La Bellevilloise
This place actually dates back to 1877 as the first Parisian cooperative. The initial project consisted of gathering all modest people (not very Parisian nowadays, but we digress) and presenting them with political education and culture in one place. Since then, it has evolved into a multidisciplinary set: cultural and social events, presentations, media coverage, concerts, shows, exhibitions, screenings, fashion shows, a café and last but certainly not least, a club. The entire building is divided into sections which include a loft area, the forum (aka the club), the olive hall (possibly the area where you can experience more of that live music/band scenario) and the terrace to just…chill. Either way, you’ll definitely find a place where you fit in.
ADDRESS: 19–21 Rue Boyer (20th arr.)
MÉTRO: Gambetta (line 3)
NUMBER: 01 46 36 07 07
NEIGHBORHOOD: Belleville
INSTAGRAM: @labellevilloise
Le Caveau de la Huchette
The temple du swing, a place to experience your first jazz club is you’ve never thought of it before. Every evening since 1946, a jazz orchestra has been playing inspired by the Cotton Club era. The place really showcases why ‘Paris is a party’: from top jazz players to getting highlighted in the infamous movie ‘La la Land’, the club holds true to the chill nighttime vibes that Paris has to offer. If you’re up for a night out on the town but don’t feel like throwing down shots just for you to feel ashamed the next day, this is the place to go. Have fun, drink (moderately) and get introduced to a music genre you never thought you could jam to before.
ADDRESS: 5 Rue de la Huchette (5th arr.)
MÉTRO: Saint-Michel Notre-Dame (line 4)
NUMBER: 01 43 26 65 05
NEIGHBORHOOD: Berges de Seine
INSTAGRAM: @caveaudelahuchetteofficiel
Le Pop-Up du Label
From live jazz on Tuesdays to a cosy atmosphere for small concerts, this location has an extensive agenda for when it comes to planning your next live music outing. You’re bound to find something you love (although hearing someone playing an instrument in a room full of people that match your energy is an experience in itself). There isn’t just the musical culture of the club though, but a culinary one too. Eat your fancy meal at the place’s restaurant and then go into the concert hall (low ceilings and a steamy mood) to listen to whatever band they decided to showcase that night. For more precise details, check out their music calendar on their website to see who is next up.
ADDRESS: 14 Rue Abel (12th arr.)
MÉTRO: Reuilly – Diderot (line 1 or 8)
NUMBER: 01 77 11 04 24
NEIGHBORHOOD: Aligre
INSTAGRAM: @popupdulabel
La Mécanique Ondulatoire
So you have a particular music taste. Or you just know that tonight, you want to listen to one genre and one genre only: yes, it could only be…good old fashion rock and roll (and some punk). From DJs to live bands, the location has a fully stocked bar for you to enjoy as you bop your head up and down to the tunes. Here’s a good way to describe the atmosphere: grunge posters and stickers all over the walls/bathroom stalls, stone cave-like ceilings, pinball machines and a general rock spirit. It is known for its authentic rock style in the Bastille area.
ADDRESS: 8 Passage Thiéré (11th arr.)
MÉTRO: Bastille (line 1, 5 or 8)
NUMBER: 01 43 55 69 14
NEIGHBORHOOD: Bastille
INSTAGRAM: @lamecaniqueondulatoire
Pop In
An upstairs lounge and a cellar for live indie music. Get yourself a Guinness or draft beer (or any other drink for that matter), and awkwardly dance from side to side with your mates to a number of different artists. Again, grunge is plastered all over the walls, with graffiti and posters that really ties the atmosphere of the place together. You can experience either a full band moment or a single artist with an acoustic guitar (to each its own). When there isn’t live music, the bartender doubles as a DJ, shuffling songs from his spotify playlist (it’s still good, don’t worry)
L’Alimentation Générale
If you’re not honed down to a specific music genre and want to continue discovering new types of music (those who don’t, you know who you are), this place is for you. Their motto is to present open-minded people with a diverse range of music styles in their weekly agenda. Soul, punk rock, world groove, boogie boogie; seriously, there is just about anything that could tickle your fancy. Of course, drinking with friends is a given but you can also order small snacks (i.e. hotdogs) from the bar.
ADDRESS: 64 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud (11th arr.)
MÉTRO: Parmentier (line 3)
NUMBER: 09 81 86 42 50
NEIGHBORHOOD: Oberkampf
INSTAGRAM: @alg_paris
Les Disquaires
Jazz, soul, funk, song, electro, hip-hop, cumbia, Afro-Caribbean music, Brazilian music, pop, new scene and (of course) the DJ’s takeover of the turntables on the weekends. Unlike most of the bars on this list, this pub likes to keep things minimalistic. Known for their delicious cocktails and friendly service (don’t overlook this trait, you are in Paris afterall), they are one of the few more chill places to hang out at (don’t misunderstand this to mean ‘boring’, the music is on fire) — the club is open until late so it’s never too late to party like a Parisian
ADDRESS: 6 Rue des Taillandiers (11th arr.)
MÉTRO: Ledru-Rollin (line 8)
NUMBER: 01 40 21 94 60
NEIGHBORHOOD: Bastille
INSTAGRAM: @lesdisquaires.club
Le Motel
Ah yes, the place where the electro-pop-rock clientele meet on a regular basis. The bar is stocked with flavorful cocktails (try the vodka-lime-strawberry and mint) and of course, happy hour. For a live bar in Paris, it also known to be relatively cheap so ‘I can’t, I’m broke’ isn’t an excuse is this scenario (sorry, you need to make the most of being in Paris). Check out their DJ and event nights to see if there is something which you would like more (I’m talking to all the picky music tastes out there). Otherwise, go spend your last cents here…you won’t regret it
