In this guide · 2 sections
Paris’s gay bar scene is in Le Marais, specifically around rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie, rue des Archives, and rue Vieille du Temple in the 4th arrondissement. You can walk between most of them in under ten minutes. It’s not a huge scene by London or Berlin standards, but what’s there is consistent and has been running for decades.
Don’t arrive early. Bars in Le Marais start filling from around 10pm on weekends and considerably later on weekdays. If you’re there at 8pm, you’re too soon. The bars know this—some don’t even open until 9 or 10pm. Check hours before making a trip.
The crowd is mixed in terms of age, generally 30s and 40s dominant but with younger and older regulars at specific places. There’s no single vibe: some spots are small and neighborhood-feeling, others louder and more bar-crowd oriented. A couple lean fetish or leather. The options are spread enough that you can find something to fit most moods.
The bars
- — Great place. The staff made us feel welcome. We had an amazing time. Highly recommended.
- Café Moustache — Fun bar with friendly locals. Dark room in the back for those with a seedier mood.
- CUD — Absolutely the best bar around! A great and unexpected find. We were a bit skeptical because of other reviews but we found this…
- — Right in the middle of Marais, off Beaubourg, with a chill vibe and friendly, English-speaking bartenders. It’s a youngish crowd, not terribly loud. What’s not to like?
- El Hombre — One of the best gay bars to go to! Super friendly people, great underground club/karaoke. Tourist friendly and the bartender is super nice! I’ve been going for 2 nights in a row and it does not disappoint.
- Entre Deux eaux — Great bar with a great atmosphere! Sexy / Hot Fantasy / Nice people / 30 to 60 years old.
- freedj — Excellent place with nice people. There are two floors with different music. It seems we were there for a happy hour and received second cocktails for free. Thank you!
- Krash Bar — Friendly staff, affordable beer, and very central location. I had the best time there and the best sex ever. The only downside is the smell of pee in the dark area; it should be more hygienic. But good all in all.
- La Boite — Great happy hour prices for drinks and great video DJ.
- — Cute and small lesbian bar. The bartender was lively and did his best to spray air freshener to mask the B.O. smell from some of the patrons.
- Le Bronx bar — An original gay bar in Bastille, the new Parisian Marais. The beer is good and the atmosphere too. The owner is warm and welcoming. The bar is often crowded on weekend evenings. Some go to the theme club next door at the end of the evening. There is always a way to get to know customers, even if you come unaccompanied.
- Le Cox — This popular gay bar in the heart of the gay district of Paris caters to guys from 18 to 60. The decor changes every month so it’s always fresh. A fun bar that’s always packed and often spills out onto the street. Friendly bar staff and customers alike make this bar a good choice for a night out in Paris.
- Le Mensch — The best gay place in Paris for cruising and BDSM. No dresscode required. Everything ok from naked to full gear, sportswear or just barechest. I like th
- LE RAIDD PARIS — Friends of Dorothy. A fun place to grab a drink; we missed the show. The drinks were good, the club was fun and inclusive to a group of girls just wanting to...
- Le Secteur X — This place is trashy, seedy, and hot as f*ck! It’s amazing and I loved everything about it. Go here if you’re looking for a good time with hot guys! Not for prudes. Saturday nights are perfect.
- Les Bains dOdessa — This sauna is for daddy bears and mature. Was very crowded on the weekend. It is clean, the sauna is quite large. Unfortunately everybody is bottom here.
- Les Souffleurs — Must go. Alternative gay bar in the Marais. Normally a DJ on Friday and Saturday, and you dance downstairs (stone arch cave). Very nice retro-colored lamps upstairs. Mixed ages and genders.
- LImpact Bar — A solid cruise bar. The price is right. Staff is friendly. No reason to be critical of anyone that works here. Check your clothes and enjoy the adventure.
- One Way — Small neighborhood bar. Very friendly staff as well as clientele. Older crowd, down to earth. Active downstairs, sling etc. Easy going, fun. Would go back!
- — Open Cafe is the place to sit and see the boys of Paris pass by, meet up with friends for a chat, and make new ones over a beer or a coffee. A nice place to have a light breakfast or to start your evening off at the bar with a long drink. This gay bar and cafe is popular, and during the day you may have to wait for a table outside, but it’s worth the wait.
What to expect
Drinks in Le Marais cost more than they did five years ago and more than equivalent bars in other French cities. A beer runs €6–€9, a cocktail €12–€18. Some places do happy hour prices before midnight; it’s worth asking. Most accept cards, though some smaller spots appreciate cash.
The bars are generally safe and used to tourists. Solo visitors are common. No one will look at you strangely for walking in alone and standing at the bar.
If you want to move on to clubs after the bars wind down (most close between 2 and 4 am), look at what’s running that weekend. Clubs like Le Depot and some of the circuit-adjacent venues run separate events. Check listings rather than just showing up.
Back to the main guide: Gay Paris Guide.
