Did Paris Have Speakeasies?

By Anna Duncan

Paris, the city of love, lights, and fashion, has been a hub of culture and entertainment since time immemorial. The city has always been famous for its nightlife and drinking culture. But did Paris have speakeasies during the prohibition era?

During the early 20th century, many countries around the world banned alcohol consumption. The United States was one of them.

In 1920, the US government passed the Volstead Act that prohibited the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. This led to the rise of speakeasies in America – secret bars that served alcohol illegally.

While Paris did not have a prohibition law like in America, it did have restrictions on alcohol sales during World War I. The French government imposed strict regulations on bars and restaurants to conserve grain for food production. In 1915, wine sales were banned after 9 pm to reduce drunkenness among soldiers.

However, these restrictions didn’t stop Parisians from enjoying their drinks. Bars and restaurants soon found ways to circumvent these rules. Some establishments would serve drinks in teapots or hide bottles under the tables to avoid detection by authorities.

Paris also had a thriving cabaret scene during this time, where people could drink and be entertained by singers and dancers. Famous venues like Moulin Rouge and Folies Bergère attracted locals and tourists alike with their extravagant shows.

In fact, some American expats living in Paris during Prohibition would head to these cabarets as an alternative to speakeasies back home. Ernest Hemingway was one such expat who frequented Parisian bars like Harry’s New York Bar.

So while Paris didn’t have speakeasies per se, it did have its own ways of enjoying alcohol despite restrictions. The city’s rich history of nightlife continues to this day with countless bars, clubs, and cabarets catering to all tastes.

If you’re ever in Paris and want to experience its drinking culture, be sure to visit some of its famous bars like Bar Hemingway, La Coupole, and Café de Flore. And who knows, you might even stumble upon a hidden gem that has been serving drinks for over a century.