Cinéma Studio 28
Montmartre, Paris
Bar in Paris, France
Book with PearlWhy go
Cinéma Studio 28 is one of Paris's oldest art-house cinemas, with a bar and terrace garden that make it a strong date-night choice in Montmartre. No reservation needed for the bar side. Go for the atmosphere and period setting rather than a precision cocktail program; and consider pairing drinks with a film screening for a full evening.
About Cinéma Studio 28
Should You Book Cinéma Studio 28?
If you are looking for a date night venue in Montmartre with genuine historical character rather than manufactured atmosphere, Cinéma Studio 28 is worth your evening. This is one of Paris's oldest surviving art-house cinemas, operating since 1928 on Rue Tholozé in the 18th arrondissement, the combination of a working cinema, a bar, a garden terrace gives it a layered quality that straightforwardly themed cocktail bars cannot replicate. For a first visit, expect something that feels lived-in and local rather than polished for tourists.
The Experience
Studio 28's appeal on a date comes primarily from what you see when you walk in: the original cinema decor, period details, a terrace garden that functions as a quiet retreat from the bustle of Montmartre's main drag. The visual setting does a lot of the conversational work for you, which is exactly what you want on a first or early-stage date. The bar area operates independently of film screenings, so you do not need to commit to a movie to enjoy the space, though pairing a drink with a screening is the obvious move if you want a full evening structure. For two people wanting a low-pressure, high-atmosphere evening, the format works well. Compare this to Candelaria, which delivers a sharper cocktail program but a tighter, louder room that rewards groups more than couples. Studio 28 gives you breathing room.
First-Timer Advice
Arrive early in the evening if the terrace is a priority. The garden seating is the leading seat in the house for a date, it fills up on warm evenings without a system to reserve it. The venue sits on a steep street near the Moulin de la Galette, so factor in the walk from the nearest metro. Check the cinema's current screening schedule before you go; the programming shifts, catching a classic film here adds a layer to the night that no standard bar visit can match. Booking difficulty is low; this is not a reservation-heavy venue for the bar side.
Quick reference: Montmartre art-house cinema bar with terrace garden. Easy access, no booking required for bar. Leading for couples seeking atmosphere over cocktail precision.
How It Compares
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Further Afield
Planning details
- Location
- 10 Rue Tholozé, 75018 Paris, France
- Website
- cinema-studio28.fr
- Phone
- +33 1 46 06 47 45
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Studio 28 reads like a preserved fragment of Parisian cinema history. The facade is deliberately restrained—a simple marquee and worn lettering—that gives way to an interior whose low ceiling and close seating feel intentionally lived-in. Decorative touches from Jean Cocteau and the cinema’s 1928 origins anchor the room in a particular cultural moment, so the space feels less like a themed venue and more like an authentic artifact. The bar, dim and unfussy, extends the auditorium’s atmosphere: it treats drinking as part of the ritual rather than a commercial afterthought, and the overall effect is quietly evocative and distinctly historic.
Best For
Studio 28 suits anyone who values atmosphere as much as programming. It works especially well for casual hangouts, after-work drinks and small group outings: the rhythm is to arrive early for a pre-show drink, settle into the intimate screening room and linger at the bar afterward when conversation naturally continues. The compact seating and close quarters make it a social, sensory experience rather than a passive one, so visitors who appreciate conversation, film history and a lived-in setting will get the most from an evening here.
Ordering Tips
Plan to arrive with time to spare so you can drink at the bar before the screening—the description emphasizes that drinks are the proper beginning of the evening. Service and furnishings are unpretentious, so don’t expect elaborate cocktail theatrics; instead, treat the bar as an extension of the auditorium and a place to continue conversation after the film. Because seating is close and the room is small, aim for early arrival to secure comfortable spots and to enjoy the full social rhythm the venue cultivates.
Venue details
Ambiance
Plush screening room with baroque wall lights designed by Jean Cocteau featuring tentacle-like fixtures topped with Punchinello hat shades; intimate bar-garden with vintage charm and artistic heritage throughout.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
View
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Lounge
- Late Night
- Closes by 10pm
- Music
- Classical
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
For date-night bars in Paris, Studio 28's competitive advantage is atmosphere at low commitment. Candelaria has a stronger cocktail program and a genuine cult following, but the back-bar room is compact and loud; better for a group of four than for two people who want to talk. Danico near the Palais-Royal delivers more technical precision and a quieter setting, is the call if the quality of what's in your glass matters more than the room around you. Studio 28 wins on visual setting and ease of access.
Buddha Bar is the other obvious Montmartre-adjacent option for a high-drama first impression, but it skews louder, larger, more expensive; better suited to a group celebration than a two-person evening. Bar Nouveau is worth knowing for its wine-forward approach if your date prefers a glass of something still over cocktails. Harry's Bar carries more historical prestige and a tighter classic cocktail list, but the tourist density in that part of Paris can work against the intimate feel you want on a date.
The short version: book Studio 28 when you want a cinematic setting with minimal planning. Go to Danico when you want the drinks to do the talking. Go to Candelaria when you are with a group rather than a date.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Cinéma Studio 28 guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Cinéma Studio 28
| Venue | Awards |
|---|---|
| Cinéma Studio 28 | 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 |
What to weigh when choosing between Cinéma Studio 28 and alternatives.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cinéma Studio 28 have happy hour deals?
No confirmed happy hour pricing is on record for Studio 28. Paris cinema bars in the 18th arrondissement do sometimes run early-evening drink promotions, but attributing one to Studio 28 without verification would be guesswork. If pricing matters to your decision, call ahead or check on arrival; the terrace garden alone is frequently cited as the draw, not a discounted drinks window.
