La Fourmi was a precursor to the industrial-design, informal, music-led bars that have sprung up around Paris - and it's still very much a style leader, attracting everyone...

The Mix has one of the city's biggest dancefloors. Regular international visitors include Erick Morillo's Subliminal and Ministry of Sound parties, and in-house events include...

The Rex's new sound system puts over 40 different sound configurations at the DJ's fingertips, and has proved to be a magnet for top turntable stars. Once associated with...

This was one of the first hip joints to hit the Canal de l'Ourcq, with an embankment broad enough to accommodate pétanque games (ask at the bar) and a cluster of deckchairs....

A popular DJ bar, especially in summer, when fashionistas flock to the terrace. Cool live music is played from Thursdays to Saturdays after 10pm. Expect anything from DJ Jet...

Just below Montmartre, but away from the seedy Pigalle drag, this new arrival serves decent French cuisine and cocktails by the bucket-load. As the last dinner plates are...

Dubbed the 'African Bar' by regulars, this wannabe-hip spot hams up the colonial with zebra skins, masks and a throne hewn from a tree trunk. Beer, wine, tea and standard...

The 'Grocery Store' is rue Jean-Pierre-Timbaud's answer to La Mercerie: it, too, is a big old space filled with junk. Cupboards of kitsch china and lampshades made from kitchen...

Late opening and Eric Perier's diverse range of nightly entertainment - DJs (weekends), videos, live acts (Tuesday to Thursdays) and the odd open mic event - are the...

Set inside a former bordello, the Jungle runs a programme of live afro-jazz on Wednesdays and Fridays (€2 extra on drinks), DJs on Saturdays, and jazz and blues on Sundays....

Opposite the landmark Charbon and infinitely more grungy, the spacious Mercerie has bare walls (bare everything, in fact) and room for the usual Oberkampf shenanigans of...

With an old locomotive over the bar and sleek rows of grey chairs, the Pearl achieves a rare balance between all-day and late-night venue, and also has a good hetero/homo mix....

A convivial place where beautiful women go to have a drink, meet other women and listen to good music. There's a small dance space in the basement, and a number of theme nights...

Le Café des Sports' fine and eclectic music programme ranges from electro (Saturdays), to pop or chanson (Tuesdays and Thursdays) to world dub. Beer and wine are fabulously...