Eating alone at a table is one thing but drinking alone? Sitting in a bar at a table on your own with a sad lonely drink in front of you is not very convivial even if you are in a crowded bar. As a woman even in the 21st century – the view that if you are going to a bar on your own you want to be picked up. I didn’t want to be picked. There have been times when I have fancied a cheeky cocktail before meeting friends for dinner but not had to courage to go into a bar on my own. That all changed on the 28 May.
Inspired by the first sunny day in this lacklustre summer, I fancied joining these crowds for a quick apero. Why shouldn’t I sit in a bar alone and have a drink and people watch for a little bit.
That is exactly why I did and oh how liberating it felt. Paris is definitely a lover of the solo drinker. I strolled into Les Etages which is just on the outskirts of Le Marais and a few roads away from La place de vosges. The green frontage of the bar looked very inviting in the early evening sun, 8pm to be precise. 
I was in luck happy hour runs from 18h to 20h daily and even though I ordered minutes before the end of happy hour there was no problem. Rather than have a cocktail, it was a school night after all, I decided to have a pint of beer for €5.50. Happy hour includes beer on tap, classic old school cocktails and wine.
There were a few couples and friends hanging out in the wonderfully rough luxe, eclectic looking bar. Nobody stared at me andI just settled into the cosy chair and kicked back and listened to the good mixture of tunes. I felt very relaxed.
The bar is called Les Etages/The Floors as it over a few floors although you need to pay for your drink before you go upstairs!
I will definitely coming back to this friendly and relaxed bar to have a hassle free solo apero and I may even try their skyfall cocktail!
Les Etages – 35, rue veille du Temple
Metro – St Paul
Ahh, your right in my old ‘hood. Good for you going solo 🙂
The hood is just not the same without you!!