This hidden Paris bar invites you to play chess until 2 a.m.

Blitz Society opens a hidden chess bar above the Pizi restaurant in Paris’s 1st arrondissement, accessible every evening from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Between games, cocktails and a hushed ambiance, this discreet new venue reimagines the speakeasy bar vibe at the heart of the capital.

A curtain, a staircase, and the night ends, we hope, in checkmate! In the 1st arrondissement of Paris, Blitz Society unveils a new hidden chess bar on the upper floor of the Italian restaurant Pizi, open every evening from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Thought of as a discreet spot to play, have a drink and chat, this place blends the spirit of a chess club with the vibe of a Parisian late-night bar, welcoming both seasoned players and curious newcomers alike.

Inside, around fifty guests can settle around a grand central bar, bespoke chess tables and more casual nooks. The décor, conceived by Katz Architecture Studio, blends brushed stainless steel, vintage lighting and leopard-patterned carpet, all set in a hushed, intimate vibe. As the night unfolds, blitz games flash by, players rotate, and conversations flow naturally, livened by a music lineup from DJ Gregory, mixing tracks from the 80s, 90s and 2000s.

This new address extends the story of Blitz Society, already based in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The project grew out of a simple wish: to give chess a physical, convivial, and accessible home, far from online-only play. Founded by cousins who were introduced to chess early, the concept rests on a straightforward idea: come alone or with company, play a game, observe, chat. The team also includes Vincent Riff, a FIDE Master, former coach of the Swiss national team and former coach of France’s youth team.

Inspired by the chess matches you can spot in New York's parks, where players and onlookers chat about every move, Blitz Society brings that chess culture into a speakeasy — tucked away from prying eyes. The venue taps into several moods: a hidden bar, a meetup for chess fans, and a night-out. The next day, there may still be a craving to play another move, somewhere else or at the same place... Want to swing by?

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