Paris Châtelet-Les Halles

Banana Cafe, 13 rue de la Ferronerie (☎01 42 33 35 31; www.bananacafeparis.com), Situated in the heart of one of Paris's liveliest areas for nightlife, Banana Cafe is the self-declared, and rightly so, most popular GLBT bar in the 1er. The club suits a wide range of clientele, ranging from the somewhat reticent and straight patrons who occupy the outdoors terrace, to the pole/striptease dancers stationed outside on nice days. During the summertime, there's always some kind of hot deal on beer or drinks, and the party regularly spills out onto the rue de la Ferronerie. Head downstairs for a piano bar and more dancing space. There are weekly theme nights; “Go-Go Boys” takes place every Th-Sa midnight-dawn. Happy hour Pints €3, Mixed Drinks €4. Cover F-Sa €10; includes 1 drink. Beer €5.50. Mixed drinks €8. Open daily 5:30pm-6am. Happy hour 6-11pm. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. GLBT
Frog and Rosbif, 116 rue St-Denis (☎01 42 36 34 73; www.frogpubs.com), One of several Anglo-French “Frog and.” pubs in Paris. The Frog and Rosbif shows live rugby and soccer broadcasts; the floor gets sticky and loud. What makes this pub stand out in a neighborhood full of otherwise generic bars? Frog pubs brew their own beer: try the ginger twist and parislytic flavors. They're..interesting. Quiz nights Su 8pm, Free Wi-Fi. Happy hour pints €5; mixed drinks €5. Thirsty Thu students €4.50 beer and mixed drinks, €2 shots. Beer €6. Mixed drinks €7. Open daily noon-2am. Happy hour 5:30-8pm. Takes credit cards. Has internet. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
La Champmeslé, 4 rue Chabanais (☎01 42 96 85 20; www.lachampmesle.com), This welcoming lesbian bar is Paris's oldest and most famous; the owner still works the bar and enthusiastically promotes the bar's late-night spectacles (they don't always happen, but when they do it's at 2am). The crowd is friendly; straight folks are warmly welcomed. The club hosts weekly cabaret shows (Sa 10pm) and monthly art exhibits. Wi-Fi, but don't bring your computer at night, you nerd. Beer €5 before 10pm, €7 after. Cocktails €8-10. Open M-Sa 4pm-dawn. Takes credit cards. Has internet. Serves alcohol. GLBT
Le Rex Club, 5 bld. Poissonnière (☎01 42 36 10 96; www.rexclub.com), Definitely the place to be if you're looking to get down on the floor or rock out to a phenomenal DJ set. The club hosts top-notch DJ's spanning pretty much any type of music that young people would have the slightest desire to dance to. The crowd is full of students, but due to the high quality of the DJs, there aren't too many Euro-trashy teenagers here. The large sweaty dance floor is surrounded by colorful booths. Cover €10-15. Mixed drinks €9-11. Open W-Th 11:30pm-6am, F-Sa midnight-6am. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Le Club 18, 18 rue Beaujolais 42 97 52 13 (www.club18.fr), Le Club 18 might be the oldest gay club in Paris, but the owners have certainly managed to keep up with today's LGBT partiers. Flashing lights and pop, house, and dance beats make for a wild night. Whether you partied at Studio 54 or you grew up on Gaga, the mixed crowd at Le Club 18 will welcome you with open arms. It's simply fabuleux. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. GLBT
Au Duc des Lombards, 42 rue des Lombards 01 42 33 22 88 (www.ducdeslombards.com), Murals of little-known jazz artists Duke Ellington and John Coltrane grace the facade of this well-known jazz joint. Still the best in French jazz, with occasional American soloists and hot items in world music. If you're in the mood for whisky, stay away; a bottle of Jack here costs €110 (!). Wine and beer are a bit more reasonable. 3 sets each night—lower cover and concessions if you reserve in advance by phone. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Le Baiser Salé, 58 rue des Lombards 01 42 33 37 71 (www.lebaisersale.com), A more modern take on the jazz bar; Cuban, African, and Antillean music featured alongside jazz and funk in a welcoming, mellow space. Mellow has its downside; sometimes the vibe here is so chill that the service on the terrace slows to a glacial pace. Expect cool funky music whether intensely grooving out in the club itself or lounging to ambient jazz/reggae with the commoners outside. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
O'Sullivan's Rebel Bar, 10 rue des Lombards 01 42 71 42 72 (www.osullivans-pubs.com), The next installment in a popular chain of Irish pubs, this O'Sullivan's is remarkable for its love of rebels and all things rebellious; pictures of Ché Guevara and James Dean grace the graffiti-covered walls. Unfortunately, the graffiti can make it a bit difficult to tell which bathroom is which. A little bit of dancing generally breaks out as the Guinness keeps flowing. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Le Sunside, Le Sunset, 60 rue des Lombards 01 40 26 21 25 (www.sunset-sunside.com), A jazz club with a great reputation, Le Sunside, Le Sunset is very popular with American and English expats and tourists. The bartender is always dans la merde (deep in shit) at this busy spot. Le Sunside and Le Sunset are in fact 2 separate, small jazz venues; Le Sunside is above Le Sunset, and opens 1hr. earlier. Sometimes both have concerts, sometimes only one does; check online. Acts range from traditional to experimental jazz. Beer €5-6. Mixed drinks €9-10. Cover free or €22-25. Open daily 6pm-2am. Happy hour 5-8 pm. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
The Thistle Pub, 112 rue Saint-Denis 01 40 26 33 20 (www.the-thistle.com), The self-proclaimed “most Scottish pub in Paris,” the Thistle offers cheap drinks and a place to get super rowdy on sporting occasions. A small outdoors terrace is available for a more tranquil experience, but the party (including kilted Scottish men) often spills into the street. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.