When it comes to date nights in Paris, you don’t have to go very far. But if you are a wine amateur and treasure intimacy and authenticity, I recommend these lovely wine bars.

Image by www.cheznousparis.com

Chez Nous

When we were students in Paris, we loved the Saint-Germain – Mabillon area for its dance clubs, pubs and late-night burgers. Now, when we want a good glass of wine for our date night out in town, we go there for Chez Nous.

Perfectly nestled on the edge of the lively St Germain neighborhood and in front of the Pont Neuf bridge, the bar opens its glass doors onto the sidewalk to allow customers to enjoy some sun in the summer months. During the wintery cold, it provides a small oasis of warmth and conviviality.

The bar owners and friends – Robin and Arthur – are your wine gurus. Tell them what you are in the mood for, and they will let you taste different wines until you find your perfect wine match. And it doesn’t take very long – these guys are very good at what they do.

The wine selection at Chez Nous prioritizes small winemakers and always includes a few interesting surprises. Among them are many natural and biodynamic wines. Feel free to ask for a specific grape, region, winemaking process or flavor profile.

Like all good hosts, Robin and Arthur don’t just serve you drinks and let you go hungry. They offer a short but mouthwatering list of small dishes made with the highest-quality, local and artisanal products. How would you feel about charcuterie from the Basque country, giant Italian Burrata, organic salmon gravlax, or truffled gouda?

The loft-like interior design with a communal wooden bar at the center of the room creates a perfect casual-chic atmosphere. And although the bar can get busy in the later hours of the evening, it never fails to maintain a feeling of intimacy, perfect for a small get-together with friends or a romantic date.

Reservation is not required, but if visiting on the weekend, early arrival is highly recommended.

10 rue Dauphine, 75006 Paris | +33 (0)1 43 26 42 69

Learn more about the Chez Nous wine bar in Paris.

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LQV Le Quinze Vins

We discovered Le Quinze Vins by accident on a rainy November evening and it instantly became our date night favorite. An address reserved for quiet weeknight outings or Saturday aperitif, it always welcomes you into its quiet, bright space with a promise of a delightful wine tasting experience.

Inside the bar, there is space enough for twenty odd people and over 1,500 different wines. Once seated at the table, your eyes travel immediately up the adjacent wall of empty bottles. A few legends stand out right away – Domaine Romanée-Conti, Domaine Prieuré Roch, Pétrus. All around is an overall impressive selection of winemakers, old and new, in bottles, magnums and jeroboams.

Don’t panic when you receive the wine list the size of a French encyclopedia. It is extensive but neatly organized by country and region, so just start from there. Take your time to travel through the different regions of France and ailleurs and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you get lost. The English-speaking sommelier will guide you, offer generous, knowledgeable advice, and point out the day’s wine specials.

The order being made, it is swiftly carried out by the manager who gets up on a ladder to pull the bottle from one of the many shelves lining the wall and plucks it open with a gentle ‘pop.’ The glasses clink their way to your table, the wine is presented and poured. Enjoy.

In case you’ve got a little appetite, how about some truffled ham, a platter of well-aged cheese or a homemade Croque Monsieur to complement your drink?

Reservation is not required, but as the bar is very small, come early on the weekends or opt for a weeknight for a slow, quiet evening.

8 Rue Danielle Casanova, 75002 Paris | +33 (0)1 40 13 99 21

Learn more about the LGV–Le Quinze Vins wine bar in Paris