Where to have a drink by the Seine?

A barge in the 16e with a pool, a guinguette at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, a boat with an XXL terrace and music galore, a chic table floating on the Seine, mussels and fries and rosé straight from a crazy terrace imagined by a former Concrete member… Where to party in the open air, have a drink, snack and dance under the open sky by the water’s edge? Follow the guide to the best summer parties with a view.

La compagnie des Maquereaux celebrates a decade of barges by dropping anchor once again in the Seine, this time on the sixteenth side, far from the hustle and bustle of the capital. We leave the turmoil behind to embrace the calm of the water’s edge, and the coolness of the vegetation of the Bois de Boulogne. La Marina is a sunny barge rocking on the waves, a stone’s throw from the passerelle de l’Avre, where we don't hesitate to admire the stunning view of La Défense upon arrival or departure. The best part: a long swimming pool where you can take a dip by reserving a time slot. A dream!

The pitch: oyster bar on the barge, cocktails and snacking by the pool, DJ Sets all summer long, a kids friendly area and small boat rides offered by Green River Cruises. We have an apéro with our feet almost in the water while snacking on breaded prawns, cucumber mayo and grilled avocado (€19) or fried calamari with tartar sauce (€15). For dinner, the tables on the deck offer an unobstructed view of the Seine. On cooler evenings, we sit inside, open all year, in a soothing and stylish light-wood decor imagined by studio St. Lazare. On the menu, fresh and refined cuisine signed Saghatel Karapetyan, the chef who passed through all the best kitchens in Paris, committed to honoring the marina vibe with a thoughtful menu. Eden of iodized palates, we enjoy a sea bream carpaccio with crunchy fennel, citrus vinaigrette and melba toast (€16). Full experience with the seafood platter (€42) or Plougrescant oysters, fish like roasted cod (€28) or fish and chips (€22). In short, enough to start (or prolong) the holidays.

La Marina - Les Maquereaux, 1 allée du bord de l’eau, Paris 16e. Open Tuesday 5 pm to midnight. Thursday 4 pm to 11:30 pm. Friday and Saturday 12 pm to 11:30 pm. Sunday 12 pm to 6 pm.

New cool spot to drink and snack at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, Bonnotte Club is a casual address, one foot in the water and one foot on the Port de Suffren dock. Half-barge, half-giant terrace on the cobblestones, this bar offers a simple – but very good – apéro in a relaxed – but very pleasant – setting. The concept? Recreate a true holiday guinguette on the banks of the Seine, a festive and musical place we love for its ephemeral terrace lit up with fairy lights. Our rec for a duo: walk through the inside of the barge to reach the intimate pontoon where you can lean on the rail(bar) in front of the Seine, the expanse of water at your feet. More of a group of friends? Head to the picnic tables to toast with a pince sold at €5 during happy hour (until 8 pm) before getting carried away by the music or challenging a friend at foosball.

We snack on delicious dips like hummus, avocado-feta mix, or pepper-cream cheese (€8), or a tomato-burrata plate that really tastes like tomato and burrata (€12). Bigger appetites go for beach-style eats: we hesitate between the hot-dog (€9) and the crab roll (€16). For drinks, sip a Lillet Tonic (€10) or a Lillet Spritz (€12), or low-sugar sodas for the no-alcohol folks tired of Coke (€3.50).

Bonnotte Club, Port de Suffren, Paris 7e. Open every day. Monday to Friday from 5 pm to 2 am, Saturday from 3 pm to 2 am, Sunday from 12 pm to 2 am.

This is the spot for carefree partygoers who still want a better view than the walls of rue de Lappe. At Mazette, music is invited on every floor! The large terrace welcomes groups of friends in a fairy lights, greenery, and sunset ambiance. The glassed ground floor houses a restaurant and the basement a nightclub. It’s the most affordable and unifying apéro on the water, both inclusive and festive. In short, stay tuned to follow the crazy summer programming.

Its added value? Original cocktails that change from the classics like the Peachy Gin (Gin, jasmine syrup, peach juice, sparkling water) or the Guinguette (dark rum, double juice, rosemary syrup, mango) at €13. We snack on shared plates like vegetable tempura and aioli (€9), hummus of the day with focaccia (€8) or a vitello tonnato with corn tostadas and eggplant caviar (€12). After a few pints (€8.50), big appetites devour a cheeseburger (€12) or its veggie portobello version (€11). After midnight on weekends, it’s paninuit (€9)!

Mazette, 69, Port de la râpée, Paris 12e. Open Tuesday and Wednesday 5 pm to midnight, Thursday 5 pm to 1 am, Friday and Saturday 5 pm to 6 am.

The banks of the Beaugrenelle district hide a decidedly fancy restaurant on their quays. Meticulously decorated by architect Martin Brudnizki (La Fantaisie, Pink Mamma), this boat-restaurant rocked by the waves of the Seine and decorated in Roaring Twenties style is one of the ultra-chic addresses of the Beaumarly group. Elegant and festive, this atmospheric venue offers a summer terrace and piano concert evenings that will have you singing between two bites on Thursdays and Fridays. We gladly escape there for a summer night out, whether it’s for a romantic date or to dance with friends for a birthday. The chill team will try the Sunday brunch facing the Seine. The hardest part: choosing between the view of the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, or simply settling on the terrace by the water.

We fall for the seaside selection of the menu! To share: truffle tarama (€13), fines de claire n°3 oysters (€24) or a delightful salmon tosazu sashimi (€16). You can’t miss the sesame-seared tuna as a main (€34), to pair with tasty broccolinis. On the meat side, if you go for the Milanese, expect a generous and comforting one (€30). For dessert, the salted caramel rice pudding will delight you (€12), unless you prefer the comforting soft cookie with vanilla ice cream (€13)...

La Plage Parisienne, Port de Javel Haut, Paris 15e. Open Wednesday to Friday from 7 pm to 2 am, weekends from 12 pm to 3 pm and from 7 pm to 2 am. Booking recommended at 01 82 82 00 89.

Second edition for the ephemeral terrace PLAT/FORM, born from the vision of the Constellation group of Aurélien Dubois (ex-boss of club Concrete) and Quai 36 production house. And here, let’s say it: you don’t just enjoy a few bites facing the Seine’s ripples! Food, Music and Art are the three keywords of this hybrid place along the quays of the 13th arrondissement, not far from the historic BnF. A true cultural and social lab where the art of living comes in plural form. DJ sets from Thursday to Sunday, Creative Talks to discuss an artist and their work, daring cocktails… And this year, cheffe Chloé Charles is in the kitchen, ensuring a thoughtful menu with local, seasonal products. Our rec: grab seats facing the Seine and enjoy the giant misters on scorching days. Aren’t we good here?

At PLAT/FORM, it’s the sea that takes the man: fish tempura (€9) and Arcachon oysters (€13) are perfect to start the apéro, before continuing with a grilled gurnard gravlax and smoked cream (€13). More of a veggie team? The tomato salad, fig leaf oil vinaigrette and grilled bread (€8) is just right. For gourmets who don’t want to leave the land entirely: go for mussels and fries, here served with txistorra for the earthy twist (€20). A small verbena or lemon-basil ice cream to end and that’s that.

PLAT/FORM, 14 port de la gare, Paris 13e. Open daily from 12 pm to 2 am. Snacking every evening, full menu starting Tuesday night.

Fairy lights hung in the trees, big wooden tables… La Démesure sur Seine is back on quai de la Râpée to liven up Parisians' apéros under the exact sun. On the music side, it’s going to groove with sharp DJs spinning funk, soul, disco and hip hop. All the things we love.

On the menu: hummus and pita bread (€13), tzatziki (€13), crispy shrimp with sriracha mayo (€17), truffled ham (€15) or cecina de bœuf (€17). To wash it all down: mind-blowing cocktails like the super fresh Gin Tay (dry gin, homemade jasmine tea, lemongrass syrup, lemon, €14) or the Miss Kofi (rum, passion purée, apple juice, lemon, vanilla syrup, €14).

La Démesure sur Seine, 69 port de la Rapée, Paris 12e. Open daily from 6 pm to 2 am. Online booking.

Right next to the gorgeous pont Alexandre III, this is THE cult hangout for parties by the Seine. Inspired by a distinctly Camargue mood, the Rosa Bonheur group docks at the Port des Invalides, next to the Musée d’Orsay. The huge atmospheric terrace, with rainbow colors and always super cool disco DJ sets, instantly brings vacation vibes among friends.

And Rosa treats us with the perfect food selection to share: awesome pizzas (from €10), small tapas (from €3.50), and even delicious Camargue cannelés (€8 for 4), to pair with a glass of rosé (€6) or a cold Carlsberg (€7). What we especially love? Its guinguette soul with special care for inclusivity and a no-creep party vibe. Heartthrob… for the crazy view of the Grand Palais!

Rosa Bonheur sur Seine, open Monday and Tuesday from 5 pm to midnight, Wednesday to Sunday from 12 pm to midnight. 2 Port des Invalides, Paris 7e. 01 47 53 66 92.
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