Clandestino : cocktail bar and speakeasy in the heart of Paris

Do you fancy a gourmet aperitif with tasty cocktails and irresistible tapas? We're taking you to a Parisian bar that might just make your taste buds happy! Welcome to Clandestino.

Nestled in the Haut-Marais, a stone's throw from the rue de Bretagne, this is a cocktail bar that welcomes you for tasty aperitifs. On the first floor, we discover a trendy decoration, with skateboards on the ceiling, boxes behind the bar, and raw materials. And if you venture to the basement, you'll discover a cozy lounge with comfortable sofas under the subdued light of candles and Tiffany lamps: the speakeasy of Clandestino. Small bonus, it is privatizable!

Two rooms, two atmospheres. And to each his own bar. The two barmaids of the Clandestino have their own particular universe that deserves to be known. The one who reigns over the speakeasy made her debut in London and from her experience she has a pronounced taste for gourmet cocktails with fancy dressings.

Upstairs, the genius of the shakers is Juliette. Of Corsican and Turkish origin, she perfected her art in Greece and takes great pleasure in pleasantly surprising us by bringing forgotten or even unknown spirits up to date. Both are able to improvise cocktails according to your desires and tastes. But believe us, it's better to trust them and let themselves be drawn into their respective worlds.

For us, she will imagine a fruity cocktail based on Tequila, Luxardo, Morello cherry syrup and fresh basil, ideal to prolong the spirit of the beautiful days. The second, more smoky and tangy, is composed of Pisco, lemon juice, tobacco liqueur and fresh orange, enough to awaken the taste buds. Here, most of the syrups and juices are homemade and Juliette doesn't hesitate to shake her cocktails with fresh fruits or their peels according to her inspirations to guarantee a maximum of natural flavors.

• To be read
• The best cocktail bars in Paris
• The best exotic bars in Paris
• Tips for the week of April 15 - 21, 2024 in Paris: free or inexpensive outings

Then when we gave her carte blanche, Juliette chose to surprise us with a very herbaceous cocktail made with Gin made in Pastis, orgeat syrup, lemon juice and suze and a second one more round and greedy made with grapefruit juice, fresh mint, pink lillet and tequila. Right in the bull's eye, we loved it.

Delicious cocktails that deserve tapas just as tasty. Fortunately with the Benjamin, chef and co-founder of the bar, we are in good hands. On the menu we are on the home-made with recipes apparently simple but effective.

The perfect egg, well runny, marries with a chorizo cream and a second of artichoke and makes us fall in love. The tuna tataki literally melts in your mouth, as do the carrots and the delicious stuffed piquillos topped with pestos.

Another strong point of the spot is its happy hour which proposes a pint at 6€. For the tapas, you'll have to count about 8-9€ per plate to share and there's plenty to enjoy!

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