LGBT bars and clubs in Paris

In this article:

• LGBT and LGBT-friendly bars
• LGBT and LGBT-friendly clubs
• Our selection of LGBT events
• Frequently asked questions

Paris is home to many great venues that are particularly welcoming to the LGBT community, whatever your sexual orientation or gender identity. Often located in the Marais, though not exclusively, they help make Paris a welcoming and lively city. Here’s a quick round-up of the must-visit spots!

🎯 Gay and lesbian bars in Paris: our favourite spots

📌 The must-visit bars in the Marais and Châtelet

The Marais, once the community’s sole hub, still boasts some iconic venues. The COX is a must-visit spot in the neighbourhood. Open since 1995, this trendy bar attracts such a diverse and numerous crowd that they spill out onto the surrounding pavements, sipping drinks, just like at Quetzal. A friendly atmosphere is guaranteed! On Rue des Lombards, the atmosphere is rugged at Bear’s Den with its aptly named clientele, though more mixed at The Labo Bar Club. To dance whilst having a drink, pop into Les Souffleuses where the team serves up must-try cocktails. Other bars with a friendly atmosphere include Café Voulez-Vous on Rue du Temple and Duplex on Rue Michel Le Comte. And if you fancy singing old favourites and today’s hits, L’Enchanteur hosts karaoke nights.

If you head a little way out of the Marais towards Châtelet, you’ll soon come across a Parisian gay nightlife institution, recognisable by its exotic façade (and its late happy hour): the Banana Café. From May to October, the banks of the Seine Rive Droite host the summer barge of the Marcounet, a venue open all year round hosting jazz and world music concerts, cabarets and cultural events. In recent years, nightlife venues have been springing up in the districts near the Marais, stretching as far as the 19th and 20th arrondissements: Rosa Bonheur in Buttes Chaumont Park, La Bellevilloise or À La Folie in Parc de la Villette...

📌 Lesbian and queer bars to discover

For a girls’ night out or a militant queer atmosphere, head to the area around the Centre Pompidou, where La Mutinerie and Les Aimantes share a bustling stretch of rue Saint-Martin. These two queer bars offer a pleasant terrace and a lively programme: workshops, concerts and other events punctuate these two unmissable venues on the Parisian lesbian nightlife scene.

Also in the Marais, the Cabaret des Merveilles is a must-visit arts venue on rue de l'Hirondelle, offering a vibrant stage dedicated to queer and feminist performances in a calm and refined atmosphere.

Just a stone’s throw away, the activist bar Bonjour Madame, in the heart of the 11th arrondissement, stands out as a socially conscious cultural venue. To extend the experience, head to Pantin to discover Chez Olympe, an inclusive cabaret-restaurant offering drag shows and stand-up comedy, or Montvenus, a cosy spot perfect for a drink with friends.

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🎯LGBT and LGBT-friendly clubs in Paris

After 2 am, head to one of Paris’s LGBT-friendly venues to dance until dawn! At Tango (La Boîte à frissons), you can shake your hips in a friendly atmosphere to a mix of music ranging from pop to kitsch hits. Lesbians, gays, bi, trans, straight - everyone is welcome!

A hot spot in the neighbourhood, the Raidd Bar has established itself as a must-visit venue in the Marais with its striking decor, go-go dancers and famous daily shower show at midnight. At the CUD, one of the most popular spots among the Marais’s male crowd, you’ll find yourself dancing to the latest hits on a basement dance floor. Whether you prefer a beer or a cocktail, a gay disco atmosphere is guaranteed at Gibus, where every night is different. The Klub is the go-to queer venue dedicated to experimental music.

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🎯 Gay nights out and events in Paris: where to go out in the evenings and at the weekend?

The Parisian LGBT community regularly gets together for regular parties at various venues across the capital, where everyone is welcome. From pop-up events to friendly after-work get-togethers and Sunday gatherings, the Paris gay scene is never short of festive occasions!

📌 Regular and travelling parties

In Paris, travelling parties are on the rise! Wet For Me (by the Barbieturix collective) and Flash Cocotte change venues with every event, taking turns at the Cabaret Sauvage, the Wanderlust , FVTVR or the Social Club. In the Parc de La Villette, À La Folie hosts numerous gay and gay-friendly nights in its club area. Le Point Ephémère, on the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin, remains a popular party spot for the community.

Over at Gibus, the Nuits des Follivores / Crazyvores liven up the République neighbourhood with a quirky atmosphere set to the sounds of French and international hits. A must-see on the calendar, Copain-Copine is a monthly queer party held at Mazette, celebrating diversity with infectious energy.

The Parisian scene also buzzes with excitement at major events such as the Paris Queer Festival, a true celebration of drag creativity and LGBTQIA+ cultures. For fans of cutting-edge clubbing, the Mustang nights at À la Folie transform the Parc de la Villette into a temple of electro and house music, whilst the Jerk Off festival explores the fringes of art and queer culture.

Performances take centre stage with the tour of La Bouche Cabaret, which takes over iconic venues across Greater Paris, or the show Spin My Cabaret at the Griffon. For a guaranteed party atmosphere, don’t miss Vendredix, the weekly event that gets the capital moving, as well as the Guilty Pleasure nights where you can embrace your most kitsch musical tastes. Fans of games and drag gather for the famous Bingo Drag and Bingo d’Esther, or take part in the festive side of the Tournoi International de Paris (TIP).

Finally, a historic event not to be missed: from 9 to 13 September 2026, Paris will host Global Black Pride. This major international gathering celebrates Black LGBTQIA+ communities through conferences, parades and parties dedicated to visibility and inclusion.

📌 After-work drinks and Sunday outings

For those who like to extend the weekend, Sunday evenings in Paris offer a variety of atmospheres, from festive open-air events to laid-back clubbing.

• The Rosa Bonheur institution: in the heart of Buttes Chaumont park, the Rosa Bonheur terrace remains the community’s unmissable Sunday hangout. A friendly atmosphere, tapas and DJ sets attract a cosmopolitan crowd from the afternoon onwards
• Travelling events: Puti Vuelta continues to get the capital buzzing with its monthly parties (often on the first Friday of the month) in various Parisian clubs, attracting a very international crowd. For more party-style and inclusive events, the Copain-Copine nights at Mazette have become unmissable
• The “Guinguette” spirit at La Villette: the bar-club À la folie is the new Sunday afternoon hotspot. With its memorable “Bingo Drag” nights and reimagined tea dances (such as the Mustang Sundays), it’s the ideal spot for an inclusive and uninhibited atmosphere
• Tango and dance: for a more artistic end to the weekend, keep an eye out for the Get In Dance sessions at Rosa Bonheur sur Seine, which regularly offers introductions to queer tango in a spirit of deliberate diversity

📌 Guide to regular parties and events

Keep an eye on the event calendars on the organisers’ websites and Instagram and Facebook accounts so you don’t miss a thing!

© PARISLGBT.com