Paris. City of Light. City of Love. City of Branché Nightlife. Unfortunately, not all of us have the Fashion Week look – or the lucre – to penetrate the velvet ropes of the French capital’s most exclusive boîtes. But with so many terrific live music halls, jazz clubs, dive bars and discothèques, to even risk the long queues, humiliation and toll on your pocketbook is madness. The nightlife scene in Paris is eclectic and esoteric, with breadth and niches in equal measures.

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Le 9b
68, boulevard de la Villette, 19e

Old pool hall now bar à manger and cave à danser in hip Belleville. With a basement club, live DJs, brunch and breakfast menu and summer patio, le 9b is a nice all-in-one.

Where to stay: Hyatt Regency Hotel Paris Madeleine

Curio Parlor
16, rue des Bernardins, 5e

Though the artisanal speakeasy scene in Paris is not on par with a London or New York, this new venture by the same gang behind the Experimental Cocktail Club helps even the score.

Where to stay: Relais Saint Jacques Hotel Paris

Batofar
Port de la Gare, 13e

The culprit behind the “club on the Seine” scene in Paris, while far from underground, is excellent fun. Part restaurant, café, summer “beach” chillout spot, electronic music and after hours hub.

Where to stay: Mercure Austerlitz Bibliotheque Hotel Paris

L’Opa
9, rue Biscornet, 12e

In local parlance, L’Opa is très sympa. The lofty space, complete with canapé lounge, brick walls, mezzanine DJ booth and sundry live lineups, feels more like the East Village than Paris.

Where to stay: Marceau Bastille Hotel Paris

Nouveau Casino
109, rue Oberkampf, 11e

Far from a casino, Nouveau Casino is a vast after hours club and concert space that pulls in up and comers.

Where to stay: Hotel All Seasons Paris Voltaire Republique

La Mécanique Ondulatoire
8, passage Thière, 11e

Owner Xavier Simon took a financial hit in 2010 when he ran afoul of the noise ordinance police and had to invest $160,000 in a state-of-the-art soundproof wall system. Ardent clubheads in Paris hope he reneges on threats to take his business to Berlin.

Where to stay: Standard Design Hotel Paris

Le Cabaret
2, place du Palais-Royal, 1er

OK, so a hot architect (Jacques Garcia) is behind the plush décor of Le Cab but the club is refreshingly all-inclusive and kind to non-VIPs.

Where to stay: Louvre Bons Enfants Hotel Paris

L’Alimentation Générale
64, rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 11e

While not quite a grocery store, L’Alimentation Générale serves up hot and tasty beats and rhythms. One of the best, unpretentious live music bars in the city.

Where to stay: Citadines Republique Paris Hotel

Sunset-Sunside
60, rue des Lombards, 1er

So, too, is Sunset-Sunside, a quintessential Parisian basement jazz club with reasonable covers and good drinks.

Where to stay: Hotel des Ducs d’Anjou Paris

Le Motel
8, passage Josset, 11e

Le Motel is a gritty café-bar with Smiths posters on the walls, cushy old sofas and solid cocktails and beers on tap. Very hipster, very British.

Where to stay: Novotel Gare De Lyon Hotel Paris

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