Secret corners of Paris: Lavomatic

Let me share a secret with you: not far away from the Canal St-Martin, in the Parisian 10th arrondissement, is situated a very discreet bar. You will find this secret place, hidden behind a laundry. Yes, you've read it well. This bar is really located behind a laundry! So, what you need to do is to get inside this laundry, to push the little white door stuck between the washing machines and, then behind them, you will find the steps that lead to the most secret bar in the City of Light – Lavomatic. And trust me, you will be delighted. This more than amazing place offers a great mix of original cocktails, delicious food and cozy atmosphere. 

Lavomatic, Paris

30 Rue René Boulanger, 75010 Paris, France

Canal Saint-Martin

62 quai de la Marne, 75019 Paris, France

Speakeasy

The 10th Parisian district is a place with many secret bars such as Café A, Pechoire de l’est et Comptoir Général. Some of them are hidden behind the walls of ancient convents, others above the railway stations or even inside the old hangars. But Lavomatic is probably the funniest place. Just imagine the faces of the laundry customers, when they see you disappearing behind the washing machines. This bar was created by three friends, who imagined it as a French version of a “speakeasy”. The speakeasy were the illicit bars selling alcoholic drinks during the Prohibition era in the United States, but even if the Prohibition ended in 1933, the term “speakeasy” is still used to describe the secret bars such as Lavomatic.

Basil Instinct

Lavomatic is a place where you can have a glass of natural wine or craft beer, but I suggest you try their cocktails. They are more than original and made from fresh and seasonal products. For example, the “Basil Instinct”, is a cocktail made of fresh basil, cucumber, gin, lime juice, elderflower syrup, egg white and rose and the “Josephine” with fresh mash tangerine. But this is not all. Lavomatic offers some delicious food made from fresh ingredients that you can share with your friends. And of course, the atmosphere is nice and cozy. This is a perfect bar to spend a night out with your friends, but Lavomatic is also a place where you can acquire some basic knowledge about cocktails. They offer 2-hour lessons, during which you can learn all about the main principles of cocktails mixology.

Practical information

Lavomatic is one of the secret corners of Paris that you should absolutely put on your to-visit list. This bar is open on Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 pm to 1 am, and from Thursday to Saturday from 6 pm to 2 am.