Alternative nightclubs and cabarets in Paris

Le Crazy Horse is a cabaret located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris that has been presenting stage performances featuring nude dancers since 1951. The shows combine erotic choreography with technical lighting effects and precise movements. Performances last approximately ninety minutes and present thematic numbers in a theatre with limited seating capacity.

Les Trois Baudets is a 1940s concert hall that presents French chansons and music performances for 250 spectators in the historic Montmartre district. The venue has hosted numerous French artists and offers a traditional Parisian cabaret experience in a preserved postwar setting.

Don Camilo is a restaurant with a performance stage in Paris that has welcomed international artists since 1953. The venue combines dining services with evening entertainment through musical performances, cabaret acts and various artistic programs. The establishment has presented performers from different countries on its stage over seven decades.

La Java is a historic 1920s ballroom in the Belleville neighbourhood that has been converted into an electronic music venue. The club hosts regular DJ sets, live concerts and dance events spanning genres from house to techno. The space retains elements of its original architecture and features a dance floor and bar area. La Java was once a popular gathering place for Parisian working-class communities and welcomed performers such as Édith Piaf.

Aux Trois Mailletz is a jazz club in the Latin Quarter housed in a medieval vaulted cellar dating from the 13th century. Musicians perform on a small stage, playing jazz, swing and blues until late at night. Dancers and singers regularly accompany the live performances in this historic stone-walled basement with its arched ceiling.

Madam Arthur is a historic cabaret located in the heart of Montmartre, welcoming visitors since 1946. This venue presents live singing shows featuring performers in elaborate costumes who perform in historical decor. The cabaret offers an authentic Parisian nightlife experience with performances that blend French variety traditions with contemporary elements.

Bel Canto combines fine French dining with live opera performances. Professional opera singers work as waiters and regularly interrupt their service to perform arias and classical vocal pieces. Guests enjoy a multi-course menu while performers deliver famous works from operas by Verdi, Puccini, and Mozart between courses. The restaurant offers a combination of gastronomic experience and musical performance in an elegant setting.

L'Alhambra is a 600-seat theater built in 1920 in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. This venue hosts concerts spanning multiple musical genres from rock and pop to electronic music, as well as theatrical productions. The building features period architecture from the 1920s and serves as a performance space for both national and international artists.

La Cigale is a historic concert hall located in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, constructed in 1887 during the Belle Époque period. The venue accommodates 1400 spectators and retains its original architecture, featuring stucco work, columns, and ornate balustrades. This establishment has preserved its period structure and serves as a performance space for concerts across multiple musical genres, as well as theatrical productions and cabaret shows.

Chez Michou is a cabaret located in the heart of Montmartre that has been operating since 1956. The venue presents regular drag shows where performers impersonate well-known figures from the entertainment industry. Founded by Michou, this establishment has become a fixture of Parisian nightlife over the decades.

The Olympia Bruno Coquatrix opened in 1893 and accommodates 2000 spectators. This concert hall in the 9th arrondissement has a long history as a venue for musical performances and variety shows. Since its establishment, numerous French and international artists have performed here, making the hall an important location in the Parisian music scene.

The Theatre de la Ville was built in 1862 and features a hall with 1000 seats. The venue programs contemporary dance and theater performances across various genres. The theater presents national and international productions and is dedicated to promoting modern performing arts in the French capital.

Théâtre Mogador opened in 1919 and has established itself as one of the leading venues for musicals in Paris. The auditorium offers 1600 seats and regularly hosts French and international productions. The theatre is located in the 9th arrondissement on Rue de Mogador and presents musicals of various genres, from classic works to contemporary shows.

La Machine du Moulin Rouge occupies the former boiler room of the famous Moulin Rouge and spans three floors. The club specializes in electronic music and offers different areas with varying musical styles. The industrial architecture of the historic boiler room has been preserved and equipped with modern lighting and sound systems. The programming includes performances by international DJs and live acts from techno, house, and experimental electronic music genres.

Bobino is a historic theater and cabaret located in the Montparnasse district of Paris, operating since 1873. The establishment has maintained its function as a performance venue and currently hosts cabaret shows, concerts spanning various musical genres, and dance performances. The hall has been modernized with contemporary technical facilities while preserving its theatrical structure.

The Moulin Rouge is a cabaret theatre in the Montmartre district of Paris that opened in 1889. Performances showcase the French cancan with a troupe of 60 dancers. The program combines traditional variety acts with singing, acrobatics and costume changes. A red windmill on the roof marks the building.