With the Olympic games just around the corner and the Paralympic games following shortly after, all of Paris is gearing up for the Olympic opening ceremony on July 26th, 2024. This one is set to be one of the best and we’re all excited to experience it, whether in person or by tuning in online.
Unfortunately, attending the ceremony live is not possible for most people. According to the latest reports, the opening ceremony will not be available to watch from the banks of the Seine for free as originally planned. They’ve reduced the number of spectators from 600,000 to around 300,000, and closed the lower bank entirely. Roughly 100,000 of those attending will be ticket holders and there are still tickets that you can purchase for an insane €900- €2,700 each.
Meanwhile, the roughly 220,000 people watching for free from the upper banks of the river will be there by invitation only - so don’t expect to get to watch the opening ceremony unless you know someone with an apartment overlooking the river or have the connections to get an invite.
But what if you’re in Paris for the Olympics and you want to experience the excitement of the opening ceremony outside of your hotel, airbnb, or home? You’re in luck, because a number of Parisian bars will be screening the ceremony and we’re here to tell you which ones are worth going to so you don’t end up in some loud, generic sports club with lousy beer and food.
What if you want to partake while indulging in some quality drinks with a stellar ambiance?
What if you want to support small businesses who were sold a pipe dream. Who, despite being told that the Olympics would be a huge revenue boost, are seeing their terraces blocked off and a loss of sometimes up to 70% of sales.
Here at Paris in my Pocket, we regularly update and maintain our guide to bring you the best recommendations in Paris. We’re picky about which places we include in the guide, and we’re pumped to share with you that several of our favorite places to drink will be screening the opening ceremony.
Remember - the bridges of the river will be closed off pretty early in the day. We recommend you pick one side of the river and stick to it. All of them will be closed by 7PM. You can rent bikes to get around more quickly, otherwise stroll around and see what’s going on, but stick to the side of the river on which you plan to sleep, just to be safe.
That said, we can hook you up, whatever side of the river you’re on.
Here are our top five Paris in my Pocket recommended bars to watch the Olympic Opening Ceremony 2024.
Left Bank
Café Cayo
CAYO is a coffee roastery and small plates bar/restaurant, brought to you by our friends at Paname Brewing Company and Good New Coffeeshop. The food is delicious, and you can sit back with a pint or a cocktail and feel right at home. CAYO is a great choice for anyone on the left bank who wants to stay away from the crowds. It’s further south in the 13th, where we expect roads will be quite calm!
CAYO is celebrating the opening of the Olympics with a special tapas menu and wine pairing. Later in the evening there will be some DJs performing - it’s sure to be a good time.
The Bombardier
The Bombardier is an English pub that looks out onto the Pantheon and one of the most beautiful churches in Paris: Saint-Etienne-du-Mont. It’s a bar filled with character, and even more tables. If you’re looking for a sports bar energy, but want to keep it classy at the same time (and be in the heart of town!), The Bombardier is for you. There will also be a special summer menu launching Thursday the 25th to celebrate summer and the Olympics, and you'll be able to find live coverage here throughout the games.
Right Bank
Abricot Bar
Abricot is a fantastic cocktail bar on the right bank in the 10e, one of the most bustling neighborhoods in Paris. The cocktails are creative and tasty, and they have a special Olympic cocktail you have to try. They also have what might be the best nachos in Paris and they’re plant based. Drink, nibble, and enjoy the ceremony in a festive, romantic atmosphere.
BBP Canal
Brussels Beer Project is the one Belgian beer place we keep going back to. With a large and varied selection of beers from fruity to sour to stout to you name it, BBP will give you that taphouse vibe you might be looking to couple with anything sports related… but make it craft. Conveniently located near the canal, you’ll also be far from the chaos of central Paris and near some of the best food in town.
Ground Control
Located slightly more south, but still on the right bank, Ground Control is where you want to go if you’re looking for a highly enthusiastic atmosphere. They’ll have an organized dance session at 7pm before the ceremony, followed by a screening, and events all through the next month and a half. It’ll be a party, and a unique experience, that’s for sure!
We recommend these small businesses because they’re our friends. Here at Paris in my Pocket, we’ll almost always send you to locally owned, quality restaurants and bars. Isn’t it good to know you can have it all?
If you’re looking for more incredible places to eat and drink in Paris - whether during the Olympic games or any other time of year, be sure to check out our guide. Hundreds of recommendations. An interactive map. Weekly updates. Access for life. What are you waiting for?
