Best Themed Bars and Clubs for Nightlife in Paris
Dec, 13 2025
Paris isn’t just about croissants and museums-it’s one of the most electric nightlife cities in the world. Forget the clichés. The real magic happens after midnight, in hidden rooms, retro lounges, and wild underground dens where the music, decor, and crowd all tell a story. If you’re looking for more than just a drink and a dance, you want a themed bar or club that pulls you into another world. And Paris delivers-hard.
Le Chien Qui Fume: A 1920s Jazz Dive That Feels Like Time Travel
Tucked under a staircase in the 11th arrondissement, Le Chien Qui Fume doesn’t look like much from the outside. No neon. No sign. Just a small brass door and the sound of a saxophone bleeding into the street. Step inside, and you’re in a 1920s Parisian speakeasy. Dark wood paneling, vintage posters of silent film stars, and waiters in bow ties serve cocktails stirred with ice from a hand-carved block. The playlist? Real jazz-no remixes, no EDM. Just live musicians who’ve played here for over a decade. It’s not loud. It’s not crowded. But it’s the kind of place where strangers end up talking like old friends by 2 a.m. The signature drink? The Whisper: gin, lavender syrup, lemon, and a single drop of absinthe. You won’t find it anywhere else.La Belle Équipe: Where Parisian Cool Meets Retro Gaming
If you’re the kind of person who’d rather play Pac-Man than dance, La Belle Équipe is your sanctuary. Open since 2012, this bar in the 10th arrondissement is packed with vintage arcade machines-Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Galaga, even a working Sega Dreamcast. The lighting is low, the beer is cold, and the jukebox plays everything from Daft Punk to Patti Smith. The crowd? Artists, coders, students, and expats who came for the games and stayed for the vibe. They don’t do fancy cocktails here. Just solid French lagers, a few classic wines, and a daily happy hour that starts at 6 p.m. sharp. On weekends, they host retro gaming tournaments with prizes like free drinks for a week. It’s not a club. It’s not a bar. It’s a living museum of 80s and 90s pop culture-and it’s always packed.Le Baron: The Glamour Trap That Still Delivers
Le Baron has been a Paris nightlife legend since the 2000s. It’s the kind of place where celebrities slip in through a back entrance and locals pretend they didn’t see them. The theme? High-end glamour meets avant-garde art. Every few months, the interior gets a full redesign-last year it was a neon-lit cyberpunk forest; this year, it’s a mirrored ballroom inspired by 1970s disco. The music shifts with the decor: house, techno, or French pop, depending on the night. Entry isn’t cheap-€20 to €40 depending on the night-but the crowd is curated, the drinks are top-shelf, and the energy is electric. Dress code? No sneakers. No hoodies. Think sleek, stylish, slightly daring. It’s not for everyone. But if you want to feel like you’re in a music video, this is your spot.La Machine du Moulin Rouge: Not What You Think
Don’t confuse this with the Moulin Rouge cabaret. La Machine du Moulin Rouge is a hidden club beneath the famous theater, accessible only by a secret staircase behind a bookshelf. The theme? Industrial fantasy. Think steampunk meets circus. Giant mechanical birds hover above the dance floor. Candles float in glass orbs. The music? A mix of electronic beats and live accordion players. The crowd? Mostly locals who’ve been coming for years, plus a few curious tourists who stumbled in after hearing the rumors. Drinks are served in vintage glassware, and the bartenders know your name by the third round. It’s not loud. It’s not flashy. But it’s unforgettable. Reservations are required. Walk-ins are turned away 90% of the time. If you get in, consider yourself lucky.
Le Comptoir Général: A Jungle Bar in the Middle of Paris
Step into Le Comptoir Général and you’ll swear you’ve been transported to a forgotten colonial outpost in the Congo-or maybe a Parisian artist’s dream. The entire space is a lush, overgrown jungle of plants, vintage African artifacts, hanging lanterns, and mismatched furniture. The bar is made from a repurposed shipping crate. The music? Afrobeat, reggae, jazz, and soul, all mixed live by resident DJs. They serve rum-based cocktails with names like Le Singe Sauvage and La Nuit des Étoiles. The place is open until 3 a.m., and the vibe is warm, welcoming, and deeply weird in the best way. It’s not a club. It’s an experience. Locals come here to unwind after work. Tourists come here to say they saw something real. And once you’re inside, you don’t want to leave.Le Perchoir: Rooftop Views and a Party That Never Stops
If you want to see Paris glittering below you while you sip a cocktail, Le Perchoir is your go-to. But this isn’t just another rooftop bar. There are three levels: the first is a relaxed lounge with couches and string lights; the second is a dance floor with DJs spinning house and disco; the third is a hidden terrace with panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower. The theme? Urban escape. The crowd? Young professionals, artists, and travelers who want to end the night with a view. The cocktails? Creative, seasonal, and never overpriced. The music? Curated, never generic. And the best part? It’s open every night of the week, even on weekdays. You can come at 9 p.m. for a quiet drink or at 1 a.m. for a full-blown party. The rooftop lights up at sunset, and the city glows beneath you. It’s Paris at its most beautiful-and most alive.La Station: A Train Station Turned Underground Club
This one’s for the hardcore night owls. La Station is a former metro maintenance depot turned into a warehouse club in the 19th arrondissement. The theme? Industrial decay meets rave culture. Exposed pipes, rusted metal, flickering fluorescent lights, and a massive sound system that shakes your chest. The music is strictly techno and house, with local DJs who’ve played in Berlin and Tokyo. The crowd? Mostly locals who’ve been coming since 2018. It opens at 11 p.m. and doesn’t close until 7 a.m. The drinks are basic-beer, whiskey, soda-but the vibe? Pure. No pretense. No VIP section. Just music, sweat, and a shared love for the underground. It’s not glamorous. It’s not Instagrammable. But if you want to feel what real Paris nightlife sounds like, this is it.
What to Expect: The Paris Nightlife Code
Parisian nightlife doesn’t work like New York or London. There’s no 24-hour culture. Most bars close by 2 a.m., clubs by 3. Dressing down won’t get you in-especially at places like Le Baron or La Machine. Cash is still king in many spots. Credit cards? Not always accepted. And don’t expect English-speaking staff everywhere. Learn a few French phrases. Smile. Be patient. The best nights aren’t planned-they happen when you wander, ask a local, and follow the music.Best Time to Go
Weekends are packed, especially Friday and Saturday. If you want to avoid crowds, go on a Thursday. Many clubs host special events then-live sets, themed nights, guest DJs. Sunday nights are quiet but magical. Some bars, like Le Comptoir Général, stay open late with acoustic sets and low lighting. It’s the perfect way to wind down before heading home.How to Find the Real Spots
Don’t rely on Google Maps. Use Instagram to search #ParisNightlife or #BarsDeParis. Follow local bloggers like @parisbynight or @lesnuitsparisiennes. Ask hotel concierges for their personal favorites-not the ones they get kickbacks for. And always check the venue’s Instagram or website. Many places don’t update their websites, but their Instagram stories show the real vibe, the dress code, and the night’s theme.Are these bars and clubs safe for tourists?
Yes, most of these spots are safe and popular with both locals and tourists. Stick to well-known venues, avoid isolated alleyways after midnight, and keep your belongings close. Le Chien Qui Fume, Le Comptoir Général, and Le Perchoir are especially tourist-friendly. Avoid unmarked clubs in the 18th or 19th arrondissements unless you’re with someone who knows the area.
Do I need to make reservations?
For Le Baron, La Machine du Moulin Rouge, and Le Perchoir on weekends, yes. Book online a day in advance. For La Belle Équipe, Le Chien Qui Fume, and La Station, walk-ins are fine-but arrive early. Crowds build fast after 11 p.m.
What’s the average cost for a drink in these places?
At casual spots like La Belle Équipe or Le Comptoir Général, expect €8-€12 for a cocktail or beer. At upscale venues like Le Baron or Le Perchoir, drinks range from €15 to €22. Club entry fees are usually €15-€40, often including one drink.
Can I go to these places alone?
Absolutely. Parisians are used to solo visitors. Places like Le Chien Qui Fume and Le Comptoir Général are especially welcoming to solo guests. You’ll likely end up talking to someone by the end of the night. Just be polite, keep your space, and don’t be afraid to say hello.
What’s the dress code?
It varies. Le Baron and Le Perchoir require smart casual-no sneakers, no shorts. La Belle Équipe and La Station are relaxed-jeans and a shirt are fine. Le Comptoir Général is eclectic-wear what makes you feel confident. When in doubt, lean toward stylish but comfortable. Parisians notice effort.