Sherry Butt is a serious cocktail bar tucked away on a quiet street near Bastille, where sherry takes center stage alongside an impressive whisky selection. Named "Best French Cocktail Bar" in 2013 and once ranked among the World's 50 Best Bars, it's the kind of place where the bartenders genuinely care about what's in your glass — no attitude, just craft. The vibe is unpretentious lounge with dim lighting and exposed stone, a welcome middle ground between stuffy Saint-Germain cocktail temples and self-conscious hipster hangouts.
A World's 50 Best Bars alum near Bastille where sherry-forward cocktails and a deep whisky list meet dim-lit, unpretentious charm.
Go early in the evening (around 7pm) on weekdays to snag a spot at the bar — it fills up fast and the bar seats are where the magic happens.
Serious sherry cocktails without the attitude
If you're tired of cocktail bars that take themselves more seriously than their drinks, Sherry Butt is your spot. Tucked on the rue Beautreillis just steps from Place de la Bastille, this place has been quietly doing exceptional work since 2012. The name refers to the sherry cask used in whisky aging, and true to form, the menu leans heavily on sherry-forward cocktails and a deep whisky selection. The bartenders here are the real deal — they'll talk you through the menu, ask what you're in the mood for, and build something that actually matches. No guesswork, no pretension.
The space is all exposed stone, warm low lighting, and a laid-back lounge feel that sits perfectly between the overly polished Saint-Germain cocktail scene and the try-hard hipster bars of Bastille. It's intimate without being cramped, and the crowd skews toward people who actually care about what they're drinking. The bar snacks are better than they need to be — don't skip them. With a 4.6 rating across nearly 800 reviews and a history that includes "Best French Cocktail Bar" and a spot on the World's 50 Best Bars list, this isn't just a neighborhood secret anymore. But it still feels like one.