For the past several years, the Greater Paris party scene has been lit! A breath of fresh air has swept through Ile-de-France with the coming of age of a new generation of partygoers who have adopted the capital and its surroundings as their favorite playground. You’ll find festive events in clubs, public parks and gardens, and unexpected venues like abandoned factories. The musical palette on offer is just as diverse, with electro—particularly techno and house—leading the charge. Here’s a quick look at a few places and parties that just can’t be missed. Rock, electro, select, alt, jazz, French chanson, musicals and more—something’s bound to suit your fancy.
As one of the world’s jazz capitals, Paris is full of places to enjoy the genre. Make sure to drop in at legendary clubs like Le Petit Journal Saint-Michel (5th arrondissement), Le Caveau de la Huchette (5th arrondissement), Péniche Le Marcounet (5th arrondissement) and Le Duc des Lombards (1st arrondissement), one of the capital’s jazz meccas. There are also the celebrated concert cafés to enjoy, such as Café Laurent (6th arrondissement), which was the place to be in 1950s Saint-Germain-des Prés: Boris Vian used to play here. There are also full-service restaurants with live music, like La Bellevilloise (20th arrondissement) and its famous Sunday jazz brunch. Also worth a mention: River Café in Issy-les-Moulineaux, with its floating concerts on the Seine; Le Triton, a non-profit community restaurant in Les Lilas, which features a jazz-rich concert lineup; and La Dynamo de Banlieues Bleues, located in a former burlap sack factory in Pantin.
You’ll find all the different rock genres playing in a wide selection of Parisian bars and clubs. Indie, punk, garage, new wave, hard, metal and more are in the spotlight almost every night—and the concert venues sometimes turn into dancefloors once the live music is over. Le Gibus (11th arrondissement) is must-visit in the category.
The LGBT community is a driving force behind the dynamic after-dark scene in Paris. In case you’re wondering, all the places listed are, of course, straight-friendly. The atmosphere is open-minded, laid-back and incredibly festive. In addition to the classic venues in and around the Marais (like the bars Who's, Banana Café, The Labo and Bears’ Den; don’t miss Rosa Bonheur: Rosa Bonheur Buttes-Chaumont, and its little sister Rosa Bonheur sur Seine, located on the banks of the river.
Several major addresses in the Parisian nightscape also host LGBT events: Le Gibus (11th arrondissement); Le Tango (3th arrondissement), aka La Boîte à Frissons to name just a few. As for dedicated parties, there’s a plethora to choose from: La Madame Klaude Wet for Me by Barbieturix for women, Bizarre Love Triangle, Menergy, . And let’s not forget La Nuit des Follivores et des Crazyvores.
By definition, these exclusive clubs promise an evening rubbing elbows with the cream of the crop. And getting in can be difficult if you’re not a regular or even a member, like at the renowned Silencio, dreamed up by American director David Lynch. Dress code is obligatory at other places as well, including Medellin Paris (8th arrondissement), Le Carmen (9th arrondissement), Le Speakeasy (16th arrondissement), Boum Boum (8th arrondissement)... And let’s not forget the VIP nightclubs of western Paris, located around the Champs-Élysées, in the capitals 8th arrondissement: L'Arc, Le Matignon, Chez Raspoutine, Maxim’s and Le Manko.
Many venues enjoy indoor and outdoor spaces, so it’s no surprise some parties get started at noon. And, with the arrival of spring, courtyards, terraces and artificial beaches are swarming with costumed, sequined sun-seekers, often with kids in tow for a leisurely afternoon stroll. For open-air cafés, head over to Rosa Bonheur in Buttes-Chaumont Park (19th arrondissement), Rosa Bonheur sur Seine (7th arrondissement),La Guinguette de l’île du Martin-pêcheur in Champigny-sur-Marne or the cultural touring boat Le Barboteur, which travels between the 19th arrondissement of Paris, Pantin and Bobigny.
Glazart, whose LaPlage is the envy of all of Paris, La Clairière and Le Chalet des Iles (in the Bois de Boulogne) all deserve a mention as well. The parks of Greater Paris also host their fair share of festivals. To keep up with the happenings, check out the websites of the venues and the collectives behind them.
And don’t miss L’Été du Canal, which takes place every July and August with a rich and varied schedule of events along the Canal de l’Ourcq: party and concert cruises, walks, street dances, shows, concerts, exhibitions, urban art, water sports, family activities and more—one big party with something for everyone!
With their cosy, unusual or elegant atmosphere, hotel bars are perfect for partying all night long. More and more venues are entrusting their event programming to nightlife experts to become places where you can dance the night away to concerts or DJ sets.
For unusual nights out, head to the Kube Hotel, where after-work drinks often stretch late into the night. The Le Méridien Étoile hotel, meanwhile, has opted for jazz and soul concerts in its legendary Jazz Étoile club. Don't miss the outskirts of Paris, where the two Mama Shelter hotels regularly host hip hop stars and offer memorable nights out.
