Best Gay Bars in Paris

One of Paris' most popular gay bars. Le RAIDD is famous for its Shower Show every night at midnight when several hot, hunky male dancers get wet & wild in a huge aquarium-like tank embedded in the wall. It can get quite thirsty!

And if that's not enough eye candy, then feast your eyes on the gorgeous bar staff. This bar is located in the center of Le Marais, with happy hours from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. It's a good place to start or end your gay night out in Paris.

One of the most famous and centrally located gay bars with a big crowd spilling onto the sidewalk. This is the most visible bar on Rue des Archives, the main street for gay nightlife in Paris.

The terrace is a great place for people-watching (it's often freakishly hot). COX is probably the best bar to visit first on a night out. Happy hour continues until 10 p.m. every night.

Bar Le Freedj is a gay bar with a popular but small basement dance floor. Freedj gets very crowded on the weekend, with the crowd spilling out onto the streets. 

You can dance to different types of music here, from the latest pop hits to house bangers from talented DJs. They also host fun themed events for holidays, from drag Easter egg hunts to all-out Halloween parties.

A cosy gay friendly bar spread over two floors, Ze Baar belongs to the French restaurant Ze Restoo.

The ground floor is open in good weather, while the upper level features armchairs and lounge areas. The place is small so it can get pretty packed, especially on weekend nights.

A relatively large gay bar in Le Marais, Quetzal has a great atmosphere and it often gets busy (and cruise-y) on the weekends. The bar attracts a mostly male crowd in their 30s and 40s. The crowd is great, though, and the in-house DJs play a buzzing party set to set the atmosphere.

Small gay bar to the north of Le Marais with a rustic ambience. One Way attracts the leather/denim and bear crowd. The underground level has a video room and dark corners, perfect for when your inhibitions start to drop.

The crowd is usually older gents who are regulars.

One of the longest-running gay bars in Paris. The renovated Banana Café hosts regular events - cabaret, disco, karaoke, go-go dancers, etc.

This bar is located just outside of Le Marais but still within walking distance. If the weather is nice, it's a great spot for sitting outside and people-watching.

Long-running Paris gay bar, located to the north of Le Marais. Duplex is one of the few bars in the area where it’s easy to have a conversation.

Frequented by the artsy-intellectual crowd, the bar features simple décor and plays an eclectic mix of music (new wave, disco, synth-pop, alternative, British Invasion rock, funk). Busy on the weekend.

Les Souffleuses features drag shows and themed parties. Great music and atmosphere. It's a hip gay bar and club in the heart of Le Marais, serving great cocktails.

La Boîte is a gay bar in Paris. The staff are genuinely welcoming, the drinks are tasty without being overpriced, and the music sets the mood without overwhelming the conversation. 

A small gay bar and bistro in the Marais neighbourhood with outside seating. Cactus is less well known with locals (the menu isn't translated) and is good for people-watching. There is a neon-lit bar inside, serving a wide variety of drinks, as well as tapas. This venue is opposite the ever-popular and appropriately named COX bar.

L'Enchanteur is a two-level neighbourhood bar with karaoke. The vaulted cellar downstairs makes for the best acoustics for singing while they serve à la carte cocktails on the main floor. Friendly staff and reasonable drink prices. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Located just outside of Le Marais, Bears' Den is a popular hangout for bears, daddies, friends and fans.

The bar has both a lounge floor and disco bar. There is karaoke on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Details about other upcoming events can be found on their website or Facebook page.

Friendly gay bar/club (formerly "The Eagle") located in the heart of gay Paris. The LABO hosts special events and themed parties.

Happy hour from 5 pm-11 pm on beer and the cocktail of the day. Located close to several restaurants, they have after-dinner drinks here.

Two-floor gay bar Le Velvet in Paris hosts different themed parties throughout the week and a daily happy hour.

Young crowds come to enjoy the juicy cocktails. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

Café bar Rosa Bonheur attracts a fun-loving, free-spirited crowd. Popular with gay customers on Sunday evenings.

Located in the middle of the beautiful Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Arrive early (around 6 pm) if you want to get indoors.