Experimental Cocktail Club: a speakeasy and iconic cocktail bar in Paris since 2007 - reviews & photos

Behind a door that doesn’t reveal itself at first glance, the Experimental Cocktail Club slipped into the Sentier in 2007 as a new‑generation speakeasy. A Parisian address that keeps a low profile on the façade, but quickly made its presence felt at the bar.

In charge of the bar: three childhood friends, Olivier Bon, Pierre-Charles Cros and Romée de Goriainoff. At 25, they decide to fuse their ambitions into a shared project. After a detour through Canada and the United States, they discover a livelier, more creative cocktail culture—far from what they observed in Paris at the time, where cocktails were mainly the preserve of hotel bars.

Back in the capital, they’re opening their first bar, a nod to the speakeasy era: a discreet entrance, a thoughtfully crafted atmosphere, and a genuine showcase of cocktails. The menu ranges from revamped classics to signature creations like the Configroni, the Porn Star Martini, and the Espresso Coco.

• To be read
• Top picks for the week of June 8–14, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France

In this world, every glass is crafted with precision: balance of flavors, thoughtful pairings, mastery of technique, and the culture of the cocktail bar in its most demanding form.

Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Paris's cocktail culture, the Experimental Cocktail Club helped redefine what a cocktail bar could be in the capital. By 2026, the Experimental group will run around 15 venues worldwide, including several Parisian spots like the Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels and Prescription Cocktail Club, but this first Sentier speakeasy remains the founding cornerstone of the story.

Our take:

After a quick scavenger hunt through the Marais streets to locate its discreet entrance, you step into a plush, stylish bubble, almost time-forgotten. Exposed beams, brick walls, dark velvets, candles, and a vintage wooden bar set the scene for a slightly retro-film ambiance, with a piano that mostly serves as a stage for weekend DJ sets. The best move is to sit at the bar to fully immerse yourself in the experience, especially since hooks are provided to hang bags.

On the drink side, the menu leans into a genuine tasting approach. The bases are reinvented, reimagined, and refined, all in a search for balance where each cocktail is designed as a variation of flavors.

Among the signatures, the Experience 1 and the Old Cuban have been iconic cocktails of the venue since its 2007 opening — markers in a menu that evolves with the seasons without losing its thread. The Rose Paloma, the Ladys’ll Bug, and the Praia da Julia, fruitier and less edgy, are also worth a try for those who prefer milder flavors. Two non-alcoholic options are also offered.

No kitchen here, just a handful of roasted almonds that accompany the drinks. The focus is elsewhere, in the service details — a glass of water served with a cucumber slice to ensure hydration and to accompany the tasting. Wine isn’t part of the equation, replaced by the simple trio: cocktails, champagne, beer.

The experience is as human as it is liquid. The mixologists are happy to adjust creations to taste and desire, in a fully customized approach. The cocktail names, often nods to bartenders who have passed through the house, also tell a memory of the counter.

The venue attracts both regulars and weary travelers alike — a mixed crowd with a strong international presence, notably American. In the evening, the music follows the same philosophy as the cocktail menu: a niche playlist, crafted as a sonic tasting, with a measured volume that still leaves room for conversation. On Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 11 p.m., DJ sets take over.

Here, we don’t pile on the effects; we refine the flavors.

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, please drink responsibly.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.