Bar Hemingway at the Ritz Paris

“When I dream of an afterlife, the action always takes place in the Paris Ritz,” wrote Ernest Hemingway. It’s the highest possible praise from a man who made a living off of seeing the world, writing brash yet wistful stories about his adventures, and (of course) spending excessive amounts of time in Europe’s most reputable watering holes. But what made the Paris Ritz so special to this beloved author?

Situated in the heart of the 1st arrondissement and just a few blocks north of the Seine, the Paris Ritz is a five-star hotel that embodies the essence of luxury. And rightfully so. One of the most iconic cities in the world introduced us to the original location for one of the most renowned brands in the hospitality industry. In a city so steeped in splendor and drama, anything less than over-the-top lavishness would feel out of place. There’s a clear reason why wealthy folks seeking materialistic pleasures have flocked to the resort since its founding back in 1898. Including our eponymously titled guest.

Hemingway frequented the bar (called Le Petit Bar back then) many times throughout his early-20th-century escapades living in Paris. Often times he was seen here accompanied with other greats from the Jazz Age such as F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. There is even one tall tale that, close to the end of WWII, Hemingway claimed to have barged into the hotel and “liberated” it from the Nazis. Although there are many locales that bleed into fictionalized bars from works of his like The Sun Also Rises, there is no argument that Paris nightlife played a crucial role in both his writing and his overall life. The original bar at the Ritz sadly closed in the 1980ss, but was reopened nearly a dozen years later as an hommage to the late author.

The bar itself is very quaint. It is steeped in wood paneling with black and white photos and other memorabilia draped over the walls like the average American dive bar. But the setting is purposely designed in that manner... to give the guests the intimate feeling of being transported back to a different era. Bargoers can sit either in grand leather lounge chairs or rest on a stool at the bar while watching some of the world’s best bartenders carefully craft their order. The result? Elaborate cocktails that are delicious and quite potent (and yes, expensive too. Remember we are still at the Ritz). Ladies even get a decorative rose with their drink order. However, be ready to wait in line for a bit as the bar only holds up to 25 patrons at a time. But the wait is worth it. Whether it’s reminiscing with friends while drinking whisky cocktails over the gold leaf trimmed tables or meeting fellow strangers serendipitously for a night in Paris, Bar Hemingway provides the atmosphere to create a memorable night.