There are cocktail bars, and then there is Bar Hemingway. This is not merely a place to drink; it is a pilgrimage site for cocktail aficionados, a tiny, hallowed ground where the spirit of adventure and the art of conversation reign supreme. With just 25 seats, its club-like atmosphere, adorned with leather upholstery, sepia lighting, and memorabilia of the famed writer, feels like a well-kept secret, even though it is one of the most famous bars in the world.
A Legend in Every Glass
The cocktails here are the stuff of legend, crafted with the precision and passion of a virtuoso. The house specialty is, unsurprisingly, the Dry Martini, available in a stunning array of interpretations, from the "Saffron Martini" to the astronomically priced "Elixir Martini" made with pre-phylloxera Cognac. The celebrated Serendipity was invented here, and the Side Car, created by former bartender Frank Meier in 1923, is still served in its original, world's-most-expensive formulation. The bartenders, true masters of ceremony, are also brilliant improvisers, capable of creating a tailor-made cocktail perfectly suited to your mood and desires.
The Spirit of Papa Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway's bond with the Ritz Paris was profound. He famously wrote, "When I dream of afterlife in heaven, the action always takes place in the Paris Ritz." From the 1920s onward, he made this bar his headquarters, forging friendships with the bartenders and spending time with fellow literary giants like the Fitzgeralds. The bar's current location was once that of Le Petit Bar, the first upscale bar in Paris where women could arrive unaccompanied—a revolutionary concept that perfectly suits Hemingway's liberated spirit.
An Unchanged Ambiance of Romance
What makes Bar Hemingway so special is its unwavering authenticity. The décor is unchanged, the objects and handwritten letters tell a story, and the scent of romance is palpable. There is no music, save for the sound of ice cubes clinking and the murmur of conversation. It's a place to nurse a glass, chat with the bartender at the counter, and get to know your neighbors. Here, you must allow time to pass, and the charm will follow naturally.
Open every day from 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM. No reservations are taken, so arrival early in the evening is recommended to secure one of the coveted seats. The experience is priceless, though the exquisite cocktails start from €39, with classics like the New Bloody Mary and the Ritzy Pear falling into this range.
+33 1 43 16 33 74
restauration@ritzparis.com
For a more modern cocktail experience, explore the celestial Ritz Bar, or discover the full range of the hotel's dining and drinking venues.
Photos courtesy of Ritz Paris.
