Harry's Bar Rules

Bar Rules 

After a viewing of the Christmas display at Pari’ Galeries Lafayette grand marche and a stop at the beautiful ornate Opera, my date and I took a stroll down Avenue de l’Opéra to “Sank Roo Doe Noo” to experience the legendary Parisian landmark, Harry’s New York Bar  (1911). Enjoying the mid-day cocktail and reading the bar menu with “Bar Rules”, I realized to myself we should all know the bar rules, so I share them with you. The IBF stands for “International Bar Fly”. 

            “Aside note” - on the US Presidential Election. The bar has polled US citizens since 1924 and, with  the exception of 1976 and 2004, it has correctly called the election of the US President. If interested you can check the status and call them at +33 1 4261 71 14. 

Curious as they may be, these rules from Paris’s first cocktail bar, 1911, Harry’s New York Bar, do serve as a poignant reminder of the essential practices one should approach drinking & socializing. So take heed as you read over these rules, harken to the words and enjoy the festivities.

Harry’s New York Bar, Paris

1. The IBF is a secret and sacred fraternal organization devoted to the up life and downfall of serious drinkers.

2. Members must buy if not at the moment Sometime. What is a decade among friends.

3. Any members of the IBF caught cutting out paper dolls after a  bad night must hand in their resignations.

4. Those that come to the Trap at 5 A. M. and are able to play a ukulele without rehearsal are eligible for life membership.

5. Members bumping their chin on the bar rail in the act of falling are suspended for ten days.

6. Members who have the idea they can wallop Dempsey are notified that there is a plastic surgeon on duty night and day close to the traps.

7. Those seeking cerise cats with purple ears should keep it to themselves. Traps are not zoological gardens.

8. Those sniffling about “the best little women in the world” and starving for another round must pay for it.

9. Remember, nothing is on the house but the roof.

10. Those who decide drinking is a menace are welcome at all times but should just keep quiet.

11. And remember that there are a lot of boys in the rear who might want something.

12. Backslappin after six drinks to be tempered with mercy remember, IBF’s have false teeth.

13. Any members breaking any of the above rule will be penalized drinks to all IBF’s present.

Harry’s New York Bar Paris describes itself as creator of a few of the following – Bloody Mary (1921), Side Car (’31), James Bond (’62), & French 75 (‘ 25).

So fix one of these historic cocktails, sit back, and read the rules once more. 

Harry’s New York Bar, Harry’s Bar, Harry’s, International Bar Flies, Barfly, Sank Roo Doe Noo.     Are registered trademarks of Harry’s New York Bar Paris

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