No wine is served at this venerable establishment. “We only serve American drinks here!” the smartly efficient barmen will tell you. Indeed, Harry McElhone’s 1923 watering hole was conceived to appeal to American ex-pats and tourists. The walls are bedecked with pennants from every college in the U.S. and New York-style hotdogs are served from the bar. The cozy, wood-paneled room has a jolly Ivy League vibe. Classic cocktails like the Bloody Mary, the French 75, the White Lady and the Sidecar originated here and are still mixed to utter perfection.
Knute Rockne, Sinclair Lewis, Ernest Hemingway, Bill Tilden, Coco Chanel, Jack Dempsey, Ramon Novarro, Aly Khan, Rita Hayworth, Humphrey Bogart, and Brendan Behan all tippled here. George Gershwin composed “An American in Paris” on the piano in the downstairs lounge.
“Sank Roo Doe Noo” is painted on the outside window to help Americans remember the address.
Toddle in to Harry’s with this video from Conde Nast Traveler:
5 Rue Daunou, 75002, Paris, France
01-42-61-71-14
