Paris Opéra

Cafe Le Baron, 11 rue de Châteaudun (☎01 48 78 13 68), A quintessential Parisian cafe, come here if you're really in the mood to receive some disdainful stares from behind sunglasses (if you're obviously American, that is), and cough up the fog of someone else's cigarette smoke. In a good way. Cafe Le Baron's sunny outdoors terrace is right in the thick of things near the Opéra district; the scene here is simply classic, and beautiful. Each cocktail looks like a work of art (€2.20-7), and drinks are accompanied by a complimentary tasting plate of olives, veggies, and cheese. Tasteful modern decor graces the interior, with whitewashed walls lined with red wine bottles and an assortment of maroon sofas. The food here is also quite delectable, but expensive; just about everything on the menu is delicious, so you probably won't regret it. Notre Dame de Lorette, Cadette. Beer €2,60-7. Shots €5-18. Wines (by glass) €2.60-5.50. Appetizers €14-19. Plats €17-26. Desserts €9-10. Daily 11am-1am. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Corcoran's, 23 Boulevard Poissonnière (☎40 39 00 16; www.corcorans.fr), Corcoran's is located smack dab in the center of all things touristy, and offers American drinks and bar food for reasonable prices (by Opéra standards, that is). A cavernous room boasts a pool table and several TVs, while the outdoors terrace generally fills up with eager people watchers on balmy summer evenings. Any Irish pub should have decent Guinness, and that Corcoran's does, but your waitress might take 10min. to get it to you, and then take another 5min to add up your bill (at the table). The party gets jumpin' on Th-Sa nights, when Corcoran's hires house, rock, and R and B DJs. On the whole a great destination for young people on weekend nights. Grands Boulevards. Other locations at Bastille, St. Michel, and Clichy areas. Shots €4. Cocktails €8.50-9.50. Beer €4-6.50. Whiskey €6.50-8.50. Open Daily 11am-2am. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Hard Rock Cafe, 14 bd. Montmartre 01 53 24 60 (www.hardrock.com), American? Homesick? No? Wish you were American? The Hard Rock Cafe will make ex-pats feel right at home on Montmartre. Diner decor and rock memorabilia unabashedly decorate take center stage, while a big terrace boasts a view of one of the most happening boulevards in Paris. A good place to come drink at night, and possibly eat too—especially for some tasty, not-quite-absurdly-priced lunch formules. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.