Paris Nightlife is incredible, and we can show you how to plan an unforgettable late-night adventure.

 

Paris is perfect by day, but Paris nightlife is a magic all its own. Once the sun goes down, the vibe changes. You’ve walked all day, seen the sights, explored a new arrondissement, and maybe did a bit of cafe hopping in St. Germain. Paris by day is wonderful, but in the late afternoon, your mind turns to Paris Nightlife.

 

Paris Nightlife offers something for everyone.

The best part about nightlife in Paris is that you can find something for every taste. Many people may think that clubs on the Champs-Élysées, all-night DJs, cabaret shows near Montmartre, and credit card-melting Haute Cuisine dinners are what Paris Nightlife entails, but in reality, it goes much further. There’s something to fit every taste in Paris after dark, and the best part is it’s incredibly simple to plan a night that works perfectly for YOU.

Look to your interests to build your Paris night.

Just like you did when planning a trip in the first place, look to the things you love to do to help guide your forays into Paris Nightlife. If you prefer a low-key and intimate night out, perhaps a trip to Club Rex isn’t for you. Vice versa if you’re looking for high energy, up late dancing and partying, chances are you won’t want to be lingering over a quiet glass of wine under the lights. Think of the things you love to do after dark already, or the things that you absolutely must see in the historically gorgeous lighting of Paris, and do them!

To embrace Paris nightlife, start in the daytime.

If you’re exploring during the day, take note of places you’d like to see at night. Let’s take a quick step back to the daylight hours before diving into the nightlife. When you’re exploring Paris during the day, take note of places that seem like they’ll take on a different vibe at night. Restaurants, bars, cafes, even places like small plazas or beautifully lit streets. Backtracking is okay! Returning to where you’ve been and doing so after dark will give you a new perspective on the neighborhoods, people, and places that make up this great city.

Before you embrace the Paris night, give yourself a break.

This is likely the best tip I can give you to start your night off right, and the sun hasn’t even set yet. After a day of exploring Paris, and maybe a late afternoon aperitif, return to your lodging and take a break. Naturally, you won’t want a long nap, but taking the time to relax a bit and refresh yourself will have you ready to tackle the night in a great mood.

My favorite way to head into Paris nightlife? The pregame bubbles.

My wife and I embrace our differences in traveling, and this is likely the best way that manifests. Whereas she wants to relax and refresh for longer before we head out at night, I’m usually still raring to go. So we started what she termed the “hunt and gather.” When she heads back to the apartment, I head out to take a solo walk to hunt down a not-so-elusive prey: a bottle of champagne.

Once procured, I head back to the apartment, turn on the radio (which you should always travel with) to Paris’ own TSF Jazz , open the champagne with a whisper and not a pop, and share a few drinks while we watch the evening start to settle in. This tradition has led to some of our most fun nights out and is always a great way to take a kind of intermission before starting our night in full.

Alright, let’s get to planning your Paris Nightlife adventures.

I have a couple of approaches to this that work for me and I think you’ll find them helpful. It really comes down to those core tenets that I encourage in all my posts: plan to do things that you already enjoy or have dreamed of seeing instead of going for the things that feel like you’re just checking a box. No matter the type of night you’re heading out for, go for what you love and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience these moments in an entirely new place.

Also: grab a bite to eat. You’ll need the energy.

Your night might be focused around dinner already, in which case you’re all set, but no matter what, don’t go hungry. If you’re looking for a dinner suggestion, you can view my best of Paris map here for a good number of ideas to get you started.

2 approaches to Paris nightlife.

Okay, these are the categories I tend to lean on when planning a night out in Paris: High energy or Easygoing.

I tend to enjoy both in equal measure, but it often depends on how you’re feeling each day of your trip. Some nights I’m ready to go and up for anything, others I’d much rather grab the second bottle of Champagne of the night and sip it quietly in a dim café or near the Seine. Again, it all comes down to being honest with yourself and your companions and knowing what you enjoy.

A High Energy Approach to Paris Nightlife.

Are you raring to go and want to have a truly epic night in Paris? This is the planning strategy for you. Personally, I love to go out for drinks and bounce around the city a bit, making up a little bar crawl or café crawl as I go along. However, there are plenty of options for those who aren’t wanting to imbibe to keep the action level up and the energy flowing. Here are a few suggestions.

Sporting Events are perfect at night.

While the largest annual events in Paris tend to be the French Open and Tour de France, there are sporting events happening year-round that can make for an excellent night out. Not only will you get to see teams and sports you might normally only see on TV, but you’ll be among locals and fellow fans enjoying the same event.

Where and why to watch a live football (soccer) match in Paris.

I’ve always found soccer matches to be the most accessible ticket when traveling, and since it’s a global language, you’ll be in good shape to have a fun night. Paris Saint-Germain F.C. is the biggest club in the city and plays in the excellent Park des Princes. This will be the most costly ticket price, but the atmosphere, players, and fans cheering are all world-class, so I’d consider it worth the investment.

Other options are Paris F.C. and Red Star F.C. These are smaller clubs that nevertheless have a dedicated and passionate fanbase, and matches feel a bit more like a part of the neighborhood fab ric. They’ll take you further from the city center but this isn’t a bad thing. Stay safe and aware of your surroundings and you’ll have a great time.

Rugby is the true Parisian’s sport.

It used to go that Rugby was a Parisian’s favorite sport, and they looked down on football (soccer) a bit. While PSG FC’s success over the past two decades has changed this attitude, Rugby still remains immensely popular in the capital. Stade Francais is the main club in Paris and conveniently plays next door to Le Parc des Princes at Stade Jean-Bouin. A night game here will have the kind of atmosphere and entertainment that any sports fan will love.

Keep an eye on the schedule at Stade de France. The largest stadium in France sits north of the city center and plays host to the French National Teams in both football and rugby, along with hosting other events through the year. Check the schedule here and if it works with your trip, a visit to the stadium with a packed house of 80,000 fans will be an unforgettable experience.

Concerts of all types.

So the sporting events will require a bit of a trek away from the city center to enjoy. But if sports aren’t really your thing, I would definitely suggest seeing a concert while you’re in Paris. Not only is the city dotted with historic and incredible music venues, but the variety of shows on offer nearly every night of the week means you’ll likely be able to easily find the perfect one for you.

The perfect concert to see in Paris.

The variety on display is great, but it can be one of those “spoiled for choice” moments. If possible, and you’re a big music fan, choose to plan your trip around your favorite artist’s stop in Paris. Alternatively, if there’s an artist you’ve been dying to see but they rarely tour in the US, Paris is a likely stop for them if they’re based in Europe. My wife and I did this to see the artist Myd a few years ago, and it was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had abroad. Finally, you can focus on a specific genre of music to guide your choices.

A night at the opera (or the house music show).

The before and after of a concert is almost as fun as the show itself at times no matter what you’re seeing and it helps to make this a complete night. When I attend concerts I love to pop into a bar nearby for a pre-show drink and blend into the crowd, soaking up the excitement. If you’re choosing to go to a show that requires a bit of dressing up (like the Opera or a chamber music recital in a church) you can opt to have a more refined dinner and beverage at a fancier place, further building out your evening with a common theme. Don’t be afraid to seek tickets to one of Paris’ elegant venues like the Palais Garnier or Odéon, They’re surprisingly more affordable than you’d expect and you’ll be living one of my main tenets of smart travel: experiencing a place rather than just getting a picture of the outside.

After the show it’s fun to linger in the area of the concert venue. Discover a different café or bar to sit down, relax and discuss the show with your traveling mates. You never know, you might end up discussing it with others who were in the audience, making even more connections.

Finding Concerts in Paris.

I find resources like Bands in Town and Resident Advisor to be the most useful sources for finding concerts in Paris by date. You can also pick up L’Officiel des Spectacles at a news stand or Tabac to see what’s happening near you. This weekly periodical comes out every Wednesday.

Check out this post for the best concert venues in Paris for some of my favorites, and use their individual sites to see the schedule. Places like the excellent Caveau de la Huchette have music nearly every night of the week, so even if you aren’t planning a whole trip around a special show there are many opportunities to see live music no matter when you’re visiting.

Exploring Parisian Nightlife a glass at a time.

Admittedly, I’m a person that loves to learn about a place over a fresh glass of beer (and especially champagne when in France). So one of my favorite nights out is to grab a snack then head out and bar or café “hop” around the neighborhood! This is the most freeform way of spending a night out but I’ve always enjoyed doing it for getting a taste and vibe of the neighborhood we’re visiting by seeing some of the local watering holes.

Now I’m not your mother and I know you’re a responsible adult but I’d be remiss to not say something here. When choosing to drink, do it responsibly no matter where you are. You probably aren’t driving in Paris but NEVER drink and drive. Opt for walking, mass transit or ride share when needed. And always be respectful of those around you. Some of the coolest places in Paris stay cool because tourists aren’t acting terribly in them so let’s keep it that way. Be a good guest and go as the locals go, respectfully while having a good time.

The Parisian bar crawl

You can make a pretty great evening out of exploring the local haunts in nearly any of the central arrondissements. Areas like Saint-Germain, Montmartre north of Pigalle, Le Marais, Quartier Latin and the long Boulevard Montparnasse are loaded with bars, cafés and restaurants. Choose an area that appeals to you and start walking until you find a spot that you’d like to stop in.

When choosing places to have a drink, I naturally do a lot of research in advance to find clusters of solid spots. If I’m out and looking to be spontaneous I’ll opt for places that don’t have English signs and have a nice buzz to them. Another trick is to look at the super crowded spots near the center of such areas, and walk a little way away. Why? The popular joints are often times the most attractive to tourist crowds and by simply walking a few doors down, you’ll wind up at someplace that’s a bit less crowded and a bit more local. A difference of 15-20 feet can make a huge difference here!

And it must be said that in nice weather, there’s not much better than sitting outside on a café terrace at night with the city swirling around you.

Transitioning to a more relaxed night.

The bar crawl is a good way to transition into the lower energy type of night out. In all honesty, you could go for hours just meandering from bar to bar relaxed as you like (or flaneuring if you’re feeling that first glass of champagne and your French is suddenly more confident). And that’s usually where I wind up, bouncing from bar to bar chatting with my wife about our trip. There’s also the chance you’ll look for something a bit more high energy once you reach this point. While I’m not huge on the big clubs along Champs-Elysée, I do really dig places like Rex Club, and any dive bar pumping music past midnight (like the delightfully dark La Vache Folle in Saint Germain) is worth a stop for the party to continue into the wee hours.

Paris Nightlife on the down low.

For all its glitz and sleepless nights, Paris has always seemed like an old soul. That might be part of the reason I love it so much. So it’s by no means a surprise that if you want to have a more chill evening, you will in no means be missing out if that chilling is done in Paris. In fact, taking an easygoing approach to Paris nightlife can be extremely fulfilling!

Look for smaller nightlife events

As we always encourage living like a local while traveling, the sunset is another time to put this into practice. Keep an eye out for events that are more neighborhood-focused to enjoy at night. Things like nighttime markets, concerts in churches or karaoke in a favorite neighborhood bar are all excellent events to enjoy at night and they’ll have the local atmosphere you’re looking for.

A simple search for “local events in 6th arrondissement Paris” will open up more localized recommendations for your itinerary. Tailor this to whatever arrondissement you’re spending time in and you’ll be amazed at the events happening all around. Additionally, the Paris tourism office is a sneaky great resource for events in Paris that a lot of people miss. Their calendar is regularly updated and can give you a snapshot of the time you’ll be in Paris.

Café too crowded at lunch? Check it out after dark.

It’s abundantly clear that the thousands of cafés in Paris serve as hubs for residents and visitors alike. Many can be incredibly crowded during the day, but the mood shifts after the sun sets. If you saw one such place on your meanderings, take note! Returning to a café at night is a great way to experience the vibe shift, and get a more relaxed atmosphere. Parisians tend to eat dinner later than Americans are used to so heading out as the cafés re-open for dinner is a good time to beat the crowd. Not only that, but the evening air and beautifully lit streets will have you sighing as you tuck into a glass of your favorite beverage and soak in the scene.

A new view of popular sights.

Odds are some of the major sights in Paris are on your wishlist. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame all spring to mind. The issue is, these are on everyone else’s itinerary as well! If you’re able, these are perfect sights to see once the sun goes down.

Not only is the crowd reduced, but the monuments look even more stunning lit up against the night sky. What’s more, if you’re hoping to go up in the Eiffel Tower or visit the top of the Arc de Triomphe, both of these sights are open fairly late into the night. And this is a timeframe not always considered when people plan their trips so the crowd you deal with will be significantly more manageable.

Paris Museums after dark

If you’re someone who loves museums, Paris is an obvious destination. But what might not be so obvious is that you can visit many of these treasures after dark! Many museums around the city have special nighttime hours each week, and the best part is a great deal of them offer free admission. Even the incredible Musée du Louvre allows free entry after 6 P.M. (1800 hours) on the first Friday of each month (other than July and August).

Not only is this a unique way to experience the exceptional museums in Paris, but you’ll also avoid the larger crowds and sometimes get in free! The architecture and artworks both inside and out take on a particular elegance in the evening light. Spending a few hours casually perusing without a crush of tourists around is a great way to enjoy your night. For bonus immaculate vibes, bring along some headphones to listen to calming classical music while you stroll the galleries.

Paris Nightlife is the Perfect Time for Night Air.

We already know that a picnic in Paris is one of the best ways to eat, drink, and be merry on a budget. But it honestly gets even better once the sun starts to set. Picture yourself on the banks of the Seine, bottle of champagne in hand, radio set to your favorite music, and the sights and sounds of Paris at night unfolding before you.

Here’s how I like to do it: Head out to a grocery store, specialty store, or liquor store nearby. It’s definitely more fun to go local and purchase your snacks and drinks from markets or local shops rather than the big grocery stores, but points to the chains for convenience. Snacks and beverages in hand, grab some cups if needed from the hotel or apartment you’re staying in (make sure it’s plastic or glass for champagne!) and then head somewhere special to sit and enjoy.

An out-of-the-way bench is perfect for this. Some of my favorite locations to have a nighttime snack and drink are on the many bridges over the Seine (especially Pont des Arts and down the stairs at Pont Neuf.) Anywhere along the Seine is excellent, especially the hidden spots that require you to head down stairs in order to reach them. Finally, I’ll say some of the major sights are ok choices, but will likely be more crowded. Parks are less desirable after dark but if you’re in a well-lit area consider it an option.

Tip: Open container laws aren’t really a thing in Paris, and you’ll likely notice many locals have the same idea to enjoy a self-packed beverage al fresco in these locations. However, public intoxication is frowned upon so as always, be polite and discreet.

There’s always room for music after dark.

I know, up above I recommended a high-energy concert as a perfect night out. But this can also apply to those of us looking for a more relaxed approach to Paris nightlife. If you’re a fan of jazz or classical music, you’re in luck. There are numerous places around the city that cater to a more relaxed atmosphere for those seeking jazz at night.

One of my favorites for this is Chez Papa, which ranks in my favorite music venues in Paris. The atmosphere is relaxed, and you can grab dinner if you’d like before the show. Reservations are required and you’ll have to call or stop by in advance for that. However, you can absolutely show up later on to see if there’s any openings. Be polite, say “Bonsoir” and ask for a table for your party. We’ve had great luck doing this and even got moved to better seats later on in the evening as the crowd shifted.

If you’re looking for other options, the excellent Paris Jazz Club website has a fairly comprehensive listing of jazz concerts for any given night, so check it out and see what’s nearby that strikes your mood.

As always, stay safe

Heading out at night is always fun and you’ll make some amazing memories. But, as always, stay safe by being aware and remembering a few important tips.

Paris is a safe city overall.

As we’ve highlighted before, Paris is overall a very safe city. Venturing out after dark is no different, especially if you keep your wits about you, stay aware of your surroundings, and keep an eye on your belongings. Avoid unlit areas and be extra vigilant or avoid problem areas like major train stations, Les Halles, and the northern Portes near the périphérique road.

Enjoy Paris nightlife, but watch out for the inebriated

There is, unfortunately, a decent chance you’ll come across young intoxicated people making a ruckus. Areas around Les Halles and some of the train stations are known for this, and in general, it’s merely a nuisance. But in any location keep an eye out for people that have been over served and might be a bit more unpredictable.

Take public transit, but be wary of the last train times and locations.

We’re big fans of Paris and its easy-to-use Metro system, but be careful after dark. Check the timetables for the last trains of the evening and be extra safe with your belongings when taking the train at night. If on the RER, make it a goal to not take the last train of the evening or choose to use ride share or a taxi instead.

Keep your Paris nightlife fun, personal and unique

There you have a couple of approaches to Paris nightlife: high energy or low key. Most importantly, keep in mind the things you enjoy doing, and don’t force yourself into the mold of the “typical” night out in Paris if that’s not your thing. This trip is about you, your tastes, and the things you love to do. Paris is a place to be enjoyed at your own pace and in your own way.

On the other hand, it’s beneficial to be aware of what’s happening in the neighborhood where you’re staying and take the opportunity to embrace local customs. Nearly every arrondissement in Paris hosts localized events that can be discovered with a quick search, so be sure to do this to find any fun, unique, and unmissable events happening while you’re in town.

I hope you have a wonderful time exploring Paris nightlife. Please let me know your favorite things to do in the City of Light after dark in the comments!