Bar Hemingway: Where Writers Drank Stars

On August 25, 1944, Ernest Hemingway showed up with a machine gun demanding to "liberate" the Ritz. He ordered 51 dry martinis. Today the bar named for him serves champagne where Fitzgerald discovered Paris.

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1 Enter Through the Back Adventure · Free

   Bar Hemingway is at the back of the Ritz, not the main Place Vendome entrance. Enter at 38 Rue Cambon. On August 25, 1944, Hemingway arrived in a Jeep mounted with a machine gun, demanding to "liberate" the bar. The manager said: "I cannot let you enter with a weapon." He left the gun in the Jeep. Dress code: smart casual.

   Backup: If full, wait at the lobby bar and ask to be called when a spot opens.

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2. 2 Order the Liberation Champagne Wine · Price: very high

   Ask for champagne by the glass (from €25) - the bar stocks excellent grower champagnes and grand marques. According to legend, Hemingway ran up a tab for 51 dry martinis that night. His Resistance fighters cleaned their weapons in this room while drinking.

   Backup: If champagne budget is tight, order a classic cocktail (€30) - the bartenders are world-class.

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3. 3 Find the Hemingway Memorabilia History · Free

   The walls are covered with Hemingway photos, hunting trophies, and signed documents. His brother Leicester wrote that Hemingway searched the cellar and roof for Germans, finding "an excellent stock of brandy" and riddling sheets on the roof with bullets "just in case." Find the typewriter.

   Backup: Ask the bartender for stories - they know the history cold.

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