Where to Drink + Dance in Paris

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Ober Mamma

Paris, France

When night falls, Ober Mamma glows gold like a beacon, calling on Oberkampf locals to let loose. Designed by London-based interiors guru, Alexander Waterworth, the space is joyfully eclectic. Skip the lengthy queue for the restaurant – the sourdough pizza is cheap and damn tasty – and hop onto one of the blue barstools instead for cocktails, charcuterie and cheese. Pinched from one of London’s hottest establishments, Chiltern Firehouse, Nicola Battafarano headed up Ober Mamma’s cocktail bar at launch, meaning the list and staff are world class. While service is five-star, there’s none of the stiffness that all too often plagues the upmarket. This is a buzzing local hangout, where concept, design and vibe are all bang on.

Address

107 Boulevard Richard Lenoir 75011

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Brasserie Barbès

Paris, France

Barbès may be edgy but there’s nothing shabby about the latest addition to the scene in this up-and-coming Parisian neighbourhood. With its huge panoramic windows and open-air patio terrace, Brasserie Barbès is quite simply a beautiful space. Open from early morning until late night, it serves breakfast, cocktails and everything in between.

Address

2 Boulevard Barbès 75018

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Glass Bar

Paris, France

Broken mirrors, a light-up dance floor and disco balls set the scene. Here you’ll find a selection of boilermakers (a shot followed by beer) as well as gourmet hot dogs to line your stomach. Got the idea? Run by the NYU grads Josh Fontaine and Carina Soto Velasquez Tsou of Candelaria and Le Mary Celeste, Glass Bar is a perfect spot to let loose with friends. If you tire of it, head across the road to Dirty Dick – a tiki bar with everything from totem poles and taxidermy to bird songs playing in the bathroom

Address

7 Rue Frochot 75009

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Gravity Bar

Paris, France

The stylish interior of this drinking den is what makes Gravity Bar stand out from the rest of the recently opened bars and restaurants in Canal Saint-Martin. Housed in a vaulted space with a slatted ceiling that creates a wave-like roof descending behind the bar, Gravity is one of the hottest hangouts on the popular Rue des Vinaigriers. Expect a bit of wait as the place is usually packed inside and on the terrace.

Address

44 rue des Vinaigriers 75010

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Les Jardins de Pont Neuf

Paris, France

Set on the water’s edge the floating bar and restaurant is inspired by a tropical setting with palm trees and 70s-esque rattan furniture. With next-level views, make sure to get a table outside on a sunny day to make your visit to La Terrasse at Les Jardins de Pont Neuf truly worthwhile.

Address

Quai de l'Horloge 75001

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Paname Brewing Company

Paris, France

Paname Brewing Company is the coolest new spot on the Canal de L’Ourcq. With exposed brick and piping as well as large wooden tables, this micro craft brewery would not look out of place in East London or Brooklyn. Despite being a bit out of the way in the 19th arrondissement, it’s open seven days a week from 12PM to 2AM and is the perfect setting for an afternoon turned evening drinking session. On a summer’s day, drinkers flock to the floating outdoor terrace and watch as Parisians play pétanque on the water’s edge. When you tire of this spot, head to Le Pavillon des Canaux next door.

Address

41 bis Quai de la Loire 75019

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Le Sherry Butt

Paris, France

Located on the edge of two of Paris’ coolest neighbourhoods, Bastille and Le Marais, Le Sherry Butt is an elegant yet laid back cocktail club with candlelit corners and velvet sofas setting the mood. It is known for exquisite cocktails with homemade ingredients (like pine nut syrup) and its top class selection of whiskeys available by the glass. DJs spin on weekends.

Address

20 Rue Beautreillis 75004

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Le Montana

Paris, France

Located in Saint Germain-des-Prés this is a popular spot for fashion week, but is a hit with fashionistas all year round. Le Montana is a VIP club co-owned by French businessman Jean Yves Le Fur. Designed by Vincent Darre, the club is monochrome with botanical prints and a parlour bar creating the perfect setting for debauchery. The club has seen the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Kate Moss, Mick Jagger, Prince and Leonardo DiCaprio dancing to french pop and throwback hip-hop. The clientele means this is one of the hardest clubs to get into in Paris – get a table or perfect that dressed-down Parisian cool look. If you get annoyed by snooty bouncers, this one is not for you.

Address

28 rue Saint-Benoît 6e 75006

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Artisan Bar

Paris, France

The horseshoe-shaped bar is the central feature at Artisan Bar, with vintage mirrors and an olive tree adding to its effortlessly cool air. Located in Pigalle, it is a welcome respite from the more raucous bars nearby (expect slightly higher prices) with smooth soul and jazz playing all night long.

Address

14 Rue Bochart de Saron 75009

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Mama Shelter

Paris, France

The somewhat odd location in the Eastern Parisian suburb of Bagnolet is actually part of the appeal of the ultra-hip Mama Shelter hotel. Apart from serving the best Sunday brunch in Paris in its ground floor restaurant and terrace, this unconventionally funky budget boutique hotel, with its minimalist design by Philippe Starck, also has one of the city’s coolest rooftops. As a non-resident, you can book a table on the terrace for dinner (weather dependent) or if you want a blow-out night you can book the whole thing for a candle-lit private party under the stars.

Address

109 Rue de Bagnolet 75020

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Terrass Restaurant Bar

Paris, France

The top floor of the newly renovated Terrass Hotel in Montmartre has been converted into a leafy green oasis with panoramic views of Paris, including the financial district and the shimmering Eiffel Tower. While the restaurant is arguably one of the most romantic dinner venues in town, the chilled-out rooftop bar has an impressive cocktail list. Reservations can be made at the (indoor) panoramic restaurant and tables on the terrace are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Address

12-14 Rue Joseph de Maistre 75018

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Le Louxor

Paris, France

One of Paris’ best-kept secrets can be found just across the road from Brasserie Barbès. Situated on top of a beautiful vintage cinema built in 1921, abandoned in 1988 and finally renovated and re-opened in 2013, the terrace of Le Louxor offers a high-quality selection of food and drink before and after its film screenings. Take this as an opportunity to brush up on your French film culture, followed by a delicious meal overlooking the Sacré Coeur.

Address

170 Boulevard de Magenta 75010

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Le Comptoir Général

Paris, France

If you’ve never sipped your cocktail in a pirate ship before, it’s time to get acquainted with Le Comptoir Général. Walk down Canal Saint-Martin and keep a beady eye out for a large, industrial green gate (there’s no sign) and a black-clad man wearing headphones. That is the bouncer; he’ll stare you down and, with a bit of luck, step aside to let you in. The premise includes a restaurant, bar, hairdresser and shop, all done out in bright, beautifully aged colonial style. But you’re here for the punch, so make straight for the bar, located inside a great big pirate ship. Angry-looking bartenders pour naughty amounts of rum into different punch bowls, which they serve Caribbean style. Then it’s up to you to find a sink-in sofa or bamboo chair and lap up the vibe. With bright, vintage artwork on the walls, rum barrels and palm trees aplenty, it sets you back to a different time. It doesn’t look like Paris, but it’s where you’ll find the coolest locals of all ages.

Address

80 Quai de Jemmapes 75010

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Le Perchoir

Paris, France

In Paris, summer happens at Le Perchoir, the rooftop bar of all rooftop bars. With panoramic views over the city and a curated calendar of DJ sets chosen by Karl de Radioooo, the buzz here is constant. Book in for lunchtime on Saturday or Sunday and free up your diary for the rest of the day (and the following morning). You’ll want to dedicate every ounce of energy you’ve got to zingy dishes of ocean fresh tuna, too much wine and expert cocktails on repeat. When you’re on a rooftop with Paris’ party crowd, you don’t leave.

Address

14 Rue Crespin du Gast 75011

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Andy Wahloo

Paris, France

This Moroccan-meets-pop-art bar is a surreal mishmash of brilliance. Brought to Paris by the Algerian Mazouz brothers, famous in London for their fashion-forward restaurant and art space, sketch, Andy Wahloo nods to Warhol’s eccentric and varied life. Come here and you’ll find a varied bunch of low key chic creatives, artists, musicians and writers. If the Fitzgeralds still lived, this is surely where they would party. The bohemian glamour is made up of golden, blue and pink-tinged colours, bright prints and North African artefacts with hanging artwork, while the cocktails and wine list are influenced by North America. In essence, Andy Wahloo was simply created for city cool cats to come and relax in a comfortable setting. It’s a small space, which gets busy in the late (or very small) hours and is perfect for socialising.

Address

69 Rue des Gravilliers 75003

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Alcazar

Paris, France

Bringing the forest to Paris, this Saint-Germain bar takes the term “urban jungle” very seriously indeed. Marble floor tiles are kept on their toes by pink neon lights and lush green plants burst from every angle. The Balcon Bar on the first floor looks down onto the restaurant, but it’s where the party’s at. From Wednesday to Saturday at 10PM, live DJ sets ensue and in-the-know Parisians come to dance, socialise and chill out with a killer cocktail. Come slightly earlier to make the most of their reduced price bar menu, which includes a drink and a main for 27€. And yes, the kitchen is Michelin Guide approved. No surprise, then, that Alcazar don’t need to bend over backwards to get people through the door. In fact, they try to keep it hush hush. The bonus? Get on well with the bartender and the end of your night will be fuelled with complimentary shots.

Address

62 Rue Mazarine 75006

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UC-61

Paris, France

It’s probably the last thing you’d expect in Paris, but how about sipping in a submarine? UC-61 is located right near the Arc de Triomphe, but is little known by the masses of tourists that frequent the area. Pay careful attention – this speakeasy has no outside signage, only a tiny buzzer you have to press to be granted entry. The well-engineered cocktail list is certainly a draw, with a host of originals nodding to French history, like Simone de Beauvoir, a rye whiskey, Benedictine and chocolate bitters concoction named after the legendary second-wave feminist. The mark of a great bar, though, is adaptability; ask for any classic and they will make it happen. The teeny space is decked out just like a submarine, with nautical touches that hark back to owner Eric Bulteau’s childhood spent playing on top of a WWI German submarine wreck on a beach in northern France. Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday during summer.

Address

4 Rue de l'Arc de Triomphe 75017

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The Herbarium Bar

Paris, France

The Herbarium Bar at the Hotel National Des Arts et Métiers throws traditional cocktail menus out of the window and proposes drinks inspired by perfumes that use spices, flowers and botanical herbs. Nibble on Venetian-inspired tapas dishes as you note how the dimmed lighting and leather bar counter make you feel like film noir extra. The pièce de résistance? A rooftop bar with a hard-to-beat views of the city.

Address

243 Rue Saint Martin 75003

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Grand Pigalle Hotel

Paris, France

Upon entry, the first thing you’ll clock is the impressive size of the bar, which takes up significantly more space than the hotel reception area. Come here to have a good time; there’s a welcoming and casual atmosphere, as well as a constant stream of young Parisians filing through the door. Settle into one of the black-leather chairs or the soft grey-velvet sofas, before enjoying a classic cocktail. Sample Italian cheese and charcuterie plates, washed down with one of the 200 Italian wines on offer.

Address

29 Rue Massé 75009

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Flight Night

Paris, France

The Hotel Bachaumont’s rebirth in 2016 (the original closed in the 1970s) provided a dream design opportunity, led by architect du jour Dorothée Meilichzon and resulting in a sumptuous art-deco creation. Head to the seductive Flight Night bar, with its dark wooden walls and comfortable sofas. Drag yourself away from these intimate surroundings to savour some French classics in the hotel’s contemporary brasserie, where you’ll feel like a part of the action thanks to the open kitchen.

Address

18 Rue Bachaumont 75002

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Le Roch Restaurant & Bar

Paris, France

Le Roch is an oasis not far from the hustle and bustle of The Louvre. It opened its doors to the public in July 2017, although the building dates back to the 19th century. French designer Sarah Lavoine collaborated with architect Vincent Bastie, creating an elegant home away from home with a relaxed vibe. Before you order your drink at the bar, take a moment to visit the library, dining room and courtyard garden, which highlight Lavoine’s signature style of clean lines. Relish the colour palette of peacock blue, sage and teal, and note the thick carpets underfoot – a nod to the weaving style of the Berber tribes of North Africa. Sink into the sofas by the fireplace, where attentive staff contribute will leave you in no doubt as to why this quintessentially Parisian address is proving so popular.

Address

28 Rue Saint-Roch 75001

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Titty Twister

Paris, France

Neon signs lighting up the walls urge punters “don’t make sense, make dollars”, while pool tables in the back room add to the laid-back vibe. Titty Twister is the ultimate drinking spot for an international crowd in a venue that meets New York with LA. Are advice – stick to the main area which blasts hip-hop and house until close.

Address

5 Rue de Berri 75008

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Le Mano

Paris, France

The ultimate bobo (boho-bourgeois) late-night hangout, La Mano is ultra popular with 20- and 30-somethings journeying from Oberkampf, Rue de Rennes and everywhere in between on a pilgrimage for party vibes and a killer tequila sunrise. Whether you’re keen on salsa or electro night, this ex-Mexican restaurant always puts a wonderfully Latin American twist on the evening, so prepare for mezcal and tapas galore.

Address

10 Rue Papillon 75009

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Le Perchoir Marais

Paris, France

Without a doubt the hottest spot in Paris right now, this über-trendy roof terrace, situated on the top floor of the BHV department store in the chic Marais district, opens its doors Thursday through Saturday night when the shops downstairs close. Offering cocktails, finger food, top DJs and a spectacular 180-degree view that includes the Eiffel Tower, Hôtel de Ville, Notre Dame and Bastille, this is the place to be seen lounging away the night in the French capital. No reservations so be there early or get ready to queue.

Address

36 Rue de la Verrerie 75004

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Rosa Bonheur Sur Seine

Paris, France

Rosa sur Seine is the latest offering from the team behind the immensely popular Rosa Bonheur in Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. The guinguette tavern on the waterfront offers more of the same in a central location – situated just below the Alexandre III Bridge, with the Eiffel Tower glittering in the background. The crowd is laid-back and unpretentious, the music is upbeat and the pizzas from wood-fired oven on the riverside terrace ensure you don’t leave hungry.

Address

Pont des Invalides 75007

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The Hoxton

Paris, France

The Hoxton has purposely been designed so that visitors forget they are in a hotel. Get cosy with a cocktail in the Jacques’ Bar – inspired by the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech – with its sweet bespoke cocktail menu. Blush-pink poufs, tasselled lamps, comfortable armchairs and floral wallpaper make it easy on the eye and a relaxed location for catching up with friends.

Address

30-32 Rue du Sentier 75002

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Lulu White Drinking Club

Paris, France

This late-night spot in Pigalle is a raucous, rowdy affair, in the best possible way. The dimly lit and glamorous cocktail den is named after an infamous New Orleans "mistress of the night" – so has found its way to the right part of town, as Pigalle has something of a seedy history… Specialising in slinging classic Louisiana style cocktails, the New Orlean’s inspired cocktail menu features classics like Ramos Gin Fizz and Sazerac, as well as absinthe-soaked offerings poured from the fountain at the bar centre. In true New Orleans style, brass and jazz bands provide the music, and it gets loud. The crowd are up for it, and after slip of absinthe you will be too. Finding your way to Lulu might be your only hurdle – the unmarked door on the Rue Frochot is indicated only by a neon scrawl a few metres away, but summon your adventurous spirit and give the unmarked entrance a push. You won’t regret it.

Address

12 Rue Frochot 75009