Where To Go Clubbing In Paris

Paris

By Peter13 mins read

You’re in the City of Lights, and you just spent the day hitting up the major attractions; climbing the Eiffel Tower, strolling down the Champs-Elysees, seeing the Arc de Triomphe, snapping a photo in front of Notre Dame and maybe even taking an afternoon boat cruise on the Seine. But now daylight is gone, the city is illuminated, and you’re ready for a drink (or maybe 4, 5 or even 10). You know that Paris is sure to offer up a great time, but you aren’t sure where to start. With so many places to choose from, how do you know which club will be worth that €10 cover charge and which ones you want to avoid at all costs?

The first thing that surprises many Americans, most of whom are used to bars closing at 2 am (except those living in New York and a handful of other cities), the Paris nightlife hours might astound and puzzle you. In Paris, the best clubs really don’t start filling up until after midnight; however, they stay open until the sun is rising. When I lived in Paris, I would regularly go out late and stay out until the Metro started running again at 5:30 in the morning. I’d usually stumble back to my apartment just in time to pass out before my great-aunt; would be getting up for the day.

She thought I was nuts (she was 80, I was 20, which explains our difference in perspective). However, staying out till 5 am in Paris is pretty standard. So wear your most comfortable pair of dancing shoes and get ready to party into the wee hours of the morning at these great Paris nightclubs.

Here Are Some Of The Best Places To Go Clubbing In Paris

Barrio Latino

This club, located near the Bastille in Paris, is a great place to have a few drinks and dance when your agenda may not include nights out partying until 5 am. This bar closes at 2 am, meaning even if you are having a great time into those early morning hours, you’re still going to have to leave Barrio Latino. This multi-story club with wrought iron ceilings, dimly light red lighting (which makes everyone look better), and velvet ceilings give it a rich, warm feel. The crowd here varies from office workers grabbing a few cocktails to students wanting to dance. This was one of my favorite places in Paris to enjoy a night out without spending most of the next day recuperating.

Hours: 11 am-2 am
Address: 46 Rue du Faubourg, St Antoine, 75011 Paris
Metro: Bastille

Bus Palladium

This club was once THE spot for yeye music (a popular type of Rock-inspired music in 1960s France). The club still has a retro 1960s look with varnished hardwoods and fabric-covered walls. However, this rock-n-roll temple, which consists of a single room with a very long bar, is a great place to escape the house/dance/techno beats you hear in most French nightclubs and even better yet, women drink for free on Tuesdays.

Hours: 11pm-6 am
Address: 6, rue Fontaine, Paris 75009
Metro: Blanche or Pigalle

Kong

If you want to have at least one posh night out in Paris, Kong is definitely the place to go. Not only does this Japanese-inspired club have stunning views of the Parisian skyline, but it was also designed by famous French designer Philippe Stack. The club is made of almost all glass and sits out on the Seine near Pont-Neuf. Even if you aren’t a big party girl or guy, this is a spot that’s even worthwhile during the day for the views. That being said, you can imagine what the views are like at night in the aptly named City of Lights.

This glamorous club has a model clientele, always full of beautiful, stylish people—so make sure you dress to impress. Entry is competitive here, but if you want a shot at a glam Paris night, rubbing elbows with beautiful people while taking in great views (and sipping grossly overpriced cocktails), this is the place to go.

Hours: Thurs-Sat Noon- 2am
Address: 1 Rue du Pont-Neuf, 75001 Paris
Metro: Pont-Neuf

Le Queen

Although this Champs Elysees nightclub used to be a famous gay club called Le Boy (which was near impossible to get into), the club today is still popular and has a substantial heterosexual clientele. Le Queen is known for its many world-famous DJs who spin a wide variety of dance, house, and re-mixed beats that are easy to dance to. The club is most popular on Monday nights. Wednesday nights are ladies’ nights; this means women get into the club for free and can even get free drinks for the last ten minutes of every hour.

The music is always the best in town, and with lots of beautiful women, occasional drag shows, nearly naked men dancing on bars, 70s style disco lights and some of the world’s most famous DJs spinning jams, you’re sure to have a great time dancing the night away at Queen.

Hours: Daily Midnight-6 am
Address: 102, av des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris
Metro: Georges V

Le Sanz

Because I lived in the 20eme arrondissement in Paris, I loved hitting up some of the clubs located near the Bastille. It was always a whole lot easier and faster to get home after a long night of drinking and dancing. Le Sanz was one of my very favorite spots to hit with a wide variety of great music (which I always appreciate); keeping people winding and grinding to funk, Latin, and hip-hop. This club was also a great place to escape the house and techno beats that so many of the other Parisian clubs bump all night. It also has a great pink modern baroque design scheme and a slightly more laid back clientele.

Hours: Sunday-Thurs 9 pm-2 am, Fri-Sat 9 pm-5 am
Address: 49 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011 Paris
Metro: Bastille

Le Baron

The thing about Paris is that there are LOTs of very stylish, beautiful, and even famous people who us lowly regular folk have to somehow find a way to compete with when hitting the clubs. At this tiny club in the 8eme; you’re definitely going to have to look your best to get in the door (there is limited room inside). However, once you’ve made it past those pearly gates, the atmosphere is welcoming. The club hosts both some of the city’s best DJs as well as featuring live music acts; stars like Bjork and Sofia Coppola have frequented this hot spot.

*Note, this club is not to be confused with Le Baron Rouge, a popular wine bar in Paris.

Address: 6 Avenue Marceau, Paris 75008
Metro: Georges V

Rex Club

This Parisian dance factory always draws a big crowd. They have been coming in swarms since the mid-1980s for the jams spun by a host of top DJs. With a booming sound system and thumping, house and techno beats make Rex club one of Paris’ most popular dance spots. Though depending on the DJ that night, you may also get some reggae, funk, rock, and hip-hop. While you may have to wait a while in line to get into this hot spot, you’ll have plenty of time to dance until the sun comes up as this club stays open until 7 am.