Clubs in Paris

Compared to other European cities, the club scene in Paris can be a bit of a riddle. Although large, ritzy discos are easy enough to find (wander around the Champs-Elysées), locating more unusual venues requires some insider knowledge – this should help.

Clubs

Big events

Many artists and labels that found fame through the ongoing surge in popularity of French electronic music are now more likely to fill large venues than honour their origins by playing on small stages. For audiences, this translates as big, one-off events in venues such as Rex and Point Ephémère, with cool labels, DJs and crews – Tigersushi, Versatile, Kill the DJ, Bob Sinclar, David Guetta, Dirty Sound System – running their own show.

For regular big-room clubbing, the Mix is still top dog, and the legendary Queen continues to pack in a mostly gay crowd.

Smaller venues

It’s worth noting that the city’s smaller venues often get the biggest DJs. It’s not rare, for example, to catch star Berlin DJ M.A.N.D.Y at Elysée Montmartre or Jarvis Cocker at the Nouveau Casino – not to mention other bijou joints such as Le Baron and La Boule Noire.

Ones to watch

It’s also worth keeping an eye on Mains d’Oeuvres, famed for its wild occasional parties and regular gigs; and Social Club (formerly Triptyque). Les Bains Douches is also back on form, drawing a mixed, fashionable crowd. And the section of the 13th arrondissement beside the river is fast becoming the Left Bank’s hottest nightlife area.

After-parties

If you don’t know when to stop, there are various after-party options – although with clubbing activity starting in the wee hours, normal clubs can feel like an after-party and a night can feel like it’s only just warming up at 5am. Parties that don’t stop until sundown can be found on the Concorde Atlantique during summer, and at smaller venues such as Batofar (the historic home of after-parties, though it hosts them less frequently these days), Red Light and Nouveau Casino. Look out for on flyers for events run by the Families organisation, which keeps crowds rocking 24 hours a day, and DJ Terry and the Freak ’n’ Chic crew.

Flyers & listings

Many of the bars and venues that litter Bastille, the Marais, Oberkampf, the Grands Boulevards, Pigalle and Canal St-Martin provide flyers for one-off nights and good clubs (try La Fourmi, Andy Whaloo and L’Ile Enchantée) and are also ideal for pre-clubbing drinks. Once you’ve checked the options over a drink, you’ll be all set for the night ahead.

For listings, check www.flyersweb.com, www.novaplanet.com, www.radiofg.com and www.lemonsound.com. Radio stations FG (98.2FM) and Nova (101.5FM) also provide details on what’s happening.

Transport at night

The last métro leaves at around 12.30am (an hour later on Fridays, Saturdays and the night before public holidays), and the first one gets rolling at 5.30am. Between those times, you’ll have to take a night bus, taxi or Vélib (but don’t drink and ride). However, central Paris is small, and you may well be able to walk to your next destination.

Top tips

Act like a tourist: talk loudly in English. Clubs like tourists because they have a tendency to spend more.

Leave drunk mates in the bar: avoid turning up with lots of boozed-up mates. Drunks and gangs are almost guaranteed not to get in – unless they’re all female.

Order a bottle: order a bottle of spirits at the door of upmarket clubs. It can get you ushered straight past the doorman, and is often cheaper than buying a round of drinks.

Pick up flyers for cheap entry: check flyers in clothes shops and DJ bars for free or reduced entry.

Turn up late: clubbing generally happens late, so arrive at 1am or 2am.

Our listings

While every effort and care has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this guide, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors it may contain. Before you go out of your way, we strongly advise you to phone ahead and check the particulars.

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