Paris Invalides (7ème)

If you want to party into the wee hours of the morn, stumble home to your affordable hotel room, and pass out after consuming another €1 bottle of wine, then you probably shouldn't stay in the 7ème. Filled with sights but devoid of personality, the neighborhood gets quiet early. The corner-cafe bars at École Militaire are packed almost exclusively with tourists, and the rue-Saint-Dominique has some brassieres frequented by locals. The following venues are a solid bet.

Club des Poètes, 30 rue de Bourgogne (☎01 47 05 06 03; www.poesie.net), If you want to drink and feel cultured, this restaurant by day and poetry club by night brings together an intimate community of literati for supper and sonnets. The hip patrons all seem to know each other and may seem intimidating at first, but you'll soon become fast friends as you cram in next to each other the L-shaped long table. Poetry readings Tu, F, Sa at 10pm. Come a little before then, or wait for applause to enter. Open M-F noon-2:30pm and 8pm-1am. Kitchen closes at 10pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
O'Brien's, 77 rue St-Dominique 01 45 51 75 87 This no-fuss, get-drunk Irish pub has landed incongruously in an otherwise posh neighborhood. Beers are reasonably priced, but most people come for the big-screen TV.

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