Popular nightclubs in Paris
Discotheques, clubs, nightclubs: call them how you want, we all go there for the same reasons. We want to dance! And meet new people, have fun with our friends, laugh, and dance again until the finale song.
The first Parisian nightclub opened in the 1960’s. Today, some venues continue to be very popular, among all generations. Here are some of the best nightclubs across the 20 arrondissements:
- Rex Club Paris: located near Grands Boulevards, the club mostly welcomes techno lovers. Entrance fees range between €10 and €15.
- La Machine du Moulin Rouge: this three-floor venue hosts an eclectic program (amapiano, techno, house, afro beat, electro, cumbia) and is located in the lively Pigalle district. Entrance fees: €15-€30.
- Le Duplex: a three-room venue with various theme nights and DJ guests, near the Champs-Élysées. Tickets cost between €10 and €15.
- Badaboum: this club, also called Bada by regulars, is located in the crowded Bastille neighbourhood. The Badaboum club is very popular with young adults. Entrance fees: €10-€25.
- Cabaret Sauvage: this unique and original venue hosts DJ sets near La Villette, Paris 19. Tickets are priced between €10 and €30.
- Alimentation Générale: music and dance lovers are crazy about this eclectic club in Paris 11. Afro, amapiano, disco, house, electro… you can move your body to all music genres in this Parisian nightclub. Entrance fees: €0-€15.
Now, the big question is: are the most popular nightclubs in Paris worth your money?
Are they worth it?
People go to nightclubs to socialise, have fun, seek an escape from a long and stressful week, find potential life (or night) partners, and dance. Other reasons include being part of the social scene, celebrating special occasions, such as birthdays or engagement parties, and fashion. Many people enjoy dressing up before heading to the club with their friends. Outfits are often bold, glamorous and sexy.
Dancing means improving your cardio, reducing stress and having such a great time. You should try!
The nightclubs with the most eclectic programs will please most of the people in your social group, but if you really enjoy a type of music – let say house, we recommend that you go to a club where this particular genre is king. It’s the same with DJs. If you like a DJ, go to the nightclub where they have a regular residency.
Nightclubs are great places to socialise and dance until your feet hurt so much that you have to take your shoes off. Please don’t; you don’t want to walk barefoot on the dancefloor or, worse, on the sidewalk. Some clubs even have multiple dancefloor areas, for different age groups or genres.
But if you have a limited budget, are tired of bouncers refusing to let you in, or just want to change your social habits, continue to read. We have a great alternative to offer…
What we dislike
Nightclubs, and more specifically, Parisian nightclubs, are popular, but they present some cons. People tend to complain about the following, among others:
- Price: if you go out every week, entrance fees become expensive – even more if you go to selective nightclubs. The thing is: you spend money just to go inside the venue, but then you feel obliged to stay, even if you are not having a good time. Just because you paid a dear entrance ticket…
- Dress code: some clubs and bouncers are very selective regarding dress code. If they don’t like your shoes, your coat or your dress, they will not let you in. It is very frustrating when someone from your group of friends can’t enter the nightclub because everyone must then walk to another venue. Usually, you have to queue for quite a while before knowing if you can go in or not.
- Having to book a table: some Parisian nightclubs request that you book a table for your group if you want to dance under their roof. Be ready to spend hundreds or thousands of euros to do so.
- • Opening hours: most nightclubs open around midnight, which forces party goers to organise “before parties”, at home, or go to a bar, then to the club. And if you want to dance before 11 p.m. in this type of venue, good luck.
But don’t worry, we have the solution for you!
Alternative option: late-night bars/h2>
Today, Parisians prefer to stay in bars with a dancefloor instead of going to nightclubs: it’s cheaper, there is no overstimulation, and it’s good craic!
Nightclubs vs late night bars
Late-night bars are legion in Paris: Le Marais, Pigalle, Grands Boulevards and Bastille are great party and dancing spots.
With late night bars closing around 5 a.m., people can spend their entire night at the same place and still have great fun. Usually, they meet before or after dinner, have some drinks, then start dancing as soon as the live music goes on. Some bars even have yearly resident DJs.
Nightclub vibes without splashing out
The main reason to go dancing in a bar is the fact that the majority of them are free. No need to pay an expensive entrance fee: if you don’t like the vibe, you can go somewhere else without feeling remorseful.
And you can spend the money you saved on delicious cocktails or tequila shots.
Great spots for dancing: