Gay Paris can be something of an intense experience, offering a huge variety of places to meet new people, enjoy a conversation, share a meal or go out dancing with other gay guys.
Gay Paris includes a wide range of gay and lesbian venues, with the vast majority concentrated in the very centre of the town in the historic Marais neigbourhood. Its narrow, winding streets are typical of old Paris, and are full of gay bars, restaurants and boutiques. Tourists shuttling between the local museums and former private mansions (hotels particuliers), window-shopping on the rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie or relaxing in the incredible place des Vosges are no longer surprised to see same-sex couples in the street.
Gay Paris: rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie
A great starting point for the gay bars of the Marais is the Open Café on the corner of the rue des Archives and the rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie. As the working day comes to close, it gets busier and busier and it's always full during Happy Hour.
At number 23 of the same street, the Sypce is a bar/club on two levels with two different DJs and is a perfect choice for dancing on Friday or Saturday night.
The Oiseau Bariolé, at number 16, is a cosier gay bar that’s very friendly and a great place to meet new people.
The Free DJ, at number 35 is a gay bar with a lounge atmosphere and a very friendly crowd. If you buy a cocktail during Happy Hour, you get another one free. Beer is also very cheap for the neighbourhood, and if you want to get moving, there's a dancefloor in the basement.
For a slightly older crowd, head to the Feeling, a small bar crammed with kitsch but with reasonably-priced drinks and a lot of thirty-somethings.
For gay restaurants, the Kofi du Marais is straightforward and affordable. It’s well-known for giving its dishes cheeky names, but you might need to know a little French to get the joke.
The Aganier, at number 19, is an excellent gay restaurant that specialises in Eastern cuisine, with delicious tajines and coucous and is usually full of gays.
Finally, we couldn’t fail to mention the Legay Choc, at number 45, the best-known and best-loved of all the boulangeries in the Marais. The family business has been handed down from generation to generation, and they certainly have a talent for eye-catching designs, taking the phallic potential of the baguette, simple pastries and even fruit tarts to new heights!
Gay Paris: rue des Archives
TheCarrefour, at number 8, rue des Archives is an unassuming gay bar that isn’t in any hurry to catch up with some of the trendier venues in the neighbourhood. It hasn’t been renovated in years, but with a prime position at the crossroads of the rue des Archives and the rue de la Verrerie, just opposite the BHV department store, gays flock to the terrace at the first sight of sun.
TheCox Bar, at number 15, rue des Archives is popular with manly gays and bears. Beer is often the only drink going, but the terrace is always packed and the staff are very friendly. The decoration changes monthly.
The Gai Moulin, at number 10, rue Saint-Merri has been one of the best restaurants in the Marais ever since it first opened back in 1981. It offers an affordable prix fixe with a starter, main course and dessert that’s perfectly acceptable. But we really go there for the enjoyable atmosphere, especially on Tuesdays when there’s a performer at the piano.
The Bear’s Den, at number 6, rue des Lombards, is the best-known bear bar in Paris with more and more customers every time we go back. It’s rather cramped inside so you’re forced to mingle with the other patrons, and the terrace fills up very quickly. There’s also a dancefloor and a backroom.
The Café Beaubourg, on rue Saint-Merri, is usually full of fashion victims, chic guys and wannabe intellectuals who all go to see and be seen. The prices and the staff are both as pretentious as the customers, and you can expect to pay at least six euros just for soft drink! That said, it looks gorgeous inside and the huge terrace is the perfect place to check out guys heading into the Marais.
The Curieux Spaghetti Bar, further along rue Saint-Merri is a gay bar and restaurant that specialises in pasta. It’s quite small, but very modern.
The Bûcheron, at 9, rue du roi de Sicile, is an Italian with a fabulous tiramisu. The Sunday brunch, which includes a glass of champagne, is one of the best in Paris. The downside is that is often full to bursting.
Life in gay Paris isn’t just about eating and drinking, which is why we at Absolu Living have other guides to gay life in Paris so you can enjoy other aspects of gay Paris.
Take a look at our guide to our favourite gay saunas, gay clubs in Paris or the best addresses on the Paris lesbian scene.
Has our guide left you wanting to go out and paint the town red?
Come and stay in Paris for a few days so you can try a couple of these venues out. The whole Absolu Living team is looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you to Paris!
