décembre 1, 2006
Is Chez Georges one of the 10 best bars in the world?
So says The Guardian [via Gridskipper], as this week travel editor Isabel Choat rounded up her very favorite places on the planet to imbibe. It's in the #1 spot, but we can't tell whether that means it's the best of the best, worst of the best, or randomly placed in the list. About the 6th Arr. wine bar, she says:
A dingy, smoky cellar bar. Walking into Chez Georges is like finding yourself on the set of a Truffaut film. It’s full of effortlessly cool people who don’t seem to be up themselves, which of course makes them seem even cooler. Early evening everyone is huddled round tiny tables drinking red wine out of glass tumblers or squeezed on to sofas. Come closing time the floor is a mass of flailing limbs and nodding heads.
Sounds like a recipe for a fun night out, despite the huge amount of effort we Parisist editors would need in order to be cool. Have any of you out there checked Chez Georges? We'd like to hear from you.
Chez Georges
11 rue des Canettes, 75006
Photo courtesy of lartnouveau.com
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Chez Georges is a staple. One of the first places my friends took me to in Paris. The place definitely has its charm but Isabel Choat forgets to mention that half of those "effortlessly cool people" are under 18 as well as the fact that in order to get downstairs any woman under 80 must endure the probing stares of the 50+ men-drinking-on-weeknights crowd. Yep, fun.
But then there's always the late night Hava Nagila dancing sessions. What, you thought there was only ONE version of Hava Nagila? Get ready for about 5.
And what is it with travel writers always ruining the best places in a town by screaming to the whole world "This is a hidden gem!"? You KNOW they'd never do that to their hometown.
[1] Posted by: Anna | décembre 1, 2006 8:56 AM
Pretentious and overrated place. Don't ask The Guardian where to drink in Paris, ask somebody in Paris !
[2] Posted by: Simon | décembre 1, 2006 9:52 AM
Good idea Simon...so let's hear it from actual Parisians. What are some of your favorite places?
[3] Posted by: Cosentino | décembre 1, 2006 10:24 AM
>despite the huge amount of effort we Parisist editors would need in order to be cool.
Speak for yourself! I'm cool effortlessly. ;P
[4] Posted by: Bridget | décembre 1, 2006 11:00 AM
Oh, wait, you said editors, not writers. Okay, never mind! ;P
[5] Posted by: Bridget | décembre 1, 2006 11:01 AM
er... no, none of you should ever go to chez georges, I've been going for years and would like to keep from being overrun with cool-seekers. so no. nobody go. go to the pop in. I never go there.
[6] Posted by: maitresse | décembre 1, 2006 11:16 AM
Georges is an institution and was already known before the Guardian paper. It's been there for ages!
Chez Georges can be fun from time to time, if you like dancing with very young people (under 20), in a crowded and smoky atmosphere, and drink cheap but not great wine (is still below 20 euros/bottle), with a candle on your table...
But maybe I am not cool enough to appreciate the cave!
I used to like the www.nimportequoi.fr, but now my favorite bar is the Caveau Montpensier (http://restos.chrisos.com/?s=caveau+montpensier in French)!
[7] Posted by: Chrisos | décembre 6, 2006 2:32 PM
Chez Georges is one of the worst bar I've ever been in Paris. Ok, you've got the "caveau", the creepy and smoky ambiance, and sometimes you can listen to and dance on nice music (as Hava Nagila quoted before which put a stange atmosphere in the place)but this the best swindle for tourists or not. There a bottle of wine you buy for three euros in a supermarket is sold for twenty. I said supermarket, not a wine you bought from a small producer in Bourgogne...
Well, if you still want the ambiance you better go to the "Caveau de la Huchette" near the St Michel, and listen to some Jazz...
For something more.. alternative, go to the "Maldoror" near Oberkampf or to the "Passerelle" near Saint Maur.
[8] Posted by: Klezmer Madness | février 26, 2007 11:33 PM
hello... if anyone reads this please let me know if chez georges has a website!1 i was in paris last month and had an amazing night there and have painted a scene of "the cave" for a project and thought it'd be nice to send them a copy. thank you!
[9] Posted by: meagan | juillet 22, 2007 9:31 AM