When the Brasserie de l'Ile St Louis (55 quai Bourbon, 75004) runs out of terrace tables -- which happens often in nice weather -- the waiters have been known to sell … take-out beer in plastic cups. Walk down a set of steps to the banks of the Seine, where you can snag a bench or sit on the stone walkway with a peaceful view of Hôtel de Ville and the river. [link]

These big public grounds near the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arrondissement makes a nice gathering place for a bout of public drinking with friends. The Eiffel Tower … sparkles nightly during the first 10 minutes of every hour, a gesture conceived to make the famous monument look like a giant bubbling bottle of Champagne. [link]

The vast open esplanade of the Invalides is like a giant communal lawn that offers a striking view of the shining gold dome. Perfectly flat, the esplanade is a popular … spot for frisbee and soccer games, sunbathing, and public drinking. [link]

Raise a glass on a long summer evening at the Parc des Buttes Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement, one of Paris' most picturesque green spaces, with undulating hills, … trees, and a little lake. [link]

The banks of the Canal Saint-Martin have become homeless central in recent months, as the city's down-and-out have pitched their pop-up tents along the canal in … impressive numbers. Nevertheless, this hip formerly industrial part of town is a great place to stroll, rollerblade, hang out, or hit the sauce. [link]

The oldest square in Paris and former home of Victor Hugo closes at sundown. But the green grass of the Place des Vosges makes a cozy spot for an afternoon picnic … -- surrounded by children playing in the sandbox and teenagers making out in the grass -- or an early evening apéritif. Let the tourists sip their overpriced cocktails in the cafes under the arches while you get sloppy lying barefoot in the grass. [link]

This footbridge bridge near the Louvre is a lovely perch to contemplate key Paris monuments, including the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. But beware, as it has also become … a popular site for expatriate cocktail parties. [link]