The best Paris nightlife
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The City of Light is not short on traditional cultural sorties, with world-class opera and ballet as well as revues spanning the comedic to the racy. But there is also a whole host of eclectic clubs for those wishing to continue revelries into the wee hours. Nightlife is concentrated in Pigalle (particularly trendy SoPi, or South Pigalle), around Canal Saint-Martin and Strasbourg Saint-Denis, and along the banks of the Seine in less tourist-trodden 12th and 13th arrondissements. Here, Telegraph Travel's Paris experts, Hannah Meltzer and Natasha Edwards, present their favourite after-hours spots.
Opera National
The glorious Second Empire architecture of the Palais Garnier alone is a convincing reason to visit, with its multicoloured marble, imposing Grand Staircase, Grand Foyer and Chagall fresco. But it's appreciated during a performance, which is undoubtedly a grand affair: the opera house seats 22,200, with room for up to 450 performers on stage. The programming presents a mix of classical and contemporary opera and ballet, with performances shared between Palais Garnier and its more modern (and less architecturally adored) sister at Bastille – where acoustics are nonetheless excellent.
Contact: 00 33 171 25 24 23; operadeparis.fr
Opening times: Varies
Prices: £££
Getting in: Smart dress
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Folies-Bergère
When the Folies-Bergère opened its doors in 1869, its revues set the mould for the Belle Époque era to come. It went on to host the greatest stars of the early 20th century, from Joséphine Baker to Charlie Chaplin, and its Art Nouveau publicity posters have now been elevated to exalted status. Today the sumptuous, velvet-bedecked space plays host to a diverse roster of dramatic and musical talent. Starting from Oct 2, it will stage the Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show, a trashy, sexy fashion bonanza centered around the work and pop culture influences of fashion’s 'enfant terrible'.
Contact: 00 33 144 79 98 60; foliesbergere.com
Opening times: Varies
Prices: £-££
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Au Lapin Agile
In Montmartre’s bohemian heyday, this rustic cabaret was a favourite hangout of the neighbourhood's penniless artists, including Picasso, who paid off his bar debts by painting 'Le Lapin Agile' (its reproduction hangs in the tiny space). The area may have changed significantly in the last 100 years, but this venue has still retained much of its old-world charm. For €28, you’ll get entrance to a show and a drink: pull up a wooden stall and gather round the piano for hearty renditions of 'chanson française'. There is no sound system – only instruments and voices, and audiences often join in with the songs.
Contact: 00 33 146 06 85 87; au-lapin-agile.com
Opening times: Tue-Sun, 9pm-1am
Prices: ££
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Le Duc des Lombards
For jazz enthusiasts, this concert venue-cum-restaurant in central Paris offers a varied programme of French and international acts in a setting that is optimised for acoustics, and where crowds hush respectfully to hear the musicians. Head there post 11.30pm on a weekend for free entry, a more relaxed vibe and local acts. Ask to be seated in the dimly lit gallery upstairs if you want a bit more freedom to chat. Drinks are fairly pricey, so order by the bottle for better value. Expect a varied crowd of locals and visitors and a generally grown-up vibe.
Contact: 00 33 142 33 22 88; ducdeslombards.com
Opening times: Weekdays, 7pm-11.30pm; Fri-Sat, 7pm-3.30am
Prices: £-££
Getting in: Reservations essential for concerts
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Batofar
This distinctive, red steel lightship, anchored in front of the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand, is the lynchpin of the super popular Seine-side club scene. Inside, DJs spin techno, hip hop, rock, jungle and dancehall and there are regular live performances and themed nights. Start the evening with apéro on the deck at La Terrase bar, with the Seine as your backdrop. From June to September, the venue stretches out onto the quais with a beach bar area, complete with sand and sun loungers. Open-air cinema screenings are also on offer in the summer months.
Contact: 00 33 153 60 37 85; batofar.fr
Opening times: Wed-Sat, 6pm-7am; Sun-Tue, 6pm-12am
Prices: ££
Getting in: Free entry before 10pm
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Silencio
David Lynch has transferred his club in Mulholland Drive from screen to Parisian reality. Situated deep underground in the building that once housed radical newspaper L'Aurore, Lynch designed the labyrinth of rooms that includes a gold-leaf tunnel, a Twin Peaks-ish forest, a private cinema, a smoking room and a small stage for live music or DJs. An international arts, fashion and media set sips coloured cocktails in the art library in the early evening, joined late at night by a combination of bright young things and the overflow from the Social Club music venue next door.
Contact: 00 33 1 40 13 12 32; silencio-club.com
Opening times: Tue-Thu, 6pm-4am; Fri-Sat, 6pm-6am
Prices: £££
Getting in: Open only to members and guests before 12am; free but selective entry after 12am
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Le Carmen
Set in a former hôtel particulier, which one housed the apartment of French composer Bizet (and, according to rumour, a high-end 'maison close'), this trendy all-night bar is worth visiting for the exquisite surroundings alone. You’ll find elaborate wall mouldings, frescoes, arches and chandeliers: in the 19th century, neoclassical design was all the rage in what was then the artistic and exclusive Nouvelle Athènes district. Today, Le Carmen is frequented by a hip, arty crowds who come for the signature cocktails and exciting programme of DJs, piano concerts and after-parties.
Contact:le-carmen.fr
Opening times: Tue-Sat, 6pm-6am
Prices: ££
Getting in: Smart dress recommended
Communion
Situated on the roof of La Cité de la Mode et du Design, this popular spot (formerly Le Nüba) in the less tourist-trodden 13th arrondissement is now managed by the team behind exclusive bar Le Baron, and has been renamed Communion. The views across the Seine are spectacular and the vibe is chilled, with deck chairs, fairy lights and foosball tables scattered amongst street food vendors, with additional barbeques in the summer. The programming is diverse – nights span old-school hip-hop, salsa and reggaeton, Afrobeat and house. The dress code is casual and the vibe is laid-back.
Contact: 00 33 177 17 78 49; communion.paris
Opening times: Wed-Thu, 6pm-2am; Fri-Sat, 6pm-5am
Prices: £
Getting in: Free entry before 10pm
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Le Bus Palladium
This historic music venue has worked itself firmly back onto the Parisian cultural scene in recent years. In the Sixties it was a favourite of a new generation of rockers and beatnicks: the name came from the bus that shuttled suburb-living youths to the club and back. The décor is retro but the music is bang up-to-date, with edgy live acts, electro and hip-hop DJs in the club and a regular 'live kareoke' night with a band (for the brave). Upstairs, the chic restaurant also hots live acts and DJs on the weekend. Entry to the club is free for diners.
Contact: 00 33 145 26 80 35; buspalladium.com
Opening times: Tue, 8pm-2am; Thu-Sat, 8pm-6am
Price: ££
Getting in: Entry free for women on Tuesdays
La Bellevilleoise
This cultural space in the 20th arrondissement started life as a workers’ cooperative, and today it is still a hub for music and art enthusiasts, as well as weekend revellers and diners. The gorgeous olive tree-dotted 'Halle', arranged over two levels, is a fabulous spot for concerts, including the 'jazz brunch' on Sundays. After dark, the downstairs area transforms into a club hosting live acts and DJs, taking in soul, funk, hip hop, r‘n’b, Latin music, swing and more. Wine is reasonably priced and tasty fruit-based cocktails are on offer for €10.
Contact: 00 33 146 36 07 07; labellevilloise.com
Opening times: Wed-Thu, 7pm-1am; Fri, 7pm-6am; Sat, 11am-6am; Sun, 11:30am-4pm, 7pm–1am; closed Mon-Tue
Price: ££
Getting in: Book tickets in advance for themed club nights
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Badaboum
Badaboum has the feel of a London club with its stripped back industrial look and neon lighting. It’s a popular spot for an 'after', where a mix of both Parisian and international DJs spin techno and electro tracks into the early hours. The cocktail bar, a dimly-lit space decked out with the obligatory exposed brickwork and chesterfield sofas, is open until 2am and presents a quieter alternative for weary dancers to retreat to. The club also hosts live acts from across the world, including US rappers and indie bands.
Contact:00 33 01 48 06 50 70; badaboum.paris
Opening times: Wed, 7pm-2am; Thu, 7pm-5am; Fri-Sat, 7pm-6.15am
Prices: ££
Getting in: Book tickets in advance
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La Machine du Moulin Rouge
Keen to visit the Moulin Rouge, but looking for something a bit more contemporary than the can-can? The former boiler room of the iconic cabaret has been transformed into La Chaufferie, an underground dance floor, which links with Le Centre one floor up, a club night and concert space accommodating up to 1,000 revellers; together they form one of the biggest clubs in central Paris. There is also a greenery-adorned terrace tapas bar and a roof terrace, great for cooling off between sessions on the floor, which remains open until 4am on club nights.
Contact: 00 33 153 41 88 89; lamachinedumoulinrouge.com
Opening times: Friday and Saturday 12am-6am; other nights depend on programming
Price: £
Getting in: Book tickets in advance
