PARIS | The term ‘iconic’ is bandied around far too often. In the case of Harry’s Bar, however, it’s apt. Originally opened as a bistro on 7th avenue in Manhattan, New York City, retired American jockey Tod Sloan purchased the venue in 1911, and moved it piece by piece to Paris. He rechristen it as a bar, named it ‘The New York Bar’, and hired Scottish bartender Harry MacElhone to run it.
Word of Paris’ only New York style bar spread, boosted by Sloan’s reputation (he was a hall-of-famer), and MacElhone’s excellent drinks. It was a popular venue for American soldiers during World War I, along with American expatriates and celebrities from around the world. Sloan’s lavish lifestyle led to him being forced to sell the bar. MacElhone purchased it from him, renamed it ‘Harry’s New York Bar’, and it’s remained in the family ever since.
The dark, mahogany bar evokes memories of a time long passed, with historic college sports paraphernalia and old newspaper clippings dotted about. It’s a casual place, where you’ll encounter people from around the world conversing and singing together. There’s a piano bar in the basement, where George Gershwin composed ‘An American in Paris’.
As for the drinks, Harry’s has a cocktail list that’s fitting of its reputation. There’s over 400 cocktails and 350 whiskeys on the menu. Most bars features a classics list and a house creations list, but there are few where both overlap to this extent. Cocktails that were invented (as best anyone knows) at Harry’s include the Bloody Mary, French 75, Sidecar and Monkey Gland.
Harry’s New York Bar
5 Rue Daunou
75002 Paris
France
Telephone: 014 261 7114
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Sun: 5:00pm to 1:00am
Mon – Sat: 12:00pm to 2:00am