The 10 best gay bars in Paris for 2026

Jen and Joseph, the two masterminds behind this lilliputian cocktail bar in Pigalle — the epicenter of Parisian glam rock, have always wanted to shine the spotlight on drag shows. As a result, and despite a very limited floor space, Parisian and international artists, alike, follow one after the other, performing some epic burlesque dances, comedy gigs and song shows in an inclusive, festive and offbeat atmosphere. It's pure joy and dance in a cocktail bar. 

Address: 4 Rue Viollet-le-Duc, 75009, Paris (9th arrondisement)

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 6pm-1am; Friday and Saturday from 6pm-2am; closed Sunday and Monday

Opened in February 2024, this small lesbian-chic bar is adorned with lilac and glitter walls, and was launched by Hélène Carreira and Andréa Bellemere-Laussat. The bar supports all-things LGBTQI+ with openings of artists from the community, feminist concerts and queer dating events on Sundays, all backed by a hell of a good good cocktail menu. Not bad for an address in the heart of Seine-Saint-Denis.

Address: 16 Boulevard Paul Vaillant Couturier, 93100, Montreuil

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm-midnight; Sunday from 3pm-10pm; closed Monday

This small corner bar near the Faidherbe-Chaligny metro station is run by the trio Karen Mounier, Hélène Jenny and Esther Poryles, and consistently runs a hefty number of feminist and intersectional activist events with (no transphobia, racism or ableism here). They also host  dynamic exhibitions, debates and drag shows in a cool and collected atmosphere with some cleverly named cocktails if you're savvy to the French language. 

Address: 40 Rue de Montreuil, 75011, Paris (11th arrondisement)

Opening Hours: Monday from 6pm-2am; Tuesday to Saturday from 2pm-2am; closed Sunday

Launched in 2008, this guinguette located in a nineteenth-century house in the heart of the Buttes-Chaumont has always pampered its queer burlesque side with a joyful staff and an ultra-festive program. On Sundays, gay tea dances attract a dense, colourful and funny crowd that spills over onto the huge terrace under the trees and rows to hits by Mylène Farmer or L5. Fantastic. 

Address: 2 Av. de la Cascade, 75019, Paris (19th arrondisement)

Opening Hour: Thursday to Sunday from noon-midnight; closed Monday to Wednesday

This lesbian-feminist-queer basement bar is hidden in an alley (not far from the Saint-Michel fountain) and is a lovely reminder of the Latin Quarter's former bohemian life. The space is tight, the lights intimate, the crowd is lively and warm. It also plays host to a variety of events: DJ sets, theatre, writing workshops, playfight matches and even hairdressing sessions. Most important, Le Cabaret is a safe haven for FLINTA, a French acronym that stands for femmes, lesbiennes, intersexes, non-binaires, trans et agenres - aka women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans and agender people. And fun fact: François Villon, France's most famous poet in the Late Middle Ages, was once a visitor here. 

Address: 25 Rue de l'Hirondelle, 75006, Paris 
(6th arrondisement)

Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 6pm-1am; and Friday to Saturday from 6pm-2am

Co-owners Mya Plunket and Rio Salmon used to throw Sunday parties at Harmony in Pigalle before opening Le Bunker, a bright and ‘tropicool’ room that serves cocktails and street food. The hip-swaying soundtracks bounce between afrobeats and 90's R&B, naturally making it a great place to dance in Paris. It's also become a warm, intersectional meeting place for the queer community of color, which was seriously lacking in the borough until now. 

Address: 54 Rue Guy Môquet, 75017, Paris (17th arrondisement)

Opening Hours: Thursday to Saturday from 5pm-2am; Wednesday and Sunday from 5pm-1am; closed Monday and Tuesday

American duo Jennifer Crain and Allison Kave are behind this peachy-keen cocktail bar that continues to show nothing but inclusivity within Paris's 10th arrondisement. The place, itself, is bright, apricot-hued and adorned with geometric wallpaper and disco ball planters - all delicate touches that bring this place to life. The menu is just as charming, and offers seasonal cocktails and plant-based bar bites. 

Address: 191 Rue Saint-Maur, 75010, Paris (10th arrondisement)

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 5pm-1am; Saturday to Sunday from 11am-1am

Tired of rude remarks from staff and cis men, Palestinian-Dubai chef Ruba Khoury opened a place of her own where women (especially lesbians) can feel at home. Everyone is welcome in this cosy haven. The only rules here are kindness and respect. In return, Khoury dishes out delicious falafels, hummus, and foccaccia bread with za'atar, all fantastic for soaking up the bar's boozy beverages with some steamy names. Zaddy Issues and Over The Clothes anyone? 

Address: 24 Rue de la Folie Méricourt, 75011 Paris (11th arrondisement)

Opening Hours: Monday from 6pm-1am; Tuesday to Thursday from 6pm-2am; Friday from 6pm-3am; Saturday from 11am-3pm, and 6pm-3am; and Sunday from 11am-3pm, and 6pm-1am

It's not a competition, but if we were to award the prize for the bar that's most committed to fighting for intersectional rights, it would probaby be La Mutinerie. Proudly queer and feminist, this La Mutinerie (aka La Mut) has minimalist décor, and ensures zero tolerance for discrimination around gender, sexual preferences, skin color or disability (the list goes on). All this is packed into a relaxed, cool atmosphere with some cutting-edge DJ sets.

Address: 176-178 Rue Saint-Martin, 75003, Paris (3rd arrondisement)

Opening Hours: Open daily from 5pm-1.30am

This new generation guinguette (open-air cafe) opened in late 2016 in one of the 26 gleaming Folies of the Parc de la Villette, designed by Bernard Tschum in the 1980s using remnants of former slaughterhoues. A very literal depiction of ‘with death, comes life’. Under the shade of lime trees, there's lit-up terrace for a cool aperitivo. When the drinks hit, head to its industrial room boogie and a program that has seduced the queer community entirely: drag bingos, the Mustang party, the Bizarre festival. Inclusivity and greenery? We love that for us. 

Address: 26 Av. Corentin Cariou Parc de, 75019, Paris (19th arrondisement)

Opening Hours: Thursday from 7pm-2am; Friday and Saturday from 8pm-6am; Sunday from 4pm-midnight; closed Monday to Wednesday