If you’ve been through Paris you would know Le Marais.
It’s that cool and central area where the gay culture and the old Jewish community strangely coexist; where trendy kids and curious minds wonder around through vintage stores and cute little streets.
Nighttime differs greatly from what goes on in broad daylight, so let us take you straight to the cool spots.
If you’re only looking for gay bars, you don’t need us – they’re everywhere.
LA CANDELARIA
Meet La Candelaria, a scruffy looking Mexican restaurant where the backdoor leads you directly into a ‘secret bar’. Low key lighting, wood on the walls and awesome cocktails!! Who knew? Well, now you do.
Address: 52 Rue de Saintonge, 75003, Paris
Hours: Sunday – Wednesday 12:30 – 11:00pm; Thursday – Saturday 12:30pm – 12:00am
LE PARISIEN
The guys from Chez Jeannette (see The Clubbers Guide To Paris Part One) opened this other place just under a year ago. It’s chilled for an afternoon coffee, and full of interesting people after 9pm. Perfectly located between the 10th and the 3rd for a more serious vibe.
Address: 337 Rue Saint-Martin, 75003 Paris
Phone: 01 42 72 11 33
LE VERTBOIS
Amazing food and delicious wine, this place is by far my favourite in Paris.
Book a table outside if the weather’s fine, you’ll love it.
Phone: +33 1 42 71 66 95
Website: Restaurant Le Vertbois
LE MARCHÉ DES ENFANTS ROUGES
You must check out the famous Rue de Bretagne and it’s Marché des Enfants Rouges for delicious food. But that’s only until 4pm.
LE PROGRÈS, LE FACE BAR
At night, you can choose depending on your mood.
Be cool and have a glass of Red at Le Progrès. It’s a typical Parisian brasserie and it’s full of good-looking people. Once was the epicentre of coolness.
Or have a couple of Mojitos at Le Face Bar, just down Rue des Archives. It’s nice and cozy, and owned by two sexy brothers.
Le Progrès
Address: Address: 1 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
Phone: +33 1 42 72 01 44
LE CONNÉTABLE
Now when all of this is done and you’re too lazy to cab it, take your mates and head straight to Le Connétable. Another sloppy bar with one important difference: it closes much later. Which means that after everyone is done looking cool in the many bars of Le Marais, they all gather in this pub to finish the night in no style.
Address: 55 Rue des Archives, 75003 Paris
JACKETS
Jackets is a rock bar owned by three super cool Parisians: Charaf and John from Le Pompon (one of the trendiest places in Paris, unfortunately closed now), and Andrew Woodhead (from the band Singtank and brand Surface to Air). If you’re tired of Le Marais’s overpriced bars, embrace your inner biker attitude and have a cheap beer while still staying extremely cool, of course.
Address: 20 Rue de Picardie, 75003 Paris
LE MARY CÉLESTE
If you’re an oyster eater, the Mary Céleste should please you. Very happening, very new, not too pretentious – everything we like, in short. The wine selection is as divine as the crowd. Special tip: there’s a happy oyster hour from 5 to 7 pm.
Address: 1 Rue Commines, 75003 Paris
LA PERLE
Really? Do we stilll have to introduce this bar? La Perle is the ultimate trendy café where people don’t mind rubbing against each other as long as they get their dose of coolness. Warning: the crowd is très fashionista.
LE WOOD
We love this brand new place, especially for its decoration. It’s a futuristic cabin, a mix of wooden decor and a modern feel – the perfect blend of nature and design.
On top of that, the staff are amazing (ask for Fabien or Vince, they’ll make you the best cocktails in town), and the food is dope – try the weekend brunch.
Address: 1 place Thorigny, 75003 Paris
LE DERRIÈRE, 404 and L’ANDY WAHLOO
At the number 69 of Rue des Gravilliers, you can either have delicious Moroccan dishes at Restaurant 404, French comfort food in the eclectic restaurant Le Derrière (meaning: “behind” or “butt”, your choice) or incredible cocktails at the Andy Wahloo. As pop and arty as its name, this bar is the perfect place to sip a mojito before heading out to a club.
L’Andy Wahloo
Address: 69 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003 Paris
Address: 69 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003 Paris
Address: 69 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003 Paris
LE SILENCIO
Speaking of clubs: this one is quite something. Designed by David Lynch, Le Silencio is the ultimate hip place to be by night. Chance of getting in? Between 5% and 10%. But if you’re lucky or well accompanied, you’ll make it. Is it worth it? We’re still asking ourselves that question. But for the love of Blue Velvet, let’s say yes.
Address: 142 Rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris
LE SOCIAL CLUB
If you got rejected at Silencio or if it’s too uptight for you, walk a few meters up that same street and go to Social Club. Way easier to get in, less chic, more electronic. Check out the line-up, sometimes it’s worth it. We’ve seen SBTRKT, Miss Kittin and James Blake play there.
Address: 142 Rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris
Get all up in the hottest local knowledge from our troupe of Contiki Insiders:
The Graffiti Guide To Unveiling Berlin’s Street Art (Part One, Part Two and Part Three)
The Epicurean Guide To Chowing Down On Asia’s Best Eats (Fancy French and Luxe Budget Eats Editions)
The Skateboarder’s Guide To Australia’s Best Skate Spots (Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra Editions)
The Clubber’s Guide To Paris (Parts One, Two and Three)
