20 Best Trendy Districts for Nightlife in Paris

20 Best Trendy Districts for Nightlife in Paris

*Originally published by Natalie on February 28th, 2020, and Updated by Vanessa in October 2022 and by Vanessa M in September 2023 and Updated by Vanessa R in October 2023

Only those who have previously visited Paris will understand just how much this city comes to life once the sun goes down.

All across the city, we find hotspots for nightlife and entertainment. The diverse nature of each of Paris’ arrondissements makes every nightlife hub equally as unique. The bottom line is that there is something for every taste, every budget, everyone… you just have to know where to go.

Consider indulging in some culinary pleasures from the Paris food tour to enhance your evening before stepping out.

1. The Latin Quarter

5th and 6th Arrondissement

The Latin Quarter is on Paris’ Left Bank, right on the edge of the Seine River.

It’s a very old part of the city; one where historic cafes live on, having been established in times long before Picasso or Hemingway even took to Paris’ nightlife scene.

Paris, Quartier Latin Photo by Ninara on Wikimedia Commons

More mature folk will enjoy the street-side dining and ambient eateries, while students revel in the bars and pubs that line the streets offering cheap beer and tequila. The Latin Quarter has been a student-oriented district since back when Latin itself was the spoken language of this land.

Click here for more information on the best bars in the Latin Quarter. 

2. Le Marais

4th Arrondissement

Moving just across the Seine water onto the Right Bank, le Marais is considered to be one of Paris’ most trendy and exciting districts.

Known as the queer quarter, le Marais caters to a variety of partygoers but mostly under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. Gay clubs, lesbian bars and queer-friendly cafes are found in abundance, all guaranteed to be some of the wildest nights out available in Europe.

Le Marais free tour provides insights into the unique charm of this district.

Le Marais – by Jean Robert Thibault – Wikimedia Commons

Aside from this, le Marais is also a hub for Paris’ most fashionable crowds. They roam the streets hopping from cafe to cafe, sipping fine French wines and chatting trends, politics and feminism until the early hours of each morning.

Click here for more information on the best bars in the Le Marias

3. Piaglle

18th Arrondissement

Pigalle is a district in the far north of Paris; it sits at the foot of Montmartre hill.

Pigalle was once the city’s official Red Light District, and the remnants of these times are still very much alive in this area. Think of Pigalle as one long strip of bars, restaurants and theaters.

Peep shows rule the district once it’s dark enough to keep attendees somewhat anonymous, and you’ll find an undeniable element of risqué in just about every establishment on the main road.

Pigalle – by Lola Delabays – Unsplash

This is what makes Pigalle, Pigalle! Once a district where one’s inhibitions could be thrown into the wind, people still love coming here as a sheer form of escapism and wild fun.

This is also the home to Paris’ infamous Moulin Rouge cabaret venue. If this is an attraction you intend to check out while in the French capital, it’s likely you’ll venture through Pigalle either before or after your show… or both!

Click here for more information on the best bars in Pigalle 

4. Belleville

20th Arrondissement

Belleville is our nightlife district of the far east. This was famously the district in which the beloved Edith Piaf grew up, and here memory is still very much preserved by the people here today.

Belleville’s nightlife scene is similar to Pigalle’s in that everything seems to take place on one main strip. In Belleville, affordability is the order of the day and you won’t find any overpriced alcohol or food.

Belleville – by Myrabella – Wikimedia Commons

Belleville likes to keep it real. The nightlife makes much use of the sidewalks, and as nights get older will move into grimy dive bars and live music venues nearby. This is a very artistic part of Paris so don’t be overwhelmed if you feel like the least hip person in the world while here. 

Click here for more information on the best things to do in Belleville 

5. Bastille

11th Arrondissement

Bastille was late to the nightlife table in Paris, having only become a truly worthwhile place to party during the late 90s.

It quickly adopted entertainment options of all kinds, making it a place where everyone can go for some fun after dark. Whether you’re into live bands, jazz bars, techno clubs, Latino dance venues, or even funk parties, it’s available across the Bastille district.

This is a club-goers hotspot; a neighborhood where you can hop between venues quite easily on foot. In the summer it’s hot and sticky, and in the winter it’s refuge from the cold city streets.

Bastille – by Kaihsu – Wikimedia Commons

The Bastille also has a thriving LGBTQ+ scene with queer bars and a few clubs. While these will identify themselves with the flags displayed proudly at the entrances, all nightlife venues in Bastille make an effort to be safe and open to everyone.

Click here for more information on the best happy hours in Bastille

6. Oberkampf

11th Arrondissement

Oberkampf is like an extension of the Bastille; they are both part of the 11th arrondissement, and are within walking distance of one another.

When things get too wild in the Bastille, people will venture to Oberkampf for more controlled bars and clubs. Similarly, some people choose to start their nights out in Oberkampf where things are considerably calmer, and then make their way into the Bastille to carry them through until four in the morning.

Rue Oberkampf – by Patrick Nouhailler – Wikimedia Commons

DESIGN YOUR PRIVATE PARIS TOUR NOW   »

Rue Oberkampf offers fabulous happy hours all along the street every evening between 6pm and 9pm.

Click here for more information on the best bars in Oberkampf

7. Canal Saint Martin

10th Arrondissement

The Canal Saint Martin is a district that surprises me every time I visit. It’s comparable to a Pandora’s Box of nightlife; the more you choose to open it the more it seems to hold.

The Canal Saint Martin starts with the the strip that lines the canal itself; a road filled with international cuisines and stylish cafes. Each evening, particularly in the summer, both the banks of the canal and the outdoor seating of these lining establishments are filled to the brim with people just getting started on their nights on the town.

Canal Saint Martin – by Xuan Nguyen – Unsplash

After sundown, they will usually move deeper into the district to the many cafes and bars that line the streets. It’s a very youthful and social part of Paris.

Click here for more information on the best things to do near the Canal Saint Martin

8. Sorbonne

5th Arrondissement

Sorbonne is on the Left Bank, also against the edge of the Seine. This is Paris’ hottest university district, given that this is where Sorbonne University’s main campus is situated.

Like the Latin Quarter, nightlife here is young, cheap and usually centered around pubs and dive bars. Drink specials are the order of every day; two for one drinks, €1 tequilas and half-priced pints of beer make for a cocktail of drunk & disorderly teens.

Sorbonne – by Gerd Eichmann – Wikimedia Commons

If you’re young, broke and in the mood to get black out drunk, then Sorbonne is the district you probably want to start in. From here you’ll move with the masses through to the greater Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhoods. 

9. Montmartre

18th Arrondissement

Montmartre is the district on the hill, just above Pigalle. While Pigalle is the sexy, seductive strip of bars and entertainment venues, Montmartre is more of a reserved entity when it comes to nighttime in Paris.

In Montmartre, the nightlife exists within a few isolated cafes that are scattered between the winding streets the escalate up to the summit. For some, drinking in a relaxed cafe until the early hours of the morning screams “Paris!”, so Montmartre does well with intellectual, conversational types who aren’t partial to music so loud they can’t think.

Montmartre – by Matthee van der Plas – Unsplash

Those willing to delve a little deeper into Montmartre will find some of Paris’ most unusual bar concepts existing peacefully in the district. One of them being a bar designed like the inside of a very small, very intimate hotel room from back in the Bohemian era.

There are also some fabulous cabaret venues in this district. Check out the historic Lapin Agile cabaret. 

Click here for more information on five unusual bars in Montmartre 

10. Saint-Germain-des-Prés

6th Arrondissement

Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter are within short walking distance of one another. While also predominantly a student village, Saint-Germain-des-Prés does have a more mature element to it I feel.

by Arash Asghari – Unsplash

There are fantastic cafes and jazz lounges in this district; most of which the raucous student crowds tend to actively avoid. One can also a variety of Old English pubs in this neighborhood; generally, beer is cheap so you’ll encounter a mix of age groups, but good fun and great food nonetheless.

11. The Marais

3rd Arrondissement

One of Paris’ most popular and active nightlife areas has emerged in the historic Marais. A vibrant gay and lesbian subculture is also present there.

12. Charonne

BEDHAE CHARONNE DISTRICT, PARIS

Charonne has a quaint, village-like atmosphere that is accentuated by allotment gardens, cobbled alleys, and Église Saint-Germain de Charonne, which is known for its 13th-century tower and cemetery and is one of only two church graveyards left in the heart of Paris.

Charonne is made up of a patchwork of old industrial buildings and winding residential streets. The region is known for its stylish nightlife, starting with the Mama Shelter hotel, which has a rooftop restaurant and ultra-hip bar, and the Flêche d’Or arts and entertainment venue, housed in a former train station.

14. Montparnasse

75014 Paris, France

The vibrant Montparnasse district used to be the center of the arts, where Picasso and Matisse frequented establishments like La Rotonde and La Coupole, both of which are still operating in opulent Parisian style.

The Musée Bourdelle features Antoine Bourdelle, Matisse’s mentorcolossal ,’s sculptures. However, the current Montparnasse, with its broad roads of chain stores and stylish independent boutiques, is more about shopping than art. The summit of the Tour Montparnasse, where the Ciel de Paris bar-restaurant is located, offers the greatest views of the city.

15. Canal Saint-Martin

10th Arrondissement

You may wander along the almost 200-year-old waterway in the Canal Saint-Martin neighborhood, which has long been known as a hip location. Consider getting some tacos and burritos from El Nopal in Mexico and finding a seat by the canal outside. There are several wonderful bistros to pick from if you prefer table service; we recommend the wildly popular La Vache dans les Vignes wine cellar with its cheese-themed decor. When you’re thirsty, you’re close to historic neighborhood hangouts like lunch favorite Chez Prune or eccentric Le Comptoir Général. For fashionistas, there are the stores on rue Beaurepaire and rue de Marseille.

Click here for more information on the best bars in Saint-Germian-des-Prés

16. République

11th arrondissement

By strolling around the streets of the 11th arrondissement, you might find your new favourite nightlife spots. République has a wide variety of nightlife options, including music and bars. This neighbourhood will teach you how to party like a local in Paris. Take a moment to picture yourself relaxing in Le 114’s comfortable sofas while enjoying some pop or rock music.

Head to Le Bric à Brac early in the evening to partake in their happy hour and a few cocktails. The city’s liveliest club nights are at Nouveau Casino, so hurry there. The Crowne Plaza Paris République is a hotel that offers excitement, enjoyment, and comfort, so make sure to book a room there if you want to try them all.

17. Grands Boulevards

9th arrondisement 

The Grands Boulevards are another nighttime star in Paris, stretching from Place de la République to Grands Magasins. This area certainly understands what culinary treats and amusement are all about with its abundance of cafes, restaurants, brasseries, and nightclubs. Your evening adventure starts at De La Ville Café. This ancient marble building has a colourful past, having been a brothel, an upscale restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, and now an elegant and posh café-restaurant.

Afterwards, take advantage of the opportunity to mingle with the top DJs at Rex Club. Include all of these in your nighttime schedule, and for the cherry on top, make a reservation at Moris Grands Boulevards, the hotel that will help you achieve your ideal night.

18. Champs-Élysées

8th arrondissement

Suicasmo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris’s 8th arrondissement is where another unforgettable evening is waiting. There are many upscale stores, theatres, and coffee cafes in this area. The high-end shops, hotels, and restaurants are what make this place so popular despite the number of clubs and pubs.

Late-night shopping is the name of the game here, from Guerlain and Ladurée to Louis Vuitton. The greatest place to look fabulous before moving on to another neighbourhood for a wild night is, in fact, here. The Maison de Lignières – Bed & Breakfast Paris – quartier Champs-Elysées is available to help you arrange your day and night tour!

19. Petit Bain

13th arrondissement

Coup d’Oreille, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 13th arrondissement is home to Petit Bain, which is anchored on the Seine. It has a restaurant, dance club and rooftop bar in one incredible space. This location is ideal for a wild summer night out dancing and is well known for its art displays and concerts. Indie folk, rock, jazz, and even minimalist Norwegian pop are all included in the lineup, so check it out in advance!

20. Supersonic

11th arrondissement 

Supersonic is a well-liked location for young residents of Paris to dance and enjoy live music because practically every night (apart from DJ nights) admission is free.

There is plenty of room to be wild in this two-floor venue, although occasionally it means you have a poor view of the stage.

5 Best Cocktail Bars in Paris

Les Ambassadeurs

The bar Les Ambassadeurs at Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, located on Place de la Concorde, embodies the quintessential Parisian attitude. The mythological address, which overlooks one of the world’s most beautiful squares and has a patio beneath the arcades, is a one-of-a-kind venue that enchants both Parisians and visitors with inventive cocktails and complimentary live music.

Photo by Engin Akyurt from Pexels

Discover their newest cocktail menu, which includes fourteen signature creations inspired by the people who pass by their windows every day. The bar Les Ambassadeurs, is an enduring witness to the city’s rush and bustle: brave fashionistas, adventurous voyageurs, and clever students all congregate on Place de la Concorde. The menu, designed like a board game, enables you to roll the dice and walk in the footsteps of those great Parisians for a few moments.

Read more on 15 Great Things to Do in Paris at Night

Practical information

address: 10 Pl. de la Concorde, 75008 Paris, France

hours:mon-sun: 5 pm-1 am

website: LES AMBASSADEURS

Little Red Door

For almost a decade, this charming and cosmopolitan nightspot entered through a red door in the delightful Paris area of Marais, has been a near-constant presence on The World’s 50 Best Bars. That longevity is due to reinvention rather than classicism. Little Red Door has never stopped questioning cocktail customs and how they are delivered to visitors.

Photo by Isabella Mendes from Pexels

Alex Francis and Barney O’Kane, the bar’s current drinksmiths, continue to carry the creative torch: their latest menu, Flourish, builds on the bar’s new approach. Little Red Door’s farm-to-glass concept places seasonal ingredients and their producers at the center of the bar experience – and the decor, with producer images now adorning the walls.

As a result, expect cocktails with basic names like Carrot but flavor wizardry behind them. This is certainly a cosmopolitan setting with sophisticated drinks, but it also serves a more profound purpose: to link people to the products they consume. All of this adds up to a very eco-friendly concept, which helped the bar win the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2022.

Practical information

address: 60 Rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, France

hours:mon-sun: 5 pm-2 am

website: LITTLE RED DOOR

Bar 228

Le Meurice is one of Paris’s most prestigious hotels, and it also has one of the city’s top bars. The hotel decided to turn its library into Bar 228, yet much of the old décor remains. It keeps all of the trademarks of a refined reading environment, with stacked bookshelves and dark wood walls, but now you can also have a lovely cocktail.

Photo by Prem Pal Singh Tanwar from Pexels

Sink into one of the bar’s sumptuous leather seats and raise your head to admire the beautiful hand-painted ceiling. Try the distinctive Le 228 cocktail, a light blend of champagne, pear, lychee, and raspberry. In addition to a variety of handmade cocktails, the bar has historic champagnes and over 50 Scotch whiskies, which are presented in bespoke Riedel glasses.

Practical information

address: 228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France

hours:mon-sun: 12 pm-1 am

website: BAR 228

Bar Arbane

L’ Arbane is a small jewel in the center of Saint-Germain-des-Pres. This slightly trendy and comfortable setting will entice you for a few drinks. And, yeah, this is where you can sample some excellent cocktails.

Photo by On Shot from Pexels

L’Arbane has a large selection of Signature drinks, with something for everyone! Dry, sweet, fruity, sour, bitter, short, long, whatever the bartender recommends. They also serve a variety of vintage cocktails. The bartenders, who are mixology masters, will offer you a list of original signature cocktails.

This glamorous bar offers mirrored walls and some of the friendliest service in Paris, all in a charming, intimate atmosphere. Their distinctive drinks are delicately balanced and delivered with hand-carved ice.

Practical information

address: 10 Rue Guénégaud, 75006 Paris, France

hours:mon-sun: 6 pm-2 am

website: BAR ARBANE

Hemingway Bar

This tucked-in and compact bar at the Ritz Paris Place Vendôme has a lot to look at. No seat is left empty in a corner, and no wooden wall is devoid of odd memorabilia, whether it’s boxing gloves, a framed airline seatbelt, newspaper clippings, a dried shark’s jaw, or regular business cards.

Photo by energepic.com from Pexels

Despite a multi-million dollar remodel, the place known for being liberated from the Nazis by novelist Ernest Hemingway has its old-world elegance with tufted leather banquettes and bar stools. The establishment is packed with well-heeled tourists shortly after it opens at 6 p.m., looking to enjoy a world-famous cocktail before heading out on the town.

Here are the 15 Most Luxurious Paris Nightclubs

Practical information

address: 15 Pl. Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France

hours:mon-sun: 5:30 pm-12:30 am

website: BAR HEMINGWAY