The 12 best wine bars in Paris

What’s the deal? For a thoroughly indulgent night out in an oddball location, try here. Tucked away in the usually staid Bourse area, and marked out only by its trippy Robert Crumb-style logo, Montezuma serves up excellent small plates and first-rate natural wines. And the soundtrack is impeccable. Like In Sheep’s Clothing in LA and Brilliant Corners in London, this ‘hi-fi bar’ prides itself on the quality of its immersive Klipsch sound system.

What should I drink? There are lots of refined obscurities here. We liked the new-to-us Olga des Grottes and Julie Balagny beaujolais.

What’s the deal? The little sister to Bertrand Grébaut’s Michelin-starred Septime, which, with good reason, packs out every night. Sure, the clientele here are almost intimidatingly beautiful, but that doesn’t mean this place is inaccessible. Come down early, order a glass or two from their lush wine list and you’ll soon feel right at home.

What should I drink? The fruity (and incredibly quaffable) Hanami by Domaine Bobinet.

What’s the deal? Two doors down from their much talked-about restaurant Vivant, Pierre Touitou and Arnaud Lacombe’s cosy, minimalist bar draws an equally fashionable crowd for pre- and post-dinner drinks. It’s small – 25 square metres or so – but brilliantly done out in white marble, huge mirrors and terrazzo flooring.

What should I drink? One of their many natural and/or biodynamic wines. There are classics like Philippe Pacalet’s white Puligny Montrachet, but also lesser-known bottles like the natural Simplement, a Loire Valley red by François Saint-Lô.

What’s the deal? A love letter to pork, L’Avant-Comptoir du Marché has pigs on the walls, a flying pig hanging from the ceiling, a ham bone and pots of lard on the counter (which we choose to spread liberally on cornbread). With its menu dedicated to all things porc, Yves Camdeborde’s hit address is ideal if you want to, um, pig out. But they serve some delish vino, too. The list tends toward small-producer natural wines.

What should I drink? The natural Clos Marie pic-saint-loup (€43 a bottle).

What’s the deal? From the Frenchie’s high-end fine-dining to French to Go’s neo-fast food to the Frenchie Caviste wine merchant, the Rue Du Nil pretty much belongs to gastro-entrepreneur Grégory Marchand. But we’re not complaining –  they’re all brilliant, and this new-ish bar à vins may well be the jewel in his decadent crown. Think fab wines and perfectly done tapas at not-extortionate prices.

What should I drink? The Premier Rendez-vous montlouis-sur-loire by Jousset (€7 a glass).

What’s the deal? Who ever said the banlieues were dead? Just 300 metres beyond the Périph’ at Saint-Ouen, this recent opening buzzes with after-work drinkers who lap up its bistro-style food and natural and biodynamic wines. The white walls, blue tiled counter and shelves stacked with beers and plonk make for a very stylish setting. Come summer, the terrace is where to head.

What should I drink? The Cheveau beaujolais-villages is fruity, full-bodied and well priced at €6 a glass.

What’s the deal? Well known for organising tours of Paris’s out-of-bounds catacombs, natural wine aficionados Arthuro and Timothée have now opened up a cave of a very different sort. Small-producer natural, organic and biodynamic bottles are the name of the game here – and you can choose from more than 200.

What should I drink? The well-rounded Tilly cabernet from Bourgeuil.

What’s the deal? Natural wine fans flock to this buzzing spot on the 10th arrondissement’s Place Sainte-Marthe. Romain Tischenko, formerly of Galopin, runs the show behind the gleaming zinc counter – watch as he whips together excellent (and very affordable) small plates to accompany your drinks.

What should I drink? The IX Miglio from Reserve della Casino is dangerously gluggable (€6 a glass).

What’s the deal? Exposed brick, parquet floors, huge bay windows overlooking the street... the latest address from Arlots owners Thomas Brachet and Tristan Renoux feels very on trend. There are no reservations here: just plonk yourself at the central counter or perch at one of the wooden tables. Then, vino time.

What should I drink? The superb Les Aurièges white from Domaine du Clovallon.

What’s the deal? Happily for those who fancy a digestif after their steak, Bistrot Paul Bert’s annex bar boasts a good hundred or so wines, many of which are natural and/or biodynamic. There’s only seating space for 10, so get down early if you want to squeeze in. Or, if you’re happy to stand and lean like the locals do, that’s cool too.

What should I drink? The fresh, fruity, mineral Magic of Ju-Ju chenin blanc.

What’s the deal? The 5th arrondissement isn’t the most obvious area to open up a new wine bar, but now at least Cyrille Rossetto has both Left and Right Banks covered. More discreet than his Rue de Paradis address, Le Bel Ordinaire Rive Gauche is filled with shelves of top-quality fresh nosh and a decent selection of natural wines from small producers.

What should I drink? The P’tit Blanc du Tue-Boeuf (€6.50 a glass).

What’s the deal? With its midnight blue façade, smiling service, elegant windows, hams and sausages suspended from the ceiling and well-ordered shelves of bottles, wine bar and deli La Cave de Belleville is a seriously classy outfit. Drop by on your way up to take in the Parc de Belleville views.

What should I drink? Share a rare bottle of Les Lanes corbières from La Baronne.