The Filmmakers' Bistro: the discreet address tucked behind a Paris cinema

The art of hiding in broad daylight

At the Bistrot des Cinéastes there’s no password to murmur or secret library to spin the shelves. The only code is knowing where to look: push through the cinema door, stroll the lobby, spot the discreet staircase beneath the BAR neon, and head upstairs. That little ritual is all it takes to turn an ordinary evening into a night you’ll tell stories about the next day.

The venue’s history only adds to its charm: before it became a cinema, these walls housed Père Lathuille’s cabaret, immortalized by Manet. A century later, the cabaret spirit has never really left these walls.

A cinema-worthy setting, cocktails that live up to it

Dreamlike mural frescoes, a marble counter, vintage furnishings, and soft lighting: the Bistrot des Cinéastes cultivates a retro-chic aesthetic that sits somewhere between Méliès’ cinema and Paris in the Roaring Twenties. A décor so cinematic it has already doubled as the backdrop for film shoots and ad campaigns.

But it’s at the counter that the real action happens. The house bets on crafted signature cocktails, designed as true creations, to be enjoyed in an atmosphere that builds throughout the evening. DJ sets, blind tests and live karaoke regularly punctuate the afterworks, while regulars claim the back corner sofas, a cozy hideaway for nights that linger on.

A globe-trotting menu to nibble on or share

On the menu, you’ve got small plates to share — chicken-vegetable gyoza, beef tataki with Thai sauce, hummus with zaatar, Thai lemongrass sausages — or you can opt for a generous charcuterie board (boar ham aged 19 months, chorizo, lomito) or truffle Gouda. The hungriest will reach for the house pizzettas to snack on throughout the evening.

The go-to HQ for pre-premiere evenings

Perched above an arthouse cinema, the Bistrot des Cinéastes has, without breaking a sweat, become the go-to gathering spot for premiere crowds. Directors, actors and cinephiles cross paths there after screenings to prolong the night with a drink, in an atmosphere where the film carries on, even after the screen goes dark.

Friday, September 4: Face B, the night that kicks off the new season

For its kick-off event of the season, the Bistrot des Cinéastes unveils Face B—a night built for those who'd rather savor the sound than squeeze onto a crowded dancefloor. From 8 p.m. to midnight, a DJ curates a sharp, polished set that sits between intimate groove and electro textures: come for a signature cocktail, stay for the atmosphere that invites you to linger. It’s the perfect chance to experience the venue at its most intimate, where conversations flow, music unfolds, and you take your time.

Exclusive private hire for an evening that truly stands out

From 20 to 80 guests, the space can be booked exclusively for tailor-made cocktail-dinner packages. An option that attracts both companies seeking an afterwork that breaks the mold and groups of friends planning a memorable birthday, all in a setting that few Parisians have discovered.

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