Image by Fred Moussaïan

Irish or British pubs (or so-called) are not lacking in Paris. I would say that there are 3 types of such bars:

- Genuine: which attract loads of expats and show mostly UK and Ireland sport (and in which you won’t be easily understood if you order in French)

- Fake ones which try to reproduce style and atmosphere without succeeding

- Finally, a third category, which doesn’t try to seem genuine, but which manage to develop their own character.

The Gentleman belongs to the third category. There, like in many pubs, you’ll find a Guinness sign outside, most beers on tap and ordered in pints (not “demis”), service only at the bar, and TVs showing live sports. But here the crowd and the staff are mostly made of young, French students (acknowledging the proximity of most of Latin Quarter universities) plus Erasmus ones attracted by the very cheap prices for the area and relaxed atmosphere.

The pub, although small, is divided into three different sections with different atmospheres: the noisy area along the bar with mostly standing people (good for interactions and chatting); the main room, with tables, chairs, and sometimes even a singer, frequented by small groups of friends; and the first floor, quieter (even if the proximity of toilets brings unexpected animation), for private parties or more intimate meetings.

Bar gets crowded between 19:00 and 22:00 but when happy hour ends it becomes easier to get a table and relax, although pints are more expensive then.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The Gentleman | Bars, Music | Pint of Grolsch (happy hour) € 3.50
3 rue Hautefeuille | Quartier Latin | +33140510404
12:00 – 01:45 daily

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Image by Tamara Mesaric

This is a place that doesn’t really need advertising; it is well known to Parisians and their guests. Whenever I came in the evenings, there were more people than actual room for them, and the crowd is very diverse.

The atmosphere is very easy going and nonchalant, it makes you feel like it is the weekend all the time. Especially during the spring and summer period, when the spacious terrace reminds of Mediterranean bars. Lively and vibrant, calm and relaxing in the same time, it doesn’t have a typical big city flair, because it is retracted from the main big streets.

The surroundings are attractive so you have a real choice of bars to visit and check if they are your cup of bar or not.

It is positioned near the “bobo” trendy Rue Oberkampf where there are some nice places too, but this little enclave of original somehow eccentric mix of non pretentious yet special group of bars is a one of a kind.

People come to Lou Pascalou from different parts of Paris (I travel for about 40 minutes, but never regret the trip) but it has also has the image of a neighbourhood bar. During the day neighbours come with their kids playing around, usually well known to the bar owner.

It is not only a place to drink and talk – its specialty is different exhibitions and concerts that take place here. Exhibitions change monthly and concerts are held once a week, usually at weekends.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Lou Pascalou | Art & culture, Bars, Music | Half-pint of beer € 3.00
14, rue des Panoyaux | Belleville/Nation | +33146367810
09:00 – 02:00 daily

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Image by Tamara Mesaric

Popular Fathers is a likable coffee-bar, where you’ll feel cosy and homey. Now open for a year and a half, it took the place of another coffee shop. Today it’s a spot where you can enjoy live concerts twice a week, have lunch (during the week only) or just come to savor the atmosphere or enjoy, for Paris, pretty low prices.

The original interior will remind you of a winery transformed into a living room, topped off by the small performance stage.

The staff is approachable and casual, nonchalant, the atmosphere unpretentious and lively.

Concerts are indie rock style, and you can check upcoming concert events on their Myspace .

Armchairs and colourful lamps will make you feel as though you’re in an extension of your own home. Don’t be deceived by the exterior: once you’re inside, you’ll be charmed by the diverse clientele of all ages, the school tables and wooden trays, and other details that will draw your attention with their unusual, but not excessive, touch.

In a search for good mood and cheap drink, or if you find yourself en route to Montreuil, Popular fathers is definitely worth a visit.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Les Pères Populaires | Bars, Music | Coffee € 1.00
46, rue de Buzenval | Belleville/Nation | +33143484922
08:00 – 02:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Tamara Mesaric

La Bellevilloise is one of the important night life spots in Paris. There are lots of places where you can “live” culture during the day in the city, however the night palette of this kind is not so easy to find.

In today’s version Bellevilloise was opened in 2005 on the spot where there used to be (in 1877) an after Parisian-Commune worker’s cooperative. In those days it was dedicated to education and animation of the workers living in the area.

Today, the place took the same name and the motto is “dedication to light and creation”. Although nowadays you will meet mainly “bobo”(bourgeois boheme) public, but not exclusively.

There are different things going on even at the same time, as it is a music club, an exposition place, a bar and a restaurant with the stage (separated in 4 different rooms). From exhibitions, rock or world music concerts, to dj-ing, interactive workshops, film festivals to even bio markets there is always something interesting to participate in.

Once you are in rue Boyer you surely won’t miss a good concert, either in the nearby club la Maroquinerie (23, rue Boyer) or in La Bellevilloise. The pleasant choice is yours.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Bellevilloise | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Festivals & events
19,21 rue Boyer | Belleville/Nation | +33146360707
Wed – Fri 17:30 – 00:20, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 02:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Tamara Mesarić

Had enough of the city centre? In the Rue de Bagnolet, 20th arrondissement, you can really enjoy a night out. Here are 2 cool places. One is a concert hall Fleched’Or (102 Bis, rue de Bagnolet) and the other is bar Le Piston Pélican. So you can combine the two, but also stay at the bar Le Piston Pélican- things are going on here as well-exhibitions, concerts. Or if you prefer no „events”, a drink at the Pélican can be just enough.

Piston Pélican is a mixture of a local friendly bar, arty on one side, style bistro Parisien on the other. It’s unusual and original, like it’s name. Le Piston means a person that is a connection in “the right places” so nepotism in the hands of pelican.

They have benches with art deco designed tables, in combination with some parodic arty works gets ironic-collage impressions. The cooked eggs at the counter are a funny detail as well as the Pelicans drawings on different parts in the bar.

The atmosphere is friendly, crowded on weekend nights when there are concerts or DJ’s. Other days are calm but not boring, with selected music.

Pelican is not going to disappoint.

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/pistonpelican

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Le Piston Pélican | Art & culture, Bars, Music | Pint (happy hour) € 3.50
15, rue de Bagnolet | Belleville/Nation | +33143711576
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 02:00, Sat 10:00 – 02:00, Sun 10:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Adam Roberts

Tucked away at the back of an attractive, but now little-used 1920s art deco shopping arcade is La Java, the oldest nightclub in Paris. Follow the iron staircase underground for a trip back to a Paris of another era!

Opened in 1923, La Java was named after a particular dance style that was popular in the city at the time. In this inter-war period it saw the career debuts of several people who would go on to be worldwide stars including Edith Piaf, Maurice Chevalier and Django Reinhardt.

Today the venue has been renovated but has kept much of its historical charm. For an authentic night-out in Paris its a great unpretentious place to go. Early on in the evening there is generally live music or stand-up comics, then the dance floor is cleared for clubbers who arrive around midnight.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Java | Bars, Music | Beer € 3.50
105 Rue du Faubourg du Temple | Belleville/Nation
From 19:00 – 06:00 daily

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Image by Adam Roberts

The Baron Samedi is a sensual deity in Haitian voodoo beliefs, but also one of the best bars in Belleville. This atypical bar may be barely a year old, but if I didn’t know that I would swear that it has been here since the 1960s.

I’ve rarely been to a bar in Paris that has such a sense of identity and character, with deep red Chesterfield sofas, New York loft brick, and blackened walls, thick with vintage soul posters. It is a bar that lives above all for music, with the three associates who run the venue being passionate about Northern Soul, funk, R&B, rock and roll, reggae and rap – in fact anything but techno electronica!

They like to compare the bar to ‘a Louisiana cemetery where you drink spiced rum whilst dancing to Desmond Dekker‘, but in reality it is a chilled venue where you feel instantly at home, especially during happy hour when the music is low and you can relax on the Chesterfields.

The particular ambiance of the venue attracts a eclectic selection of artists whose work can often been seen decorating the walls. It also home to regular and unusual events, including poker nights and history evenings, as well as more traditional DJ slots. When the music is turned up, the devilish rhythms bring people onto the dancefloor and the atmosphere gets steamier. The grooves may not put you into a trance, but they’ll make sure you leave with a smile on your face.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Baron Samedi | Bars, Music | Pint of Beer (Happy Hour) € 3.50
12 Rue des Goncourt | Belleville/Nation | +33143573158
18:00 – 02:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Adam Roberts

In all honesty, this is a terrible place to watch music – and yet it is a fantastic venue! The stage is down in the basement, tucked away beside the staircase and often hidden from view behind large pillars, but it is unmistakably a real rock venue, and as an additional bonus, all concerts are free!

Every night of the week at least two or three bands are featured, ranging from those playing their first chords in front of an audience to those with many years’ experience. From folk to punk, you’re never to sure what you’ll get but at least the atmosphere is guaranteed to be electric! The floor is sticky, the music loud and the beer cold. What more do you need?

Details about this spot (Show on map)
L’International | Bars, Music | Beer € 3.50
5-7 Rue Moret, | Belleville/Nation
17:00 – 02:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Adam Roberts

There are few places in Paris that can offer all you need in one place, but this is certainly one of them. Open for an incredible 20 hours a day, it provides customers with everything from the first rousing coffee in the morning to the last nightcap late at night.

I particularly like this place for four reasons. It’s right next to where I live, it has a great terrace at the front, the food is very cheap, and it has a (free) live music venue in the cellar downstairs. A perfect night out is to combine all of them.

Begin with an aperitif on the terrace, then move inside for something to eat before watching an upcoming band after the sun goes down. Not only is it a cheap evening for me, but I can also be home in two minutes afterwards!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Cantine de Belleville | Bars, Music, Restaurants (French) | 3-course € 14.00
108, Boulevard Belleville | Belleville/Nation | +33143159929
06:00 – 02:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Thomas Nicot, Pop'in – Paris – Janvier 2007 http://www.flickr.com/photos/mokokoland/

With large pitchers of beer at €15.00 apiece all night long, it is easy to discern the Pop-In’s continuing popularity. Aside from this, the tiny and eccentrically laid-out bar (note the odd use of stairs!) boasts a quirky array of mismatching furniture complimented by a diverse clientele.

Performances by some of Paris’s coolest new bands feature weekly and the crowd tends towards the so-called ‘bo-bos’(bourgeois bohemian), in addition to other musicy types. The Pop-In can get very busy – the basement is an infamous sweat-box – in spite of which the atmosphere always seems to err on the side of fun.

Check out their MySpace page for details of concerts and the like: http://www.myspace.com/pop_in

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Le Pop-In | Bars, Music | Beer (pitcher) € 13.00
105 rue Amelot | Marais/Bastille | +33148055611
Tue – Sun 18:30 – 01:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris