Willi's Wine Bar Paris | Since 1980

Our story begins a long, long time ago — in the Rolodex age. It was a time when wine bars in Paris were an unheard of prospect, and Rhône wines were deeply unfashionable.

Mark Williamson, with a fondness for Rhône and a talent to annoy, quite rightly decided enough was enough.

He opened Willi’s Wine Bar in the heart of Paris and 1980, and ever since, much to general astonishment and much oh là là-ing, the establishment has been going strong. We serve frequently interesting, sometimes obscure, invariably gorgeous wines. We serve food for lunch and dinner that is bistro with a twist, made with devotion by the admirable Adama. We do private dining and parties when you fancy it. We make bottle art every year : original posters that are an ode to wine and the vine and the art de vivre that goes with.

But mainly we have fun, and we hope you will too.

BUT WHO IS WILLI ?

Regardless of what you may have heard, WILLI was a dog. A beloved pure-breed party animal with a nose for mischief. When not involved in interminable bridge evenings with Omar Sharif and Colette, to whom we owe his nom de plume, he was to be found sniffing about in the Jardin du Palais Royal, only melting unseen into the tulips when approached by Jean Cocteau. This gentleman, in a rare lack of taste, was invariably accompanied by a cat. Willi’s life, well lived, ended in Champagne, which is what we drink to his health, every year on the 13th of October. His tomb lies below the gas-meter to the left of the front door. These days you are likely to meet JAJA in the bar or out and about. Rumour has it he is Willi’s great great grand-spawn. But who is to know ? Willi — of course — never admitted to the slightest indiscretion.

AND WE’RE ON INSTAGRAM TOO !

@williswinebarparis #PINYOURPOSTER