Where the concierge points people first
- Open Café — On the rue des Archives, with a wide terrace that fills from early evening. The easy first drink, where you sit outside and watch the Marais go by. (48.8584, 2.3552)
- Duplex Bar — A small, long-running bar a few streets away, with art on the walls and a conversational crowd. More a local than a scene. (48.8624, 2.3550)
- Tropic Café — On the rue des Lombards near Châtelet, lively and mixed, with a terrace. Good for an evening that starts early and runs on. (48.8600, 2.3474)
- CUD — A late bar with a basement dance floor in the Marais. The one for after midnight when the terraces empty. (48.8618, 2.3572)
- Tango Paris — A dance hall with an old-Paris feel, where the evening can mean tango and musette before the pop. Unlike anything else on the list. (48.8645, 2.3568)
The rest of the gay bars in Paris — every one we hold
- Au 16 (48.8608, 2.3550)
- Buddy (48.8545, 2.3380)
- Bunker Paris (48.8691, 2.3744)
- Café Moustache (48.8747, 2.3591)
- Eagle Paris (48.8596, 2.3482)
- El Hombre Paris (48.8599, 2.3495)
- Elles Bar (48.8593, 2.3549)
- Entre Deux eaux (48.8638, 2.3717)
- Escualita Soiree Au Rouge Pigalle (48.8820, 2.3370)
- Fox Club (48.8816, 2.3371)
- Gibus Club (48.8683, 2.3663)
- Jane Club (48.8546, 2.3378)
- Joe & Johanne (48.8575, 2.3359)
- Krash Bar (48.8602, 2.3534)
- La champmesle (48.8671, 2.3368)
- Le Cactus (48.8582, 2.3551)
- Le SECTEURX (48.8598, 2.3547)
- Le Triplex (48.8523, 2.3547)
- Les Souffleuses (48.8571, 2.3551)
- Mensch (48.8625, 2.3622)
- Merci·Marsha (48.8547, 2.3824)
- Micman (48.8609, 2.3536)
- REDZONE (48.8626, 2.3396)
- Starcooker (48.8585, 2.3554)
- Taboo (48.8717, 2.3111)
- Wolf Paris (48.8597, 2.3476)
The Marais is the center, and it is out in the open
Gay Paris is concentrated in the Marais, around the rue des Archives, rue Vieille-du-Temple and rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie, where the bars spill onto pavements and rainbow flags are ordinary street furniture. Same-sex marriage has been legal in France since 2013 and holding hands in the center draws little attention. Nights start late: terraces fill from early evening, clubs get going after midnight. The Marche des Fiertés, Paris Pride, is held on a Saturday in late June.
Questions people ask
What are the best gay bars in Paris?
For a terrace drink, Open Café or Tropic Café. For a quieter local, Duplex Bar. For dancing late, CUD.
Where is the gay area in Paris?
The Marais, in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, around the rue des Archives and rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie.
How many gay bars are there in Paris?
Num's directory maps 31 gay bars and venues in Paris, most of them in or near the Marais.
Ask Num what is on tonight in the Marais
Everything Num knows in Paris →
Also in Paris