Bivalves and bougie drinks are the focus of this bar, where you can hob-knob with Parisians in the fashionable Marais district.

Arrive early to grab a spot at the U-shaped bar. Wait an hour. And then watch as locals pour in through the door and Mary Celeste comes to life in a blink of an eye. This famed oyster and cocktail bar in the 3rd arrondissement is all at once classy, cool, with great vibes, and comfortable enough to park for a spell.

In the summer, the windows are opened wide and guests jockey for the limited terrace seating outside. During the winter months, Parisians huddle elbow to elbow in the warm and slightly dark space, music drowning out nearby conversations.

Personally, I enjoy a cocktail bar that doesn't seem to have any particular age group to distinguish it. You'll find twenty-year-olds parked next to seniors, as the bartenders mix up specialty drinks or serve natural wines.

In the photo to the right, you can see there is a central bar which dominates the space. Sitting there is a treat as you get a front-row view of the staff shucking fresh oysters and crafting specialty cocktails. The stools line the u-shaped edge and larger tables finish off the space.

The restaurant was named after the famous ghost ship, the Mary Celeste. It was an American merchant brigantine discovered adrift and deserted in the Atlantic Ocean off the Azores Islands on December 4, 1872. The Canadian brigantine Dei Gratia found her in a disheveled but seaworthy condition under partial sail and with her lifeboat missing.

The last entry in her log was dated ten days earlier. She had left New York City for Genoa on November 7 and was still amply provisioned when found. Her cargo of denatured alcohol was intact, and the captain's and crew's personal belongings were undisturbed. None of those who had been on board were ever seen or heard from again.

The decor hints at this theme with white-washed wood and pastel blues. The menu rotates frequently and aside from the drinks, there is a short but rather inspired small plates feature.

“Mary Celeste opens earlier than the typical Parisian bars - 6 PM. Arrive early for the best seats or be prepared for a wait.”

Currently on the menu are treats such as Jerusalem artichokes, black tahini, fermented radishes, with rice leaf. Or smoked pencil leeks, coconut leche, watercress, and tiger lemon. For the bigger appetite, lamb confit, Roscoff onion puree, padrón pepper, and boquerones.

We tried the deviled eggs, which is a regular on the menu. This recipe has become increasingly popular in Paris and this particular variation had a more creamy, loose custard filling and the egg whites were marinated in soy, giving it an Asian flair.

For drinks, we opted for two experiences: the wine list vs the cocktail. Sam chose the LMC SPRITZ (10€) with Lillet blanc, blanche de Normandie Christian Drouin, cardamom bitter, and Fever Tree tonic. And I chose the Champagne Brut Nature — (13€) pinot meunier, Hugues de la Bourdonnaye.

As we sipped and nibbled, I found the bar to be that perfect mix of people and vibe - you can come as you are (heading out and dressed up, casual and as you are, right off of work, or right off the plane). And perhaps I am a bit odd, but for me, part of the experience at a place like this is the restrooms. And while there is only one, it is clean, neat, spacious, and even offers feminine products for free.