Harry's New York Bar, Paris

Tucked away in the heart of Paris, Harry's New York Bar is a slice of the Big Apple's history embedded in the City of Light. This iconic establishment, located at 5 Rue Daunou, has been serving patrons since its doors opened in 1911. The bar is renowned for its classic cocktails and as a gathering spot for expatriates and literary figures, including the likes of Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The bar's interior exudes an old-world charm with its wood-paneled walls and vintage furnishings, transporting visitors back to the early 20th century. Harry's New York Bar is credited with the creation of classic cocktails such as the Bloody Mary and the Sidecar, making it a pilgrimage site for cocktail enthusiasts. Its signature drink, the White Lady, remains a favorite among patrons.

The bar's founder, Harry MacElhone, originally from Dundee, Scotland, purchased the bar from a former American jockey. He kept the original New York Bar sign, adding only "Harry's" to the name, thus creating an institution that has withstood the test of time. The bar also boasts the claim of being the first cocktail bar in Europe.

In addition to its rich cocktail history, Harry's New York Bar is famous for its "Iowa Picnic" events and the quirky tradition of straw voting, where American expatriates and tourists have conducted informal presidential polls since 1924 – often with surprising accuracy.