Top 20 Great Things to do on a Friday Night in Paris

Top 20 Great Things to do on a Friday Night in Paris

Updated by Vanessa M in July 2023.

It’s Friday night and you’re in the city of lights, the city of love, the French capital: Paree!

Spoilt for choice is the best way to describe what you’re probably feeling in search of what to do and where to go. I’ve got a few ideas…

Read also; 15 Great Things to Do in Paris at Night

1. Dine Out on the Town on a Friday Night in Paris

The best way to start any weekend in Paris is with a nice dinner somewhere on the town. Regardless of where you are staying, you should be able to take to the streets and find your way into the nearest bistro, bouillon or brasserie that calls to you.

Things usually unfold from here; festivities in Paris tend to never stay in one place for too long.

Eiffel Tower – by Dietmar Rabich – Wikimedia Commons

2. Drink at a Street Cafe on a Friday Night in Paris

Dining in street cafes usually turns to drinking in street cafes. Parisians cafes tend to serve food by day through to mid-evening, and then turn into vibrant drinking spots until the early hours of the morning.

Music is played, people will spill out into the streets, you’ll be hit on about five times an hour… good fun, good fun.

3. Visit a Techno Club on a Friday Night in Paris

If techno is your musical preference, or you simply want to go dancing somewhere that won’t close at 2am, then Paris’ electronic clubs will carry your Friday night well into Saturday morning.

Pigalle and the northern districts are usually the best places for nightclubs. Few people know that the iconic Moulin Rouge actually has an electronic nightclub attached to the premises called  La Machine du Moulin Rouge.

There are also many techno clubs in and around Bercy village in the south.

by Alexander Popov – Unsplash

4. Go Bar Hopping in Belleville on a Friday Night in Paris

For a neighborhood that aims to please on a Friday night, one can always put their faith into Belleville.

This district thrives on nightlife, entertainment, live music and great drinks. It’s a youthful, vibrant part of Paris, where gentrification has yet to sink its teeth into the graffiti-filled streets.

The Rue de Belleville is a grand strip of bars and music venues, one that you can easily hop your way down as the night grows older.

Rue de Belleville – by Akuppa John Wigham – Wikimedia Commons

5. Attend a Theatre Production on a Friday Night in Paris

Fancy a musical at the Folies Bergere? Or perhaps an operatic performance at the Opéra Garnier?

Friday nights in Paris are filled with theatre, and tickets to just about all of them will sell out if you don’t book early.

If the thought of a grand theatre sounds daunting, look into the more intimate Théâtre du Ranelagh in the 16th arrondissement. It’s one of my favorites.

Read also; Things to do in Paris at night

6. Visit the Louvre Museum for Free on a Friday Night in Paris

Even the Louvre Museum wants to get the people of Paris out and about on a Friday evening.

Every Friday from 6pm until 9:45pm, entrance into this historic museum is absolutely free to all. You’ll see the queues of people forming around the giant pyramid from just before sunset. No need to worry about arriving early, everyone is usually through the doors within the first fifteen minutes of the session.

Some people worry that just under four hours on a Friday evening is not enough time to experience the entire Louvre. It isn’t; but you shouldn’t fuss too much over this, and rather enjoy the fact that you’re inside this unfathomable space after hours (it doesn’t open at this time on any other days of the week).

by Bharat Patil – Unsplash

7. Watch Live Jazz on a Friday Night in Paris

My personal favorite Friday evening pastime.

It’s Friday night and the Parisian jazz bars are coming to life. Jazz in Paris tends to start late; usually around 10pm. There’s time for dinner and a few drinks before settling into a gig.

Locals will argue whether the best French jazz lies on the Right Bank or the Left. Having visited almost all of them, I stand with the left. Sorbonne is packed with places; Le Piano Vache is a spot I will never tire of.

by Christian Chen – Unsplash

8. Enjoy Cabaret at the Moulin Rouge on a Friday Night in Paris

Another Parisian industry that come to life every Friday evening is cabaret.

Fridays are big nights at the Moulin Rouge! They usually consist of back to back performances and dinner shows. They tend to sell our days in advance, so if this is where you want to end your week you’ll need to prebook.

Alternatively you can head to the Lido or the Crazy Horse, where tickets might still be available at the door.

by Lola Delabays – Unsplash

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9. Have a Dinner Party in Your Airbnb on a Friday Night in Paris

Wild idea but why not stay in this Friday in the French capital? If you’ve put time and effort into renting the perfect Airbnb for your trip, why not take advantage of the space and treat yourself & your friends to a night of homemade food and good wine?

Have your playlist of new age French artists at the ready to set the mood!

by Antenna – Unsplash

10. Sing Karaoke on a Friday Night in Paris

When it’s late, you’ve had one too many and the Parisian street bars begin to close, there’s usually two options for what to do: go eat late night kebabs, or go sing karaoke.

The latter almost always wins the vote, and most of Paris’ karaoke lounges stay open until the early hours of the morning to cater to the incoming packs.

I get asked about this Friday night activity so often that I put it into a 10 piece article: read more here!

by Anna Earl – Unsplash

11. Visit Eiffel Tower on a Friday Night in Paris

Visiting the Eiffel Tower at dusk is a fascinating experience because night has its own beauty. It’s like watching the stars on Earth to see the City of Lights all lit up for the evening.

The night is when nature’s lights dim and the city’s lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower’s powerful outlines and arches. As you climb the well-lit tower’s stairs, take in the distinctive ambiance.

Stefan Krause, Germany, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You can enjoy fantastic views of Paris at night while exploring the many gastronomical delights in the Tower. Go to the top of the Tower and have supper while looking out over the charming metropolis of Paris, which shines with city light.

Read also; 5 Unmissable Midnight Strolls To Take in Paris

12. Seine River Cruise on a Friday Night in Paris

Take a twilight Seine river tour in one of Paris’ cruise tours to see the City of Light glitter as you cruise down the Seine!

Choose between a simple night cruise or a dinner cruise on one of these iconic vessels, and whether you’re a gourmet or not, you’ll be wowed by the Paris sunset from the Seine – and astounded when you pass beneath the famous illuminated arches.

Photo by Robert Stokoe from Pexels

As your river boat sets sail for your tour, you’ll quickly realize why seeing Paris at night from the Seine is an unforgettable experience, whether you’re with a partner, family, or friends.

13. Explore Montmartre on a Friday Night in Paris

Are you looking for the best night walk in town? This is it! Visit this one of Europe’s most famous regions. Your nighttime stroll through your chosen streets will allow you to experience what life was like in the past.

DimiTalen, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

It’s always less crowded and more peaceful at night. You can get to highlight the most interesting and significant sites in this famous location while here.

14. Go on a picnic at Champ de Mars on a Friday Night in Paris

The Champ de Mars gardens surround the Eiffel Tower, where you may experience authentic Parisian life. Relax, wander, and play in the lovely gardens with French families who have been visiting for decades.

Hadonos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

If you choose a supper picnic, the Eiffel Tower will light up for several hours as darkness sets, providing a spectacular view. If you enjoy stunning views, it provides a wonderful vantage point on various capital monuments, including the Iron Lady, but also the Trocadero and the Military School.

Read also; Alone in Paris: 20 Things to Do as a Solo Traveler

15. Take a stroll in Latin Quarter on a Friday Night in Paris

Mark Bonica from Durham, NH, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you want to spend a night out in the City of Lights the Latin Quarter is a good place to start. When the sun goes down the lights in this neighborhood turn dazzling neon. Simply walk down Rue Mouffetard or Rue de la Huchette and you should be able to find a selection of clubs and bars.

16. Party on a Bateau-Mouche on a Friday Night in Paris

Visit to Paris gives you an exciting evening that begins with a Bateaux Mouches Dinner Cruise from the Pont de l’Alma.

bigup21, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You’ll enjoy an aperitif and appetizers, four excellent courses, a quarter-bottle of both red and white wine, and coffee to finish. This will be followed by a non-alcoholic version of the famed Crazy Horse show.

17. Paris Night Market on a Friday Night in Paris

A night market celebrates a good and passionate way of life in the Grande Halle de la Villette. This event is free and open to the public, and it is arranged around five themes: zero waste, green tech, green fashion, ethical home, and a village of designers and craftspeople.

There are also seminars, talks, musicals, and concerts, as well as the famous Paris Night Market food court with its bars and mulled wine.

18. Try Hidden Speakeasies on a Friday Night in Paris

Speakeasies are among the hidden treasures that Parisians of all eras adore. If you are unfamiliar with the concept, they are “simply” concealed bars inspired by the prohibition era and whose staging is frequently startling.

LittleOrphanDani, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sometimes it’s as simple as removing the correct book from a bookcase and entering the correct password. You must solve a puzzle to gain access to subsequent areas.

Some are so carefully concealed that you’ll have to investigate a laundromat, a grocery store, or even a restaurant kitchen. Once discovered, these hidden bars reward you with frequently really inventive cocktails to sip in a completely unique atmosphere.

Speakeasies are a requirement when going out in the capital, whether it’s to surprise your pals with a surprise aperitif, to meet up for a date with your crush, or simply for the joy of discovering gorgeous Parisian locations.

19. Visit Sacré-Cœur on a Friday Night in Paris

Sacré-Coeur is one of the most popular nighttime destinations in Paris and the white-domed church is breathtaking when illuminated. By visiting the basilica at night, you will be treated to an extraordinary panoramic picture of the capital, which is sleeping yet still shining.

Hteink.min, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Basilica of Sacré-Coeur is also accessible throughout the night via the prayer relay that takes place. The faithful follow one another to pray throughout the night at the Basilica’s Home reception.

Did you know that the Butte Montmartre is the city’s highest point? Enjoy the beautiful vistas of the city and the joys of Paris at night from this destination.

20. Experience Le Marais Nightlife on a Friday Night in Paris

At first look, nightlife in the Marais appears to be mostly a gay scene…If you take a quick look around rue des Archives and the corner of rue du Temple, you will notice that it is very manly and cruisy.

Read also; 15 Best Trendy Districts for Nightlife in Paris

Photo by Barbara Galeane from Pexels

However, this is not the only way to have a good time in the Marais, a genuine cosmopolitan district where everyone can enjoy the joys of the night. Every type and every style has a place.

Dining out, even as late as 5 a.m., enjoying a cocktail at any time of night, dancing, meeting new friends, or having diabolical sex parties..le Marais has it all.

One more activity, ironically better suited to a Friday day as opposed to night, are any of the free guided walking tours though Paris’ city center. Add these to your list of things to do — they’re incredible!