Cantada II
Ménilmontant, Paris
Bar in Paris, France
Book with PearlWhy go
Cantada II is a low-key 11th arrondissement bar that works well for a date night precisely because it's easy to book and genuinely feels like a neighbourhood spot rather than a curated destination. For a two-person evening in Paris without the reservation anxiety, it's a practical and honest choice. Book the same week; no weeks-out planning required.
About Cantada II
Verdict
Cantada II, on Rue Moret in the 11th arrondissement, is a low-key date option that works precisely because it doesn't try too hard. For a two-person evening in one of Paris's most lived-in neighbourhoods, this is an easy booking; and in a city where worthwhile bars can take weeks to secure a spot, that matters. If you want a polished cocktail programme with a reservations headache, look elsewhere. If you want a neighbourhood bar that feels genuine rather than staged, Cantada II earns the visit.
The Space
The 11th is one of Paris's most reliable arrondissements for this kind of evening: close enough to Oberkampf's bar strip to feel connected to the city's nightlife, but with enough residential texture that rooms here tend to read as destinations rather than tourist waypoints. Visually, expect the kind of setting that photographs modestly but rewards being inside it; worn surfaces, warm light, the kind of room that looks better at 9 PM than in a press shot. For a date night, that contrast is a feature, not a flaw. Venues that look better in person than in pictures tend to sustain an evening more reliably than those designed around Instagram angles.
Date Night Assessment
The 11th arrondissement bar scene is well-suited to special occasions that don't want a formal dining register. Cantada II fits the middle ground between a casual drink and a destination evening. Arrival is direct from République or Ménilmontant metro stops, which removes the logistical friction that can undercut a date before it starts. Booking is easy, this is not a venue where you need to plan weeks ahead, which also makes it a viable option for a spontaneous anniversary or a last-minute celebration.
For context on the wider Paris bar scene, see our full Paris bars guide. If you're building a full evening, our full Paris restaurants guide and our full Paris hotels guide cover dinner and stay options nearby. Further afield, Papa Doble in Montpellier, Bar Fouquet's in Cannes, and Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu represent the kind of bars worth comparing when thinking about what a strong two-person evening looks like. You can also browse our full Paris wineries guide and our full Paris experiences guide to extend the occasion.
Quick reference: 13 Rue Moret, 75011 Paris. Easy to book. 11th arrondissement. Well suited to two people.
Planning details
- Location
- 13 Rue Moret, 75011 Paris, France
- Website
- cantada.net
- Phone
- +33 1 48 05 96 89
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Cantada II reads like a proper neighbourhood bar: understated, familiar and quietly purposeful. It leans into the 11th arrondissement’s tradition of places that serve locals first, where the ritual of drinking matters more than spectacle. The room privileges conversation over performance, and visits unfold at a deliberate pace—part of the appeal is the slow attention to what’s in the glass rather than loud theatrics. That modest authority makes the place feel classic and intimate: a reference point that doesn’t announce itself but rewards repeated evenings and patient exploration.
Best For
This is a bar for evenings when you want to settle in rather than be entertained. It suits group outings and casual hangouts among friends who appreciate well-made drinks and conversation, and it fits late-night rhythms the neighbourhood is known for. Because Cantada II is rooted in a local tradition and frequented by regulars, it’s also best for visitors who are comfortable with low-key, authentic spots rather than tourist-oriented venues. The pacing favors lingering sessions over quick drinks—plan for an unrushed night.
Ordering Tips
Approach the bar with the expectation of expert, low-key service: the staff know regulars and care about what’s in the glass, so ask for their recommendation rather than seeking elaborate theatre. Favor classic, well-executed drinks and allow time for the experience to unfold—the venue prizes a slower pace. If you want conversation, arrive at a time when the room is settling in rather than during peak noisy hours; otherwise, lean into the local ritual and let the bartenders guide your choices.
Venue details
Ambiance
Dim lighting with a grungy, rock-oriented aesthetic; heavy metal music blasts throughout; decorated with rock memorabilia and posters; basement features karaoke and event space.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Dive Bar
- Late Night
- Open Until 4am
- Music
- Heavy Metal and Rock 'n' Roll
- Live Music
- Yes
Signature Pours
Absinthe with flaming sugar cube
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Bar Nouveau; Notable alternative
- Buddha Bar; Notable alternative
- Candelaria; Notable alternative
- Danico; Notable alternative
- Harry's Bar; Notable alternative
Bar context
How It Compares
For a date night in Paris, Cantada II sits at the accessible, unfussy end of the bar spectrum; which is either its strength or its limitation depending on what you're after. If the priority is a striking room and a serious cocktail list, Danico near the Palais-Royal delivers more technical ambition and a more polished setting, though it requires more forward planning and comes at a higher price point. Buddha Bar is the choice if spectacle is the goal; the room is dramatic enough to anchor a celebration on its own; but it trades neighbourhood intimacy for scale, which doesn't always suit a two-person evening.
Candelaria in the Marais is probably the closest peer to Cantada II in terms of atmosphere and booking ease, with the added draw of a taqueria up front and a cocktail bar behind. For a date that wants some structure to the evening, Candelaria's format gives you more to do. Harry's Bar is the heritage pick; deeply embedded in Paris bar history; but better for the first-time visitor wanting a landmark than for a repeat visitor looking for something that feels current. Bar Nouveau leans into a more designed aesthetic and works if visual setting matters more than neighbourhood feel.
The honest comparison: Cantada II is the least demanding option in this set, that's its point. If you want to book the same week, arrive without a dress code calculation, spend the evening focused on the person across from you rather than the mechanics of a high-profile reservation, it earns its place. For a bigger celebration that needs a room to match, Danico or Buddha Bar will serve you better.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Cantada II guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Cantada II
| Venue | Awards |
|---|---|
| Cantada II | No published awards |
| Bar Nouveau | 2026 Europe's 50 Best Bars · #5Top 500 Bars 2026 · #18Tales Spirited Awards 2026 - Best International Cocktail Bar - Best International Cocktail Bar (Top 10 Nominee)2025 World's 50 Best Bars · #172024 World's 50 Best Bars · #39 |
| Buddha Bar | 2011 World's 50 Best Bars · #202010 World's 50 Best Bars · #432009 World's 50 Best Bars · #3 |
| Candelaria | Top 500 Bars 2026 · #842026 Pinnacle Guide2026 OAD Casual in Europe Recommended2025 OAD Casual in Europe Ranked · #3382024 OAD Casual in Europe Ranked · #3302023 OAD Casual in Europe Highly Recommended2018 World's 50 Best Bars · #422017 World's 50 Best Bars · #192016 World's 50 Best Bars · #17 |
| Danico | Top 500 Bars 2026 · #172026 Europe's 50 Best Bars · #19Tales Spirited Awards 2026 - World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Australian Bitters Co. - World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Australian Bitters Co. (Top Four Finalist)Tales Spirited Awards 2026 - World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Australian Bitters Co. - World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Australian Bitters Co. (Top 10 Nominee)2025 World's 50 Best Bars · #302024 World's 50 Best Bars · #492023 World's 50 Best Bars · #51 |
| Harry's Bar | 2026 Europe's 50 Best Bars · #27Top 500 Bars 2026 · #602011 World's 50 Best Bars · #92010 World's 50 Best Bars · #92009 World's 50 Best Bars · #15Pearl Recommended Bars |
How Cantada II stacks up against the competition.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cantada II located?
Cantada II is located in Paris, at 13 Rue Moret, 75011 Paris, France.
