In Paris, you don’t simply roll up to a club and expect the music, people, atmosphere and entrance fee to be exactly the same as the last time your friend’s friend went last year... The scene here is extraordinarily dynamic and the crowds move with the promoters, rather than going to the same venue week in week out. The buzzword is soirées or “nights” — one-off parties held once a month or less. Staged in the cooler clubs (Rex) or in equivalents of “ironic” value (Les Bains), these events are where the after-dark cognoscenti gather to compare hair-dos and drop names.
Having said that, there are some clubs that shouldn’t be missed — see our “venue selection.” But, then again... There are others that, quite frankly, should be avoided like the plague... Everyone’s heard of Le Queen — the city’s most commercial club — that exploits tourists with inflated bar prices and worse, filtered disco. Le Pulp, on the other hand, is a lesbian club that opens its doors to all genres on weekdays and attracts the cool crowd who get down to dirty, ’80s electro-clash and breakbeat.This is the sound of Paris (at the moment), so make the most of it before someone changes their mind…
Château Rouge
This party collective and record label, fronted by Mathieu Minelli, is home to the Scratch Massive — DJs who feature high up on most club playlists. With an open bar at the beginning of their nights, there’s a good reason to get there early. Château Rouge @ Rex, Oct 3, 11:30pm, 8E — with Portishead’s Andy Smith and the Scratch Massive. Divine @ Les Bains, Oct 11, 11:30pm, 15E — with The Micronauts, Rootsman and Maud.
Aphrodisiac
Eva Gardner is among the most glamorous of Paris club promoters. Her soirée Aphrodisiac welcomes live acts and DJs from all over the world, like Gilles Peterson and of course, herself! Aphrodisiac @ La Scène, Oct 31, 10pm, 11E — with Philly Dj Vikter Duplaix.
PANIK
Organized by La Lune Rousse, this “night” has become a major event for live electronic acts, for which the Elysée is a great venue. But the sound system isn’t quite big enough for resident DJ Chloe’s banging house sets. PANIK @ l’Elysée Montmartre, Oct 18, 11:30pm, 14E. (www.panikalelysee.com)
Open House
Frank and Lorenzo started this “night” on the basis of quality house music and free entry. The price has risen steadily over the years, but the music has stayed true to their “open” policy. Open House @ l’Elysée Montmartre, Oct 12, 11:30pm, 10E. (www.openhouse.fr)
MISSIVE
Another good source for one-off parties is this local record label founded by DJs P.O, Thomas Di Matteo and Fabrice Duchamp. Their music is at the deeper end of funky house and damn, do the crowd know how to rock it! As well as the above DJs, their roster includes Mister J and Cyril K. Check out MISSIVE @ Le Rendez-Vous Toyota, Oct 10, 9pm and MISSIVELY Yours @ La Fabrique, Oct 24, 11pm, both free. (www.missive-music.com)
Where?
Les Bains 7 rue du Bourg-l’Abbé, 3e, M° Etienne Marcel, tel: 01 48 87 01 80
Elysée-Montmartre 72 bd de Rochechouart, 18e, M° Anvers, tel: 01 55 07 06 00
La Fabrique 53 rue du faubourg St-Antoine, 11e, M° Bastille
Le Rendez-Vous Toyota 79 av Champs-Elysées, 8e, M° George V
Rex Club 5 bd Poissonnière, 2e, M° Bonne Nouvelle, tel: 01 42 36 10 96
La Scène 2bis rue des Taillandiers, 11e, M° Bastille
