When it comes to the gay nightlife scene in Paris most venues are dotted around Le Marais district. Discover the best on offer with this quick guide to the friendliest, sexiest and most unapologetic gay clubs and bars in Paris.
1. Cud
Address: 12 Rue des Haudriettes, 75003 Paris When everything is closing in Paris, the party at Cud is just getting started. A simple cave bar situated in the Marais, Cud is where you’ll find Parisians socialising with tourists after hours. Open from 11.30pm until the sun rises; make this hotspot your last port of call.
2. Les Souffleurs
Address: 7 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris A difficult-to-find gem that makes the hunt worthwhile with its hip design, young crowd and carefully curated tunes mixed by in-house DJs. Offering an irresistible happy hour that swoops from 6pm to 9pm, this stylish gay bar is small but bursting with character and a friendly mix of men and women.
Marche des fiertés à Paris. Gay pride de Paris. #marchedesfiertes #fiertes #fierte #gaypride #gayprideparis #gayprideparis2015 #ruedutemple #temple #raiddbar #raidd #lemarais #marais #gay #gayparis #parisgay #lgbt #soshomophobie #parispride #parispride2015 #marchedesfiertes2015 A photo posted by Gessé Araújo (@gessiempre) on
3. Raidd Bar
Address: 23 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris
Unlike its smaller counterparts, Raidd rules one of the biggest spaces in the gay district. Split across two levels, upstairs is dominated by a live DJ whilst downstairs takes on a lounge bar atmosphere perfect for chitchat or deep conversation. Not to be missed!
4. Freedj
Address: 35 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris
Relaxed vibe, no cover charge and a foosball table, there’s not much Freedj doesn’t offer. Visit during happy hour and you’ll grab two beers or glasses of wine for the price of one. Bargain! Unpretentious, friendly staff and a pay-what-you-want coat room are a few bonus reasons why you should add this to your bar hop list when in Paris.
5. Banana Café
Address: 13 Rue de la Ferronnerie, 75001 Paris
Totally eccentric with extravagant theme nights, go-go dancers and theatrical shows, Banana Café is a vibrant old-timer on the Paris gay scene. Found away from the Marais in Châtelet, this bar has a reputation as being wild, rowdy and a whole lot of fun.
6. Bear’s Den
Address: 6 Rue des Lombards, 75004 Paris
Just as the name implies, The Bear’s Den is an institution on the Paris gay scene for the bears aka the guys who aren’t into trendy clubs-of-the-moment. Sprawling over three floors with a basement dancefloor, this joint gets packed with men who are a little older and lean towards a more ruggedly-handsome look.
7. Cox
#afterafterparty at THIS cray place #clubcox #coxparis #prideparis A photo posted by Hotel (@hotelcreativeuk) on
Address: 15 Rue des Archives, 75004 Paris
A small bar with a big crowd, Cox is a hot favourite on the Paris gay scene. With a lively clientele that teems with butch-looking guys–think: tight shirts and shaved heads–there’s an outdoor terrace for when the heat gets too hot to handle inside.
(Feature image: O Ortelpa)
