# Polly Maggoo

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polly-maggoo/26247>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 20, 2000, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polly-maggoo/26247 "2000-07-20T15:09:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![galen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecc23a/32.png) [@galen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2000, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polly-maggoo/26247/1 "2000-07-20T15:09:10Z")

</div>

There was a bar in Paris named Polly Maggoo which I frequented during my travels from the mid-70’s to the mid-80’s. It was located in the Latin Quarter on the Rue St. Severin (No. 57, I think)across the street from a church of the same name (St Severin, that is) and a couple of blocks from Notre Dame. It was frequented by student types, African expatriates, and travelers like me. It was open till 4 a.m. and was filled with lively conversation, usually of a political nature. Does anyone know if it still exists?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2000, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polly-maggoo/26247/2 "2000-07-20T19:13:10Z")

</div>

As of Oct. 1999, there was such a place, but on a different street, if this site is to be believed: [http://www.metropoleparis.com/1999/444/444yanks.html](http://www.metropoleparis.com/1999/444/444yanks.html)

> [@](#):
>
> in the Rue Saint-Jacques I go into Polly Maggoo’s to ask if it is an ‘American’ bar.
> 
> The answer is, “There are no bars ‘Americain’ in Paris; only French!” Hmm, well, yes - this Polly Maggoo’s looks like a real dive anyhow, with the whole building above it appearing to be condemned.

Sounds like heaven on earth.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2000, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polly-maggoo/26247/3 "2000-07-21T00:22:26Z")

</div>

FWIW, there is a bar named Polly Magoo in my original hometown, Tilburg (NL) as well. No idea who it is. Maybe a WEBSEARCH might help? Huh? Ya think?

😉

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![galen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecc23a/32.png) [@galen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2000, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polly-maggoo/26247/4 "2000-07-21T13:16:45Z")

</div>

Yes! It was on the Rue Staint Jacques. And definitely not an “American” bar. I had heard that such places did exist, but never went to one. I could have stayed home and done that.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![galen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecc23a/32.png) [@galen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2000, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polly-maggoo/26247/5 "2000-07-21T13:23:53Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by bibliophage \*  
> \*\*As of Oct. 1999, there was such a place, but on a different street, if this site is to be believed: [http://www.metropoleparis.com/1999/444/444yanks.html](http://www.metropoleparis.com/1999/444/444yanks.html)
> 
> > [@](#):
> >
> > in the Rue Saint-Jacques I go into Polly Maggoo’s to ask if it is an ‘American’ bar.
> > 
> > The answer is, “There are no bars ‘Americain’ in Paris; only French!” Hmm, well, yes - this Polly Maggoo’s looks like a real dive anyhow, with the whole building above it appearing to be condemned.
> 
> Sounds like heaven on earth.  
> \*\*

A dive it is. It has one of those toilets which is merely a porcelained hole in the floor.