Historic for many reasons, Harry’s New York Bar is one of the capital’s most prestigious century-old establishments. For the personalities who have passed through its doors, the cocktails invented there, its “straw vote” for the American presidential election and its resistance to the test of time, this address in the heart of Paris ticks all the boxes of the ancestral spot. We invite you to discover it.
An ancestral bar in the heart of Paris
Like a symbol, Harry’s Bar was inaugurated on November 26, 1911, Thanksgiving Day. Located on rue Daunou in the 2nd arrondissement, it was imported directly from New York and 7th Avenue, where it was dismantled and reassembled identically in Paris. It couldn’t be more authentic! Toad Sloan, a former American jockey, chose the radical solution of moving his New York bar to Paris as Prohibition approached. Thus was born the New York Bar in the heart of Paris.
As the years went by, the establishment found equal success among Parisians and American expatriates and tourists. A pioneer, the owner imported Coca-Cola to Paris, making his bar the first to sell the sweet nectar in France. In 1923, the bar changed hands and its name, as new owner Harry Mac Elhone put his first name on the front. Harry’s New York Bar was the place to be for the Parisian elite of the day. In a cheerful, convivial spirit, the legend of the bar, renowned for its cocktails, was forged. Indeed, the bartenders at New York Bar can officially claim to have created the Bloody Mary, the French 75 and the Blue Lagoon throughout history. It’s a reputation that has attracted the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel, Rita Hayworth, Humphrey Bogart and the Duke of Windsor.
Today, the tradition continues and the ancestral heritage of the place is still felt. Of course, it’s always possible to enjoy a good cocktail, from the great classics that made the bar’s legend to the more original creations. Harry’s New York Bar also stands out for its selection of whiskies, of which there are 350! Whether seated at the counter or in the small piano bar, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in this historic Parisian venue!
Another tradition is that of the straw vote during the American presidential election. For 100 years now, the bar has been collecting the votes of visiting Americans and organizing its own straw vote. And in its 100-year history, Harry’s Bar has only been wrong “two and a half times”. For the 2024 Presidential election, votes have been collected since October 7, and hundreds of votes have been recorded, giving Kamala Harris the winner for the time being. To be continued…
Harry’s New York Bar – 5 rue Daunou – 75005