A short stroll from the Champs-Élysées, Gentlemen 1919 delivers a distinctly Parisian take on the speakeasy – part grooming ritual, part salon de dégustation. Guests first encounter a street-facing barbershop complete with leather chairs, polished wood counters and a team offering beard trims and shaves. Curiosity rewarded, a discreet door opens onto the bar proper where low light, club chairs, brass and oak, and the soft hush of Crooner-curated jazz greet guests. It feels cinematic without theatre, the welcome is formal, the mood relaxed.

Service begins with intention. The greeting is a small ceremony with coats stowed and preferences noted, and the room settles at a conversational volume. The bar itself sits at the room’s heart like an open kitchen, eight seats offering an unobstructed view of the bartenders at work. Drinks draw from the canon, Martinis with crystalline edges, spirit-forward staples over hand-cut blocks (sustainably produced clear ice delivered by EV), and seasonal signatures that respect structure while nudging expectation. Presentation is restrained with cocktails served in cut crystal, garnished purposefully.

The SPEAKYZINE, a printed, collectible “magazine” menu, frames the programme. Changing every four to six months, each edition explores a cultural thread and offers classics, house creations and thoughtful NA options. Clarified takes (a translucent, savoury riff on a Bloody Mary among them), barrel-aged serves, and cigar-minded pairings are all available for guests to enjoy. The team’s discipline truly shows in the back-of-house with detailed recipes including timing, colour-coded premixes, controlled storage, and a lab space for syrups, infusions and precise batching.

A spirits list of over 200 includes rare whiskies, cognacs and rums, plus collaborative bottlings including Calvados and Armagnac “Cigar Blends”, a house spirit designed for Havana pairings, and a bespoke Chartreuse produced with partners in gastronomy. Wines privilege maturity and small producers while Champagnes lean toward well-kept vintages. 

At the rear, the fumoir sets Gentlemen 1919 apart in Paris: spacious, expertly ventilated and welcoming to all, with deep leather seating for twelve and a well-stocked humidor. Any guests who buy a cigar during their time at the bar will find themselves with a parting moment gift – a bespoke storm lighter.

Care for people here goes beyond guests to the entire operation at this venue. Daily briefings are precise yet encouraging and genuine mentorship is given, sometimes even practical support for life milestones and future ventures. Ergonomics and safety are considered front and back of house, from station heights to silent alarms and community ties are nurtured on Rue Jean Mermoz with neighbourly apéritifs, mentoring students, charity involvement and an open-door warmth that turns regulars into friends.

Gentlemen 1919 is a study in discretion: classic drinks, cultured cigars, and the kind of service that makes time slow down.