irish tacos. No Guinness pizza.
Rules: Don’t take photos of the bar unless you’re asked. Don’t speak loudly about politics. Don’t ask for a "table for four" unless you’re with a group. Pubs here aren’t restaurants. You stand at the bar, you chat, you drink. That’s it.
When to Go: Timing Matters
These pubs are quiet during the day. The magic happens after 7 p.m.
On weekdays, 8-10 p.m. is the sweet spot. Locals arrive after work. Expats are off the clock. The music starts. The pints flow. Weekends are louder. Friday and Saturday nights turn into full-blown parties-especially during football season. If you want a real pub experience, go on a Tuesday or Wednesday. You’ll get the best service, the most authentic vibe, and a seat at the bar.
Don’t go on a Sunday unless you’re into quiet afternoons. Most pubs close early. Some don’t open at all. That’s the British way.
How These Pubs Stay Alive in a Wine City
Paris isn’t exactly a beer town. Wine dominates. So how do these pubs survive?
They don’t try to be French. They don’t serve champagne cocktails. They don’t change their menus to fit "Parisian tastes." They stay true. That’s why people come back. Locals who grew up in Yorkshire or Cork bring their friends. Students from the UK come for the taste of home. And curious Parisians? They come for the difference.
One study from the University of Paris in 2023 found that 68% of regular patrons at these pubs were French. Not expats. Locals. They learned to appreciate the ritual-the slow pour, the quiet chatter, the way a pint should taste. These pubs became part of the city’s culture, not just an export.
What to Avoid
Steer clear of places with names like "The Celtic Pub," "The Royal British Pub," or anything with "Leprechaun" in the logo. These are tourist traps. They serve lukewarm Guinness, overpriced burgers, and have DJs playing "Danny Boy" on loop.
Also avoid places that charge €12 for a pint. Real Irish and British pubs in Paris charge €6 to €8. If it’s more, they’re ripping you off.
And never, ever ask for a "happy hour." These places don’t do discounts. They believe in value, not deals.
Final Tip: Bring a Friend Who Gets It
Pub crawling isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about the vibe. Bring someone who knows what a proper pint looks like. Someone who won’t order a margarita. Someone who’ll laugh when the barman says, "That’s not how you drink stout."
Paris has a thousand bars. But only a few feel like home. Find them. Drink slow. Talk to the locals. And if you’re lucky, you’ll hear someone say, "Cheers, mate," and mean it.
Are Irish and British pubs in Paris expensive?
No, not compared to other Parisian bars. A pint of Guinness or real ale costs €6-€8. Food like fish and chips or cottage pie is €12-€16. That’s cheaper than a cocktail in a trendy bar and far more authentic. If you see a pub charging €10+ for a pint, it’s likely a tourist trap.
Do I need to speak French to go to these pubs?
No. Most staff speak fluent English. Many are British or Irish expats. Even if the owner is French, they’ve been running the pub for years and know the lingo. A simple "Pint of Guinness, please" works. But learning a few French phrases like "Merci" or "Ça va?" goes a long way.
Can I watch Premier League matches at these pubs?
Yes, especially at The Red Lion, The English House, and The Black Sheep. They show all major matches with proper English commentary. Arrive early on match days-seats fill up fast. Some pubs even serve match-day specials like pie and pint combos.
Are these pubs family-friendly?
Some are, especially during the day or early evening. The Irish House and The English House welcome families before 8 p.m. But after that, they become adult spaces. If you’re with kids, go earlier. Avoid weekends if you want quiet.
Do these pubs accept credit cards?
Most do now, but many still prefer cash. Smaller pubs, especially the older ones, may have a minimum spend for cards or charge a small fee. Keep €20-€30 in cash for a pub crawl. It’s easier, faster, and more traditional.
What’s the best time of year to do a pub crawl in Paris?
Autumn and winter are ideal. The weather is cool, the lights are warm, and the pubs feel cozier. October to March is peak season-football matches, St. Patrick’s Day, and Christmas events bring the best energy. Summer is quieter, but still good if you want to avoid crowds.