Nightclubs
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Balajo 9 rue de Lappe, 11^e tel 01.47.00.07.87. This old-style music hall of gaiParis gets a mention for its extravagant 1930s decor and large dance floor, but the famous old-fashioned bal musette nights have died a death, and the club now draws a cheesy, aggressively flirty out-of-town crowd. Admission price is around €15, including first drink. M° Bastille. Wed 9pm–3am, Thurs–Sat 11pm–dawn, Sun 3–7pm.

Batofar quai de la Gare, 13^e tel 01.56.29.10.00. An old lighthouse boat moored at the foot of the Bibliothèque Nationale. Brilliant line-up of DJs from all over the world spinning techno for the most part. Your best bet for a not-too-expensive club night out. Admission under €10. M° Quai-de-la Gare/Bibliothèque-Tolbiac. Daily 9pm–3am.

Chapelle des Lombards 19 rue de Lappe, 11^e tel 01.43.57.24.24. This erstwhile bal musette still plays the occasional waltz and tango, but for the most part the music is Afro-Latin: salsa, reggae, steel drums, zouk, raï and the rest. Its renown as a pick-up joint means unabashed advances. Entry and first drink Thurs €13, Fri & Sat €18. M° Bastille. Thurs–Sat 11pm–dawn.

La Coupole 100 bd du Montparnasse, 14^e tel 01.43.27.56.00. La Coupole's formula has survived through most of the twentieth century – gorgeous, historic brasserie upstairs, cool nightclub downstairs – though the music has changed. Latino nights on Tuesdays, house music at weekends. Entry €16–18. M° Vavin. Tues–Sat 11.30pm–3am.

Élysée Montmartre 72 bd de Rochechouart, 18^e tel 01.55.07.06.00, www.elyseemontmartre.com. Historic Montmartre nightspot that pulls in a young, excitable crowd with its up-tempo club nights, held under the huge, arching roof. Every other Saturday there's a school-disco style party night called Le Bal (€14), with live rock/dance acts and DJs playing all those Eighties French pop tunes you never sang along to, but everyone around you clearly did. Frequent gigs midweek. M° Anvers.

La Fabrique 53 rue du Faubourg-St-Antoine, 11^e tel 01.43.07.67.07. Uber-trendy club-bar heaving with Bastille trendies partying well into the morning. Mon–Thurs free admission; Fri & Sat under €10. M° Bastille.

Folies Pigalle 11 place Pigalle, 9^e tel 01.48.78.25.26. Famed for its sleazy past, and only slightly less sleazy present, transsexual clientele and all, the Folies is a landmark on the club scene for its house nights and "after" events early on Saturday morning and right through Sunday. M° Pigalle. Tues–Sat midnight–dawn; Sun dawn–midnight.

La Java 105 rue du Faubourg-du-Temple, 10^e tel 01.42.02.20.52. Fast-moving salsa-tropical club, with regular live bands and a seriously good-time vibe. Admission Thurs €8, Fri & Sat €15, Sun €5. M° Belleville. Thurs–Sat 11pm–5am, Sun 2–7pm.

La Locomotive 90 bd de Clichy, 18^e tel 08.36.69.69.28, www.laloco.com. High-tech monster club with three dance floors, all playing variations on house. Admission €10 weekdays, €20 weekends. M° Blanche. Tues–Sun 11pm–dawn.

Nouveau Casino 109 rue Oberkampf, 11^e tel 01.43.57.57.40, www.nouveaucasino.net. Eclectic, innovative mix of musical styles played at this large, trendy club – anything from electro to house and funk. Concerts earlier in the evening are even wider-ranging – from post-rock to hip-hop. Club admission €10. M° Parmentier. Thurs–Sun 11pm–dawn.

Le Queen 102 Champs-Élysées, 8^e tel 01.53.89.08.89, www.queen.fr. Legendary club whose success has far transcended its gay origins, though Saturdays and Sundays are strictly gay and only the best-dressed women get past the door. The crowd includes drag queens and model types; the music is house except on Sunday (dance) and Monday (disco). Admission €10 Mon, Wed & Thurs; €20 Fri & Sat; €12 Sun. M° George-V. Daily 11pm–dawn.

Rex Club 5 bd Poissonnière, 2^e tel 01.42.36.28.83. The clubbers' club: spacious and serious about its music, which is strictly electronic, notably techno. Attracts big-name DJs. Admission €11. M° Grands-Boulevards. Thurs–Sat 11.30pm–6am; closed Aug.