Candelaria

Candelaria pioneered the Paris speakeasy in 2011 — and twelve years later, the formula still works: walk into a bright, white-tiled taqueria on rue Saintonge, eat tacos and tostadas at the counter, then step through an unmarked door at the back into a low-lit room that serves agave-forward cocktails and runs DJs on weekends. Recognised eight times on World's 50 Best Bars between 2012 and 2018, returned to the Top 500 list in 2025. The mezcal selection is one of the deepest in Europe; the Guêpe Verte (tequila, cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro) is the city's most-copied cocktail. First-come, first-served — the back room takes no reservations.