Paris Champs-Élysées (8ème)

Glam is the name of the game at the trendy, expensive bars and clubs of the 8ème. Whether you're going for a mystical evening at buddha-bar or a surprisingly accessible evening at Le Queen, make sure to bring your wallet, dashing good looks, and if possible, a super-important and/or famous friend.

Le Queen, 102 av. des Champs-Élysées (☎01 53 89 08 90; www.queen.fr), A renowned Parisian institution where drag queens, superstars, tourists, and go-go boys get down and dirty to the mainstream rhythms of a 10,000-gigawatt sound system. Her Majesty is one of the most accessible GLBT clubs in town, and has kept its spot on the Champs for a reason. Women have better luck with the bouncer if accompanied by at least one good-looking male. M Disco, W Ladies Night, Su 80s. €20 cover includes first drink. All drinks €10 after that. Open daily midnight-6am. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. GLBT
buddha-bar, 8 rue Boissy d'Anglas (☎01 53 05 90 00; www.buddha-bar.com), Apparently too cool for overdone trends like capital letters, buddha-bar is billed as the most glamorous drinking hole in the city—Madonna tends to drop by when she's in town. If you're sufficiently attractive, wealthy, or well-connected, you'll quickly be led to one of the two floors of candlelit rooms, where your internal organs will gently vibrate to hypnotic “global” rhythms. A two-story Buddha watches over the chic ground-floor restaurant, while the luxurious upstairs lounge caters to those looking to unwind in style with one of the creative mixed drinks (€16-21). A solid contingent of “atheist drinkers” think buddha is over-rated. Mixed drinks €16-21. Open daily noon-2am. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Charlie Birdy, 124 rue la Boétie 01 42 25 18 06 (www.charliebirdy.com), Charlie Birdy is dark and sexy, and that's just the way we like it. The restaurant-bar is enormous and checkered with flat-screen TVs, but still somehow manages to foster a warm, relaxed vibe.Drinks are mostly affordable with the exception of the aged liquors (€12.50-14.50), but the fusion bar food will rack up your credit card bill. Takes credit cards. Has internet. Serves alcohol.
Le Showcase, under Pont Alexandre III, Port des Champs Élysées 01 45 61 25 43 (wwww.showcase.fr">www.showcase.fr'>wwww.showcase.fr), The new kid on the block, or rather over the Seine. Built into the arches under the Pont Alexandre III, Le Showcase is only open two nights a week, but its odd hours appear to have only increased its popularity. Expect long lines of the lively, young and well-dressed after midnight. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.