MARCO POLO Paris

WHERE TO START?

Paris nightlife has been rampaging around the Métro station Bastille (M 1, 5, 8), particularly in the Rue de Lappe, for some time. Those with more diverse tastes can venture further northeast to the Canal Saint-Martin (M 5, 9 Oberkampf), a popular spot for picnics in the evenings, or even further afield to Belleville (M 2, 11 Belleville), a former working-class district which is currently very trendy. The more conventional crowd will feel more at ease in the traditional district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés (M 4 Saint-Germain-des Près).

Parisian nightlife is legendary and thousands of tourists and Parisians alike are out to catch a glimpse of that unique Parisian flair during the evening and into the early hours.

Whatever is currently considered trendy changes very quickly in Paris. As soon as a district has been discovered by tourists, the Parisian night scene moves elsewhere. The tendency is to migrate further east, where a pub scene has established in the area around the still-affordable artists’ flats. Another district that has been branché (hip) for some time is Butte-aux-Cailles near the Place d’Italie with its large number of pubs and relatively reasonable prices.

Pleasure-seekers should be aware that public transit operates only until 1am (until 2.15am on Sat), and would be wise to consider other return trip options such as night buses, a taxi, or even the first Métro the next morning. Going out for a night on the town in Paris requires proper preparation, especially to nightclubs and discotheques. Anyone who is not elegantly clad or has an original sense of style has virtually no chance of getting past the unrelenting bouncers. Anyone who hopes to find dance clubs in old warehouses will be disappointed – nearly everything that is cutting-edge is also exclusive. It is also important to budget appropriately: Paris nightlife is expensive. Cover charges for clubs and discos – depending on the establishment, day of the week and event – can cost between 7 and 20 euros. Incidentally, many locales are closed for the month of August.

	Barrio Latino
	Three levels for drinking, flirting and dancing

BARS

L’APPAREMMENT CAFÉ

Low sofas and chairs in the 1930s style, wood-panelled walls, a library and board games, cocktails and delicious food. Daily | 18, rue Coutures Saint-Gervais | 3rd arr. | tel. 01 48 87 12 22 | M 8: Saint-Sébastien-Froissart

BARRIO LATINO

The structure built by Gustave Eiffel is a favourite Parisian entertainment locale. Three storeys with iron balconies surrounding a central atrium with beautiful bar counters. Sofas, Latin music, drinks (good mojitos), tapas and salsa. Daily | 46–48, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine | 12th arr. | tel. 01 55 78 84 75 | M 8: Ledru-Rollin, M 1, 5, 8: Bastille | www.buddhabar.com

BUDDHA BAR

LE CAFÉ

Very hip café with large mirrors on the walls. The eclectic crowd makes for a relaxing atmosphere. Daily until 2am | 62, rue Tiquetonne | 1st arr. | tel. 01 40 39 08 00 | M/RER: Châtelet-Les Halles

CAFÉ BEAUBOURG

Stylish bar directly opposite the Centre Pompidou. Frequented by tourists as well as young Parisians. Beautiful terrace, delicious brunch. Sun–Wed 8am–1am, Thu–Sat 8am–2pm | 43, rue Saint-Merri | 4th arr. | tel. 01 48 87 63 96 | M/RER: Châtelet-Les Halles

CAFÉ CHARBON

The former coal merchant business and its early 19th-century furnishings have become a Parisian institution. Always full, slow service, but great atmosphere. Small terrace. Daily (Thu–Sat until 4am) | 109, rue Oberkampf | 11th arr. | tel. 01 43 57 55 13 | M 3: Parmentier

CLOSERIE DES LILAS

Bar scene hotspot: Brasilian food, good caipirinhas, Latin American rhythms, occasional concerts. Superb atmosphere, always full, sometimes overcrowded. Tue–Sat (Fri/Sat until 4am) | 18, rue du Faubourg du Temple | 11th arr. | tel. 01 40 21 38 14 | M 3, 5, 8, 9, 11: Republique | www.favelachic.com/paris

LE FUMOIR

Elegant yet very relaxed bar in neo-Colonial style: old time jazz, mahogany interior, a library and good beverages close to the Louvre. With restaurant. Daily | 6, rue de l’Amiral de Coligny | 1st arr. | tel. 01 42 92 00 24 | M 1: Louvre-Rivoli | www.lefumoir.com

BAR DES MURANO RESORT

LA PERLE

Super popular and always jam-packed despite being extended. It is nearly impossible to find a place to sit. This is the place to be seen if you’re anybody – or think you are. Sun–Fri 6am–2am, Sat 8am–2am | 78, rue Vieille-du-Temple | 3rd arr. | tel. 01 42 72 69 93 | M 8: Chemin-Vert

Guinguette (open-air café) and trendy bar in the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont with tapas and cocktails, not to mention the most gorgeous sunset in Paris. Wed–Sun until midnight | 2, av. de la Cascade | 19th arr. | Entrance after 8pm: large gate opposite 74, rue Botzaris | tel. 01 42 03 28 67 | M 7 bis: Botzaris | www.rosabonheur.fr

CLUBS & DISCOS

LES BAINS DOUCHES

Housed in a former hamam, the elegant club has been the meeting place for the beautiful and famous since the end of the 1970s. Small dance floor. The restaurant on the first floor serves Thai cuisine. Bar open until 6am. Mon–Sat | 7, rue du Bourg-L’Abbé | 3rd arr. | tel. 01 53 01 40 60 | M 4: Etienne-Marcel

LE BALAJO

Paris’ long-time salsa temple situated in the Bastille entertainment centre. If you’re game, take a

OPA

Bar, club and concert venue. The brick lofts feature rock, funk and House Music. Concerts take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but on weekends club goers can dance until the break of dawn. Thu–Sun 8pm–2am, Fri/Sat 9am–6am | 9, rue Biscornet | 12th arr. | tel. 01 46 28 12 90 | M 1, 5, 8: Bastille | www.opa-paris.com

LE BATOFAR

The red barge in front of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France is one of the most popular meeting places in Paris. Experimental music, techno: very branché. Terrace on the deck. Quite affordable. Tue, Thu–Sat| 11, quai Francois-Mauriac | 13th arr. | tel. 01 53 60 17 30 | M 6: quai de la Gare | www.batofar.org

Incomparable restaurant, bar and club with great atmosphere. Simple lounge and a wooden hut reminiscent of a trendy New York bar. Cool and exclusive, strict bouncers. The dance floor is lit up like a runway. Mon–Sat | 2, pl. du Palais Royal | 1st arr. | tel. 01 58 62 56 25 | M 1, 7: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre | www.cabaret.fr

LA CASBAH

This popular disco will transport you into the era of the Arabian Nights. Occasional belly dancing performances. Has a club (11pm–5am) and restaurant. Mon–Sat 18–20 | rue de la Forge-Royale | 11th arr. | tel. 01 43 71 04 39 | M 8: Faidherbe-Chaligny | www.casbah.fr

The Chinese junk anchored in front of the National Library was known for years as the ‘Guinguette Pirate’. Concerts, lots of Salsa music and a restaurant. Tue–Sat | Port de la gare | 13th arr. | tel. 01 53 61 08 49 | M 6: quai de la Gare, M 14: Bibliothèque F. Mitterrand | www.damedecanton.com

LE DIVAN DU MONDE

The old Paris Theatre with a stage and gallery in the vibrant Pigalle district now offers interesting concerts and music by DJs (Funk, Reggae, etc.). With restaurant. Daily (Fri/Sat until 6pm) | 75, rue des Martyrs | 18th arr. | tel. 01 42 52 02 46 | M 1: Pigalle | www.divandumonde.com

LE QUEEN

REX-CLUB

The former boathouse under the arches of the glimmering gold Pont Alexandre III has sprung to life at weekends. The city’s new ‘in’ nightclub. Occasional concerts. Daily | Port des Champs-Elysées, rive droite | 8th arr. | tel. 01 45 61 25 43 | M 1: Champs-Elysées, M 13: Clemenceau | www.showcase.fr

SOCIAL CLUB

For a metropolis such as Paris there are relatively few places where you can get a drink or snack in the early hours. The following bars are classics for night-owls on the hunt for food and something to drink: Le Grand Café, a popular, very large brasserie (open all hours | 4, bd. des Capucines | 9. arr. | M 3, 7, 8: Opéra, RER A: Auber Street Atlas [138 B2].

Au Pied de Cochon (open all hours) | 6, rue Coquillère | 1st arr. | M/RER: Châtelet-Les Halles Street Atlas [139 D4].

Chez Denise serves traditional cuisine Mon–Fri (open all hours) | 5, rue des Prouvaires | 1st arr. | M 1: Louvre-Rivoli Street Atlas [139 D4].

La Maison de l’Aubrac (open all hours) | 37, rue Marbeuf | 8th arr. | M 1, 9: Franklin D. Roosevelt Street Atlas [137 D2].

La Mercerie in one of the trendy neighbourhoods (open all hours) | 98, rue Oberkampf | 11th arr. | M 3: Parmentier Street Atlas [140 C3].

Le Dépanneur (open all hours) | 27, rue Fontaine | 9th arr. | M 2, 12: Pigalle, M 2: Blanche Street Atlas [132 C5].

JAZZ & LIVE MUSIC

LE BAISER SALÉ

LE BATACLAN

Legendary Paris concert and show stage as well as spectacular events where even French and international rock and pop stars perform. With café. 50, bd. Voltaire | 11th arr. | tel. 01 43 14 00 30 | M 5, 9: Oberkampf | www.le-bataclan.com

LA BELLEVILLOISE

An old hall from the 19th century with a wonderful potpourri of activity: live concerts, art exhibitions and assorted events, café and restaurant. Wed–Fri 6pm–2am, Sat/Sun 11am–2am | 19, rue Boyer | 20th arr. | tel. 01 46 36 07 07 | M 3: Gambetta | www.labellevilloise.com

AU DUC DES LOMBARDS

NEW MORNING

LE PETIT JOURNAL MONTPARNASSE

CABARETS & REVUES

LE CRAZY HORSE

Eroticism paired with artistic sensibility. A combination of ballet and striptease with beautiful aesthetic effects. Shows: Sun–Fri 8.15pm–10.45pm, Sat 7pm, 9.30pm, 11.45pm | From 100 euros (includes half a bottle of champagne and a meal) | 12, av. George V | 8th arr. | tel. 01 47 23 32 32 | M 1: George V, M 9: Alma Marceau | www.lecrazyhorseparis.com

AU LAPIN AGILE

Many well-known poets and painters once frequented this picturesque Montmartre cabaret founded in 1860. A great vibe, you’ll wish you were fluent in the language. Tue–Sun 9pm–2am | 24 euros (includes a beverage) | 22, rue des Saules | 18th arr. | tel. 01 46 06 85 87 | M 12: Lamarck-Coulaincourt | www.au-lapin-agile.com

LE LIDO DE PARIS

Spectacular productions, American style. Half a bottle of champagne is included in the cover charge. With a restaurant whose quality has vastly improved over the years. Shows daily 9.30pm and 11.30pm | from 90 euros, with meal (7pm) from 140 euros | Sun and Tue 3pm, from 80 euros | 116, av. des Champs-Elysées | 8. arr. | tel. 01 40 76 56 10 | M 1: George V | www.lido.fr

LE MOULIN ROUGE

Lavish revues in the ‘red mill’ immortalised by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and the birthplace of the cancan, located at the foot of Montmartre. Shows daily 9pm and 11pm | from 80 euros, with meal (7pm) from 150 euros | 82, bd. de Clichy | 18th arr. | tel. 01 53 09 82 82 | M 2: Blanche | www.moulinrouge.fr

CINEMA

Parisians are passionate about the cinema and gladly queue up on Fridays and Saturdays to see the latest film. The city has more than 300 cinemas. Foreign films, as a rule, are shown in their original language with French subtitles – v. o. (version originale) – while films dubbed into French are denoted as v. f. (version française). Main showings begin between 7.30pm and 8.30pm. Admission is usually between 8 and 10 euros, but many cinemas offer discounts on Mondays.

CINÉMATHÈQUE FRANÇAISE

The futuristic building by the architect Frank O. Gehry houses the Cinématèque offering a selection of 40,000 films and extensive archives. Various cinemas with interesting, often rare screenings. Closed Tue | 51, rue de Bercy | 12th arr. | tel. 01 71 19 33 33 | M 6, 14: Bercy | www.cinematheque.fr

Ultramodern, elongated, dazzling white multiplex with 14 cinemas in the futuristic surroundings of the ‘Très Grande Bibliothèque’. 128/162, av. de France | 13th arr. | tel. 01 56 61 44 00 | M 14/RER C: Bibliothèque François Mitterrand | www.mk2.com

Lovely Chinese-Japanese pagoda from the end of the 19th century with a tiled façade and Japanese décor in the auditorium. In the summer, enjoy the ‘salon de thé’ in the garden surrounded by bamboo shoots and bronze lions. 57bis, rue de Babylone | 7th arr. | tel. 01 45 55 48 48 | M 13: Saint-Francois Xavier

CONCERTS

A number of stages showcase all types of music by top performers and amateurs alike. The city is also an important venue for ethnic music from all over the world, especially during the summer months when there are free events as well as concerts in every music style in the city’s parks in July and August.

LA CIGALE

International stars have performed in this auditorium, including Kevin Costner and his band, Modern West. 120, bd. Rochechouart | 18th arr. | tel. 01 49 25 81 75 | M 2, 12: Pigalle | www.lacigale.fr

OLYMPIA

Legendary, world-famous concert hall, with performers ranging from French celebrities to the Rolling Stones. 28, bd. des Capucines | 9th arr. | tel. 08 92 68 33 68 | M 3, 7, 8: Opéra, RER A: Auber | www.olympiahall.com

THÉÂTRE DES CHAMPS-ELYSÉES

Classical music concerts and operas in an opulent setting. 15, av. Montaigne | 8th arr. | tel. 01 49 52 50 50 | M 9: Alma-Marceau | www.theatrechampselysees.fr

THÉÂTRE DU CHÂTELET

One of the most magnificent auditoriums in Paris where classical concerts are often held. 1, pl. du Châtelet | 4th arr. | tel. 01 40 28 28 40 | M/RER: Châtelet-Les Halles | www.chatelet-theatre.com

LE ZÉNITH

Huge concert hall in the Parc de la Villette, a venue for rock and pop concerts. 211, av. Jean-Jaurès | 19th arr. | tel. 01 42 08 60 00 | M 5: Porte de Pantin | www.zenith-paris.com

THEATRE

Grand-scale theatrical productions are rare in Paris. Visitors to Paris with a good command of French can nevertheless find a number of theatrical highlights such as Peter Brooks’ Les Bouffes du Nord (www.bouffesdunord.com) or the Comédie Française (www.comedie-francaise.fr).

THÉÂTRE DE LA VILLE

The premier stage in Paris for modern dance, but also a venue for dramatic works and music (especially ethnic). 2, pl. du Châtelet | 4th arr. | tel. 01 42 74 22 77 | M/RER: Châtelet-Les Halles |www.theatredelaville-paris.com

Every Friday evening thousands of inline skaters congregate on a nearly 20 mile-long stretch of roads closed off to traffic. The meeting place is between Montparnasse station and the Montparnasse tower at 10pm Street Atlas [143 F3]. Gare Montparnasse | 6th arr. | M 4, 6, 12, 13: Montparnasse-Bienvenue | www.pari-roller.com

The homey, old-fashioned atmosphere of the tiny bar/restaurant Le Limonaire Street Atlas [139 D2] offers folksy chansons and cabarets. Daily from 8.15pm, restaurant; free shows from 10pm | 18, cité Bergére | 9th arr. | tel. 01 45 23 33 33 |M 8, 9: Grands-Boulevards

The Fleche d’Or Street Atlas [141 F6] is a truly fashionable meeting place located in a former station: concerts (techno to jazz), cabarets, bar, disco. Daily from 8.45pm, Thu–Sat until 5am | free admission | 102, rue de Bagnolet | 20th arr. | tel. 01 43 72 42 44 | M 2: Alexandre Dumas | www.flechedor.fr

	Bar des Murano Resort
	One of the most fashionable venues in Paris to usher in the night

	OPA
	A hotspot for the younger generation: dancing and live concerts in a brick loft

	Le Batofar
	The converted barge on the Seine is one of the hottest dance clubs in the city

	New Morning
	The jazz club in Paris, where the best musicians from all over the world make guest performances

	Le Fumoir
	Classic bar: elegant, laid-back, jazzy

Photo: Bar La Fourmi

HIGHLIGHTS | BARS | CLUBS & DISCOS | JAZZ & LIVE MUSIC | CABARETS & REVUES | CINEMA | CONCERTS | THEATRE