How to order drinks in French bars — regional alcohols and essential phrases (A2–B2)

French bar culture combines social rituals, regional pride in local alcohols, and unwritten etiquette rules that differ significantly from Anglo-American drinking customs. Mastering how to order drinks confidently in French bars requires understanding both linguistic phrases and cultural context, from the proper moment to say “santé” to knowing which regional apéritif to order depending on where you find yourself in France.

How to order drinks in French bars regional alcohols guide — 🍷 Ordering drinks in French bars — essential phrases and regional specialties.

✈️ Travel & Practical French ⏱️ 16–18 min read 🇺🇸 EN · 🇫🇷 FR inside

Understanding French drinking establishments

Le café vs le bar — key differences

French distinguishes between “café” and “bar” more precisely than English. A café primarily serves coffee, non-alcoholic beverages, and light food throughout the day, though most also serve beer, wine, and basic cocktails. Cafés function as neighborhood social hubs where locals read newspapers, work on laptops, or meet friends for coffee at any hour. The atmosphere remains relaxed and family-friendly, with outdoor terraces integral to French café culture.

A bar focuses primarily on alcoholic beverages and operates primarily during evening hours, though many open late afternoon. Bars cultivate more specialized atmospheres—wine bars, cocktail bars, sports bars—and attract clientele seeking specific drinking experiences rather than all-day casual socializing. However, this distinction blurs significantly in practice, with many establishments functioning as café during day and bar during evening.

Le bistrot and brasserie

These terms add further nuance. A bistrot traditionally means a small, casual restaurant serving simple French food with wine, though the term now often describes any unpretentious neighborhood establishment. A brasserie historically referred to breweries but now means larger restaurants serving Alsatian-influenced food and beer continuously throughout the day. Both serve full drink menus alongside food, unlike pure cafés or bars.

Essential phrases for ordering drinks

Polite ordering formulas

French bar service requires more formal politeness than American casual ordering. Never command “Give me a beer” or point silently expecting service. Always use conditional tense or polite request formulas:

🇫🇷 FR — Je voudrais un verre de vin rouge, s’il vous plaît. /ʒə vudʁɛ œ̃ vɛʁ də vɛ̃ ʁuʒ, sil vu plɛ/
🇺🇸 EN — I would like a glass of red wine, please.

🇫🇷 FR — Est-ce que je pourrais avoir une bière pression ? /ɛs kə ʒə puʁɛ avwaʁ yn bjɛʁ pʁɛsjɔ̃/
🇺🇸 EN — Could I have a draft beer?

🇫🇷 FR — Pour moi, ce sera un pastis, s’il vous plaît. /puʁ mwa, sə səʁa œ̃ pastis, sil vu plɛ/
🇺🇸 EN — For me, it will be a pastis, please.

Catching the server’s attention

Never snap fingers, wave frantically, or shout “Garçon!” (waiter)—considered extremely rude in modern France. Instead, make eye contact and raise your hand slightly, or politely say:

🇫🇷 FR — Excusez-moi ! /ɛkskyzɛ mwa/
🇺🇸 EN — Excuse me!

🇫🇷 FR — S’il vous plaît ! /sil vu plɛ/
🇺🇸 EN — Please! (used to get attention)

Ordering rounds for a group

When ordering for multiple people, specify clearly:

🇫🇷 FR — Trois bières et deux verres de vin blanc, s’il vous plaît. /tʁwa bjɛʁ e dø vɛʁ də vɛ̃ blɑ̃, sil vu plɛ/
🇺🇸 EN — Three beers and two glasses of white wine, please.

🇫🇷 FR — La même chose pour tout le monde. /la mɛm ʃoz puʁ tu lə mɔ̃d/
🇺🇸 EN — The same thing for everyone.

Asking for recommendations

🇫🇷 FR — Qu’est-ce que vous me conseillez comme vin de la région ? /kɛs kə vu mə kɔ̃sɛje kɔm vɛ̃ də la ʁeʒjɔ̃/
🇺🇸 EN — What regional wine would you recommend?

🇫🇷 FR — Vous avez une spécialité locale ? /vuz‿ave yn spesjалite lɔkal/
🇺🇸 EN — Do you have a local specialty?

French bar etiquette and customs

L’apéro — the sacred pre-dinner ritual

L’apéritif (shortened to “l’apéro”) represents a fundamental French social custom—having drinks and small snacks before dinner, typically between 18h-20h (6-8pm). The apéro serves as social transition from work to evening, gathering friends or family for conversation over drinks. Traditional apéritif drinks include pastis, kir, vermouth, champagne, or light cocktails. Never order heavy meals during apéro—only small nibbles (olives, chips, crackers, charcuterie) accompany drinks.

When invited to someone’s home for dinner, expect an apéro period before the actual meal. Arriving punctually means participating in the apéro, while arriving late means missing this important social bonding moment. The apéro can last thirty minutes to two hours depending on formality and group dynamics.

Paying and tipping

French bars typically operate on tab system where you order throughout the evening and pay when leaving, though some require immediate payment per round. Request the bill by saying:

🇫🇷 FR — L’addition, s’il vous plaît. /ladisјɔ̃, sil vu plɛ/
🇺🇸 EN — The bill, please.

Tipping: Service charge is included in prices (service compris), so tipping isn’t obligatory like in the US. However, leaving small change or rounding up the bill shows appreciation for good service. For example, if the bill is €18, leaving €20 is customary but not required. Never tip 15-20% American-style—considered excessive and awkward in France.

Toasting — “Santé!” vs “Tchin-tchin!”

When toasting, make eye contact with each person, clink glasses gently, and say:

🇫🇷 FR — Santé ! /sɑ̃te/
🇺🇸 EN — Cheers! (literally: Health!)

🇫🇷 FR — À la vôtre ! / À la tienne ! /a la votʁ / a la tjɛn/
🇺🇸 EN — To yours! (formal / informal)

Important superstition: Always make eye contact when clinking glasses—avoiding eye contact supposedly brings seven years of bad sex, a superstition taken seriously in France. Don’t cross arms with others when toasting (creates bad luck). When toasting with water, some French people refuse or make exaggerated faces—old superstition associates it with wishing death.

⚠️ “Tchin-tchin” warning: While commonly used in France as informal toast (imitating glass clinking sound), be aware “tchin-tchin” sounds identical to Japanese slang for penis. This creates awkward moments when French tourists toast loudly in Japanese restaurants. Stick with “Santé” for universal appropriateness.

Beer in France — ordering “une bière”

Draft vs bottled beer

🇫🇷 FR — Une bière pression /yn bjɛʁ pʁɛsjɔ̃/
🇺🇸 EN — A draft beer (more common in bars)

🇫🇷 FR — Une bière en bouteille /yn bjɛʁ ɑ̃ butɛj/
🇺🇸 EN — A bottled beer

Beer sizes

Un demi: 25cl glass (most common order) — “Je voudrais un demi, s’il vous plaît”

Une pinte: 50cl glass (equivalent to US pint)

Un demi-pression: Specifies draft beer in standard 25cl size

Popular French beers

Mass-market brands: Kronenbourg 1664, Heineken (Dutch but ubiquitous), Desperados (tequila-flavored beer)

Regional craft beers: France’s craft beer scene has exploded recently, with excellent regional breweries worth exploring. Ask “Vous avez des bières artisanales ?” (Do you have craft beers?)

French wines by region

Ordering wine — basic categories

🇫🇷 FR — Un verre de vin rouge / blanc / rosé /œ̃ vɛʁ də vɛ̃ ʁuʒ / blɑ̃ / ʁoze/
🇺🇸 EN — A glass of red / white / rosé wine

🇫🇷 FR — Une bouteille de vin /yn butɛj də vɛ̃/
🇺🇸 EN — A bottle of wine

🇫🇷 FR — Un pichet de vin /œ̃ piʃɛ də vɛ̃/
🇺🇸 EN — A carafe/pitcher of wine (usually house wine in 25cl or 50cl)

Major French wine regions and their specialties

Bordeaux (Sud-Ouest)

Region: Southwestern France, around Bordeaux city

Famous for: Full-bodied red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends

Notable appellations: Médoc, Pauillac, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Sauternes (sweet white)

Order: “Un verre de bordeaux rouge” for classic French red wine experience

Characteristics: Complex, tannic reds that age beautifully; prestigious and often expensive

Bourgogne / Burgundy (Est)

Region: Eastern France, between Dijon and Lyon

Famous for: Pinot Noir reds and Chardonnay whites from small, prestigious vineyards

Notable appellations: Chablis, Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet

Order: “Un verre de bourgogne” (specify rouge or blanc)

Characteristics: Elegant, terroir-driven wines; Burgundy reds lighter than Bordeaux but intensely aromatic

Champagne (Nord-Est)

Region: Northeastern France, around Reims and Épernay

Famous for: Sparkling wine made by méthode champenoise

Notable houses: Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon, Taittinger, Bollinger

Order: “Une coupe de champagne” or “Un verre de champagne”

Characteristics: Only sparkling wine from Champagne region can legally be called “champagne”; celebrations, apéritifs, prestigious occasions

Vallée du Rhône / Rhône Valley (Sud-Est)

Region: Southeastern France, along Rhône river from Lyon to Avignon

Famous for: Robust red wines from Syrah and Grenache grapes

Notable appellations: Côtes du Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Hermitage, Gigondas

Order: “Un Côtes du Rhône” for excellent value everyday red

Characteristics: Full-bodied, spicy reds; excellent quality-to-price ratio

Alsace (Nord-Est)

Region: Northeastern France, bordering Germany

Famous for: Aromatic white wines: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris

Order: “Un verre de riesling d’Alsace” or “Un gewurztraminer”

Characteristics: Germanic influence; floral, fruity whites ranging from dry to sweet; distinctive tall green bottles

Loire Valley (Ouest)

Region: Western France, along Loire river

Famous for: Diverse wines including Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc), Muscadet, Chinon reds

Notable appellations: Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Vouvray, Muscadet

Order: “Un verre de sancerre” for crisp, refreshing white

Characteristics: Crisp whites, light reds, ranging from bone-dry to sweet

Provence (Sud-Est)

Region: Southeastern Mediterranean coast

Famous for: Pale rosé wines dominating summer consumption

Order: “Un verre de rosé de Provence” especially in summer

Characteristics: Light, refreshing, pale pink rosé perfect for hot weather; Provence produces 40% of French rosé

💡 House wine strategy: Ordering “un pichet de vin rouge/blanc de la maison” (house wine carafe) provides excellent value in casual bars and bistros. House wines are typically decent regional selections offered affordably. Save expensive bottle orders for special occasions or wine-focused establishments.

Regional apéritifs and spirits

Pastis (Sud / South of France)

Region: Provence, Mediterranean coast

Type: Anise-flavored spirit (45% alcohol)

Famous brands: Ricard, Pastis 51, Pernod

How to order: “Un pastis, s’il vous plaît”

How it’s served: Small amount of pastis with separate pitcher of cold water and ice. You dilute it yourself (typically 5 parts water to 1 part pastis), watching it turn cloudy (called “louche”). Never add water before ice—causes cloudiness to form incorrectly.

Cultural significance: Quintessential southern French apéritif, especially popular in Marseille. Drinking pastis while playing pétanque epitomizes southern French leisure culture. Often served with small snacks (olives, anchovies, tapenade).

Pronunciation tip: Silent ‘s’ at end — /pastis/ not “pastiss”

Calvados (Normandie / Normandy)

Region: Normandy, northwestern France

Type: Apple brandy (40%+ alcohol), distilled from cider

How to order: “Un calvados” or “Un calva” (informal)

How it’s served: Small glass, neat, as digestif after meals

Cultural significance: Norman tradition of “trou normand” (Norman hole)—drinking calvados between heavy meal courses to “make room” for more food. Also consumed as warming winter drink.

Aging: Like cognac, calvados improves with age (VS, VSOP, XO classifications)

Cognac (Charente, Sud-Ouest)

Region: Charente region, southwestern France around Cognac town

Type: Grape brandy (40% alcohol), double-distilled

Famous houses: Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Courvoisier, Martell

How to order: “Un cognac” — specify VS (young), VSOP (medium age), or XO (extra old) if you prefer

How it’s served: Snifter glass, neat, room temperature

Cultural significance: Premium after-dinner digestif; associated with luxury and sophistication

Armagnac (Gascogne, Sud-Ouest)

Region: Gascony, southwestern France

Type: Grape brandy similar to cognac but single-distilled, older tradition

How to order: “Un armagnac”

Characteristics: More rustic, robust flavor than cognac; less internationally famous but equally prestigious in France; often considered cognac’s artisanal cousin

Kir (Bourgogne / Burgundy)

Region: Burgundy, but popular nationwide

Type: Cocktail of white wine and crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur)

Variants: Kir Royal (champagne replaces white wine)

How to order: “Un kir” or “Un kir royal”

How it’s served: White wine glass, pale pink color

Cultural significance: Classic apéritif, especially popular with older generation; named after Félix Kir, former mayor of Dijon who popularized the drink

Génépi (Alpes / Alps)

Region: French Alps (Savoie, Haute-Savoie)

Type: Herbal liqueur made from génépi plant (Alpine wormwood), 40-50% alcohol

How to order: “Un génépi”

How it’s served: Small glass, neat, often as digestif after mountain meals

Cultural significance: Traditional Alpine digestif, believed to aid digestion after heavy raclette or fondue; intense herbal, slightly bitter flavor

Chartreuse (Alpes)

Region: Chartreuse mountains near Grenoble

Type: Herbal liqueur made by Carthusian monks, secret 130-herb recipe

Variants: Green Chartreuse (55% alcohol, more intense) and Yellow Chartreuse (40% alcohol, sweeter)

How to order: “Une chartreuse verte” or “Une chartreuse jaune”

Cultural significance: One of few authentic monastic liqueurs still produced by monks; mysterious recipe known only to two monks at any time

Pommeau (Normandie / Bretagne)

Region: Normandy and Brittany

Type: Blend of apple juice and calvados (16-18% alcohol)

How to order: “Un pommeau”

How it’s served: Chilled, as apéritif

Characteristics: Sweet, fruity, less intense than straight calvados; excellent introduction to Norman apple spirits

Common cocktails and mixed drinks

🇫🇷 FR — Un mojito /œ̃ mɔχito/
Details: Cuban classic popular in French bars, especially summer

🇫🇷 FR — Un gin tonic /œ̃ dʒin tɔnik/
Details: Standard gin and tonic

🇫🇷 FR — Un Monaco /œ̃ mɔnako/
Details: Beer mixed with grenadine syrup (lemonade in some regions)—popular refreshing drink

🇫🇷 FR — Un Panaché /œ̃ panaʃe/
Details: Beer mixed with lemonade (shandy)—lighter, refreshing option

🇫🇷 FR — Un Ti-punch /œ̃ ti pɔ̃ʃ/
Details: Rum, lime, cane sugar—classic from French Caribbean territories

Non-alcoholic options

French bars accommodate non-drinkers without judgment, though selection may be limited compared to alcoholic options:

🇫🇷 FR — Un café /œ̃ kafe/
🇺🇸 EN — An espresso (default coffee in France)

🇫🇷 FR — Un Perrier / Une eau gazeuse /œ̃ pɛʁje / yn o ɡazøz/
🇺🇸 EN — Sparkling water (Perrier is brand name but used generically)

🇫🇷 FR — Un coca / Un Coca-Cola /œ̃ kɔka / œ̃ kɔkakɔla/
🇺🇸 EN — A Coke

🇫🇷 FR — Un jus d’orange /œ̃ ʒy dɔʁɑ̃ʒ/
🇺🇸 EN — An orange juice

🇫🇷 FR — Un diabolo menthe /œ̃ djabɔlo mɑ̃t/
🇺🇸 EN — Lemonade with mint syrup (popular non-alcoholic drink)

🇫🇷 FR — Un virgin mojito /œ̃ viʁdʒin mɔχito/
🇺🇸 EN — Mojito without alcohol

Declining alcohol politely

If you don’t drink alcohol or want to pace yourself, use these phrases without offending hosts:

🇫🇷 FR — Non merci, je ne bois pas d’alcool. /nɔ̃ mɛʁsi, ʒə nə bwa pa dalkɔl/
🇺🇸 EN — No thank you, I don’t drink alcohol.

🇫🇷 FR — Je conduis ce soir. /ʒə kɔ̃dɥi sə swaʁ/
🇺🇸 EN — I’m driving tonight. (universally accepted excuse)

🇫🇷 FR — Juste un verre pour moi, merci. /ʒyst œ̃ vɛʁ puʁ mwa, mɛʁsi/
🇺🇸 EN — Just one glass for me, thanks.

Study glossary — drinks and bar vocabulary

FR	IPA	EN
Un bar / Un café	/œ̃ baʁ / œ̃ kafe/	A bar / A café
Un verre	/œ̃ vɛʁ/	A glass / a drink
Une boisson	/yn bwasɔ̃/	A beverage / drink
L’apéritif / L’apéro	/lapeʁitif / lapeʁo/	Pre-dinner drink
Le digestif	/lə diʒɛstif/	After-dinner drink
Une bière pression	/yn bjɛʁ pʁɛsjɔ̃/	A draft beer
Un demi	/œ̃ dəmi/	A small beer (25cl)
Une pinte	/yn pɛ̃t/	A pint
Le vin rouge / blanc / rosé	/lə vɛ̃ ʁuʒ / blɑ̃ / ʁoze/	Red / white / rosé wine
Un vigneron / Une vigneronne	/œ̃ viɲəʁɔ̃ / yn viɲəʁɔn/	A winemaker
Le terroir	/lə tɛʁwaʁ/	The unique characteristics of place (soil, climate) affecting wine
Trinquer	/tʁɛ̃ke/	To toast / clink glasses
Santé !	/sɑ̃te/	Cheers! (Health!)
L’addition	/ladisјɔ̃/	The bill / check
Le pourboire	/lə puʁbwaʁ/	The tip
Alcoolisé(e)	/alkɔlize/	Alcoholic
Sans alcool	/sɑ̃z‿alkɔl/	Non-alcoholic

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