Here’s a new bar in an area, Strasbourg Saint-Denis, that’s becoming a more and more interesting alternative to Pigalle, Oberkampf and Bastille. The team managing the venue know what they’re doing, and the friendly welcome, comfy sofa, soft lighting and cheap Parisian beer (Gallia) encouraging chat and chance encounters. The downstairs dance floor area stays open until 2am and is a good place to meet the local population of hipsters, artists and musicians...
When it comes to watching live football, Paris isn’t the most obliging of cities. Unless you have a subscription to Canal+ or you’re happy to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with rowdy men in suits who’ll unapologetically spill half a pint on your lap every time someone scores, your choices are limited. With this in mind, we’ve branched out beyond your run-of-the-mill faux-British pubs to seek out the best alternative bars that screen sports, and above all football, on a regular basis. So pack your vuvuzelas (or, on second thoughts, don’t), and head on down.