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 Nightlife : Dance Clubs
Not only is Paris the city of light, but of sound, music, dance, and revelry. In fact, most any big-city diversion you could conceive of is available in France’s capital. Relaxed bar-cafes, high-tech dance clubs, and mellow jazz haunts fit your mood like a well-worn glove, promising good times in any format. Cabaret venues deliver a dose of vibrant entertainment, and pubs prove to be more than just the domain of the British Isles. Progressive Paris also promises a wealth of nighttime opportunities for gay men and women, mostly in the Marais neighborhood. Trend-setting is a regular pastime for young club-goers along rue Oberkampf, and the Bastille area courts folks intent on an evening of fun. If money’s not an issue, the Champs-Elysées features plenty of high-priced places and attracts lots of tourists. Buddha Bar, with its signature Asian icon, is great for people-watching, and La Flèche d'Or boasts terrific live music and alternative ambience. If you simply want to dance, Paris’s top choice is Queen, nominally a gay venue but one of the city’s best (and most packed) places to groove and be beautiful, no matter your inclinations.
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46 Rue du Faubourg St Antoine, Paris 75011 • 01 55 78 84 75
Description: 11ème ARRONDISSEMENT. For the early birds: The Barrio Latino closes at 2am, but offers a lot of bang for your buck. This is one of the friendlier joints in Paris – the city that bites back. Wrought-iron ceilings and velvet sofas greet an eclectic mix from students to office workers. Those who simply came for a drink may find themselves drawn onto the dance floor by its relaxed atmosphere. METRO: Bastille
facing 11, quai Francois Mauriac, Paris 75013 • 09 71 25 50 61
Description: 13ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Add a little novelty to your nighttime pursuits at this funky club, which is set on a red lighthouse ship moored on the Seine. Trance, house and techno tunes are spun by international DJs into early hours, while in the evening patrons are treated to varied selection of live bands as well. The dance floor gets lots of action down below, and several bars, including one on the quayside in summer, take care of liquid refreshment. However, great music draws great crowds, especially on weekends, so be prepared for a wait. METRO: Quai de la Gare (line 6), Bibliothèque F. Mitterrand (line 14)
6, rue Pierre Fontaine, Paris 75009 • 01 45 26 80 35
Description: 9ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Formerly THE place of yéyé music... this place is as vibe-worthy and stylish as it at ever was. This trendy dance club in the heart of Pigalle spins to a range of musical styles (disco, rap, R&B, soul, funk). It's a great place to people-watch. METRO: Blanche (line 2), Pigalle (lines 2, 12), or Saint Georges (line 12)
72, bd Rochechouart, Paris 75018 • 08 92 69 23 92
Description: 18ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Add a little spice to your life by visiting Elysée Montmartre and experiencing one of their live music shows! The place is beautiful, at human scale, located in a building from the 19th century. From salsa to reggae nights, the club offers top music events, and crowds are always vivacious. You'll even get the chance to see new bands in the making or confirm your fondness for popular French bands who frequent the stage. METRO: Anvers (line 2)
18-20, rue de la Forge-Royale, Paris 75011 • 01 43 71 04 39
Description: 11ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This chic bar always plays the hottest music in a trendy environment. Cushions everywhere: orange, brown and violet tones; it feels like being in 1001 Nights! It attracts mostly a young crowd and is always bursting with energy. It's definitely not the place to go if you want to relax with a drink and some quiet conversation. An unforgettable experience! Traditional Moroccan food is served in the restaurant. METRO: Ledru-Rollin, Faidherbe-Chaligny (line 8)
75, rue des Martyrs, Paris 75018 • 01 40 05 06 99
Description: 18ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Le Div (formerly Divan Japonais) continues to be popular with the young and hip, and it's great for those wanting to dance to the hottest recent hits. Performances range from rock to jazz and feature artists from France as well as from other parts of the world. Monday nights are always free, and regular concerts draw mixed crowds but are perennially lively. Ideal to see a concert in an intimate atmosphere, and then party at the club. METRO: Pigalle (line 2, 12)
102, av des Champs-Elysées, Paris 75008 • 01 45 63 16 87
Description: 8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Although it's not as strictly gay-only as when it premiered, this grande dame of Paris dance clubs maintains its legendary status as one of the city's top places to groove and be seen. The fantastic venue attracts hordes of gay men, along with celebrities and folks from creative fields. While dancing is always in fashion, other regular events include drag and strip shows and varied theme nights. Go late, and be prepared for crowds – with no air-conditioning, just like in most Parisian clubs METRO: Georges V
7, rue du Bourg-l'Abbé, Paris 75003 • 01 53 01 40 60
Description: 3ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Totally renovated and equipped with top sound quality, this hip, late-night dance club – which occupies space formerly devoted to Turkish baths – draws fashion models, Hollywood glitterati and international trendsetters. Great house, rock, and disco music typically set the scene, but you'll also hear R&B, soul and other genres. To ensure that you get past the chi-chi bouncers, grab dinner in the Thai restaurant upstairs (open Wed-Sun). A Parisian treat. METRO: Etienne Marcel (line 4)
5, bd Poissonnière Bonne-Nouvelle, Paris 75002 • 01 42 36 10 96
Description: 2ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This Parisian dance factory always draws a crowd, just as it's been doing since the mid-1980s. Thanks to a host of top DJs (Laurent Garnier, Carl Cox) and a terrific sound system, patrons can expect to be inundated by thumping house and techno sounds. Depending on who's spinning, you might also catch reggae, funk, rock and even world tunes. Don't be surprised to find long lines for admittance. METRO: Bonne-Nouvelle (line 8 or 9)
32-34, rue Marbeuf, Paris 75008 • 01 56 88 36 36
Description: 8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Having three celebrity owners (Johnny Depp, John Malkovich and Sean Penn) certainly helps maintain the buzz at this frequently-changing club, no matter what the current incarnation. Attractive patrons nibble on Mediterranean fare while nursing well-mixed cocktails in a fantastic atmosphere with modern white decor punctuated by splashes of colored light. DJs and the occasional live act keep the music (and the clientele) grooving. METRO: Franklin D. Roosevelt (Lines 1, 9)