Paris Gay Life

[hkpuipui99]

I've read a lotta old reports and un-updated websites, and they are no help, so I'm gonna try my luck here!

Where are the latest gay hotspots? My bf and I likes shopping and clubbing, maybe chill @ some hip/relaxed bars :-)

Any suggestions? The latest info I have are Okawa and Le Raidd.

[trechic]

Hi...
I get emails every month from www.parismarais.com and this month they had an updated list of every kind of bar, club ...new opening, etc...
Until our more knowledgeable insiders respond...it will give you something fun to read!

[Jody]

I'm glad trechic's memory is better than mine. I was trying all morning to think of the name of that website.

There are a few things listed at Whatsonwhen in Paris

www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event.search&mode=advanced&start_date=20071224&end_date=2008017&search=gay&locsearch=Paris&cat_id=&display_start_date=24%2F12%2F2007&display_end_date=7%2F01%2F2008&x=17&y=5

You have to use gay as your keyword and put in your dates. They list several clubs and events

[luckyluc]

When we are in Paris at the same time, Truffaut, his partner and I often start the evening at the Open Bar at the corner of rue des Archives and rue Saint-Croix de la Bretonnerie. If you go early around 6pm you should be able to find a table, and during happy hour, you will see the parade of gay Paris. There is also a few free magazines that will inform you of the latest popular places. As you know, a bar that is hip this month might be old news next month....

For some interesting dining don't forget Aux Trois Petits Cochons and Le Prince de Paris, both have great ambiance.

[Truffaut]

Open Café is good for happy hour, as is Cox, if you're more into burly guys (read "daddies"). THE hot dance club of the moment is Les Bains Douches, but don't dare arrive before midnight.

[hkpuipui99]

How are the gay clubs in Paris, e.g. Les Bains Douches? are they welcoming to all kinds of people?

As a Chinese I've had my share of bad racial experiences in foreign countries :-(

and how funny is the name Cox? lol. Altho I think I'll opt for Open Cafe/Bar. :-p

[Truffaut]

Open Café is very pleasant. It really is a café with tables and all, but when it gets busy, people stand around the bar like a real bar. Personally, I'm not wild about Cox (the bar), because the crowd just isn't really my type. Raidd is also busy, but perhaps a little bit later (after happy hour, but before dinner).

If you want a bit classier surroundings, you might enjoy Amnésia on rue du Bourg-Tibourg at the corner of rue des Rosiers. It's a great place to have a coffee or a drink on a rainy afternoon. After smoking is banned in January, it'll be a pleasant place at any time.

The major clubs in Paris can be very discriminating. Sorry, ladies, but the saying goes that one must be "bien habillé, bien connu ou bien monté" (well dressed, well known or well hung) to get in the best clubs. Some clubs employ a "visagiste" who's job it is to make the call as to whether a potential patron meets the criteria. As a Caucasian, I've never had a problem, but I've heard stories of racial bias. I'm guessing that in Paris, the bias is more targeted at North Africans and Arabs than at Asians. That's just a guess--I've no direct experience. I don't think Les Bains Douches is as bad as some of the other older clubs such as Queen (which is fading, anyway).

You might enjoy an evening at Le Tango. I believe it's on Sunday nights that they begin with gay ballroom dancing around 10pm. It's an absolute hoot. You should watch two people of roughly the same height and weight try to dip and spin.....! After midnight, it switches to every kind of music except techno. You can expect a classic disco tune, followed by a country-western ballad, followed by Edith Piaf, followed by an Argentine tango..... It's a VERY friendly and welcoming environment. I believe LuckyLuc's been there, as well.

In addition to LuckyLuc's restaurants suggestions of Aux Trois Petits Cochons (where we recently enjoyed one of the best Parisian meals we've had in years), and Le Petit Prince de Paris, you might try Au Memère au Piano on rue Oberkampf. We've eaten there a couple of times. The food is better than average, adn the crowd is fun.

[hkpuipui99]

omg this is exactly what I've been waiting for. Truffaut how can I ever repay you!? lol.

Yes now my bf will be sooo impressed, and I'll take all the credit! muwahahaha.

[hkpuipui99]

Quick qx: Since the metro stops running around 1:40/2:15, how much is a taxi ride from Marais to La Defense?

[annettecinca]

admin said:

"bien habillé, bien connu ou bien monté"

Okay Truffaut, inquiring minds want to know...which one are you?! (you knew someone was going to ask this!)

[Shoesy]

Isn't it just possible that our Truffy is "bien" in all 3 categories?

[andi]

Shoesy, I will exalt you for your diplomacy . I fear this one could have run a little risque BUT...... inquiring minds do wonder! LOL

[Shoesy]

Thank you, Andi. However, I must admit that while all of your inquiring minds are wOndering, mine is sort of wAndering. ;D

[Anne]

admin said:

I'm guessing that in Paris, the bias is more targeted at North Africans and Arabs than at Asians. That's just a guess--I've no direct experience.

I've no direct experience either, but clubs are notorious for discriminating the Arabs and Africans indeed . Clubs are being sued regularly enough for this because it is illegal .
I don't think that you should have any problem as a Chinese . Of course you must look cool enough, but that's just what Truffaut mentionned, nothing racial .

And no girls, I won't elaborate on Truffaut's "qualities" ...

[Truffaut]

annettecinca said:

admin said:

"bien habillé, bien connu ou bien monté"

Okay Truffaut, inquiring minds want to know...which one are you?! (you knew someone was going to ask this!)

Let's just say that when I went to Queen for the first time several years ago, I knew I only had one chance to get in....so, I went clothes shopping!

[annettecinca]

admin said:

Let's just say that when I went to Queen for the first time several years ago, I knew I only had one chance to get in....so, I went clothes shopping!

But of course....the other two areas you already had covered! ;D

[GitteK]

I am not surprised that boy got his popo kicked out of a decent, Godfearing place like TA !!

And YOU are the one who is supposed to keep up the moral standards of this board !!

[Shoesy]

Yes, we must remember that we have some very young posters here. What the heck..........they probably know more than some of us oldies.

[hkpuipui99]

Truffaut I think you're too humble. Or did you mean you went shopping for clothes that showed off one of your other "bien"s? lol.

Anyways, anyone knows how much it costs for a taxi ride between Marais and La Defense? Kinda worried since the metro doesn't run all night :-(

[Truffaut]

You could just take the Noctilien night bus instead of a taxi. It works on a hub system. Wherever you are in the city, you'll find a Noctilien bus line (bus numbers beginning with the letter "N") that will travel to one of the major train stations (Saint-Lazare, Nord, Lyon and Montparnasse). When you get to those one of the stations, you transfer to the N01 or N02 which go around the city clockwise and counterclockwise. From there you transfer to the bus going to your final destination. There are maps online at www.ratp.fr. If you're lucky, you might find that your starting point is near a stop on the bus line traveling to La Défense, and thus avoiding all the transfers. I'd estimate the taxi fare at 20 euros plus a small tip for 2 people.