Les Ambassadeurs
Fine dining restaurant · La Madeleine ·
Inventive cocktails, live music, and elegant 18th-century decor
Inventive cocktails, live music, and elegant 18th-century decor
"Housed in one of Paris’s most opulent five-star hotels, this nightlife destination pairs a talented team of bartenders with culinary input from the kitchen and live music to draw both locals and visitors. Its storied history has welcomed illustrious guests like Peggy Guggenheim and Jean Cocteau, and the drinks list ranges from classic Negronis to a famed riff on the French 75." - Laura Itzkowitz
"Set inside an 18th-century palace originally built by the Duc d’Aumont and reopened after a meticulous four-year renovation in 2017, this bar offers craft cocktails beneath cloud-frescoed ceilings in a sumptuous room of marble walls, gilded moldings, crystal-inlaid tables, crushed-velvet armchairs and chandeliers draped with metal chains that lend a contemporary edge to historic grandeur. Under bar director Kevin Rigault the program reimagines classic cocktails with seasonal, often locally sourced ingredients — examples include an autumn New Fashioned with quince and pear, a Negroni variation flavored with porcini for an umami note, and a French 75 riff made with tequila infused with makrut lime, agave, olive brine, citrus, and Champagne. Elevated bar bites mirror the drinks’ balance of comfort and creativity, notably mini cheeseburgers and a mini croque with black truffle and comté, while live music (from solo piano to four-piece bands) and personalized, accessible service create a lively, tailored atmosphere that invites Parisians and visitors alike to indulge." - Laura Itzkowitz
"For an evening that’ll make you feel like a celebrity, have drinks at Bar Les Ambassadeurs. It’s in a hotel previously owned by a count, and built to host actual ambassadors. You'll find original 18th-century frescos, low lighting, and chic velvet couches, which perfectly set the mood for date night—so bring your best, fashion-wise, and try not to freak out if Madonna walks past. As for the cocktails, they're excellent—each season they select a few ingredients and build drinks around each one, like an Old Fashioned infused with mushrooms. Of course, the classics are there, but maybe try something new—you’re in Paris on Place de la Concorde dropping €30+ per cocktail." - tanisha townsend
"For an evening that’ll make you feel like a celebrity, have drinks at Bar Les Ambassadeurs. It’s in a hotel previously owned by a count, and built to host actual ambassadors. You'll find original 18th-century frescos, low lighting, and chic velvet couches, which perfectly set the mood for date night—so bring your best, fashion-wise, and try not to freak out if Madonna walks past. As for the cocktails, they're excellent—each season they select a few ingredients and build drinks around each one, like an Old Fashioned infused with mushrooms. Of course, the classics are there, but maybe try something new—you’re in Paris on Place de la Concorde dropping €30+ per cocktail." - Tanisha Townsend
"Standing on Place de la Concorde and facing off with the Luxor Obelisk, the prestigious Hôtel de Crillon is home to an exceptional bar, Les Ambassadeurs. The impressive décor is typical of 18th century France and the epitome of elegance with its profusion of marble, gilding and huge mirrors that allow you to see without being seen. The drinks, created by this luxury hotel's mixologists, are just as seductive as the backdrop – the Sloe Berry, for example, is a refreshing reinterpretation of a gin fizz, while the Olive is the house's own dirty martini. The good news for non-drinkers is that there are also alcohol-free versions of almost every cocktail." - The MICHELIN Guide