Words + Photos by Emma McCarthy
Paris is home to some of the most vibrant and iconic clubs in the world, blending nightlife with rich threads of pop culture. From historic venues that hosted legendary figures like Prince and Madonna to cutting-edge spaces comparable to Paris Fashion Week where trends, music, and art collide, these clubs are more than just places to dance—they’re cultural landmarks. Whether it’s the electric energy or the celebrity-studded nights at these establishments, Parisian music venues continue to shape and reflect global trends in style, sound, and self-expression.
Pachamama is a four-story club nestled in the heart of the Bastille district in Paris that radiates a bohemian-chic vibe feeding a sultry fever dream to anyone who steps in. The club exclusively accepts entry after €20 in cash, but it is a small price compared to the rest of the Paris club scene, with entry just beginning at €70 to get in. Arriving as early as 10pm (considered early in Parisian standards) is a guaranteed in with larger groups of people, so don’t take your chances when you stumble across the block-long line if you arrive late.
Once inside, the air thickens with a velvety layer of ambience — the hum of early ‘00s pop & rap hit melodies collide with the booming rhythm of afro-beats. Atop their altar of knobs and glowing sigils, a DJ will typically scan the scene and gauge the music to the vibe of the crowd. Mixed song queues and random jets of fog weave energy, surprise, and adrenaline through the crowds.
The general audience fills the bottom floor, with a grand elegant staircase alluring you and your friends up onto the elevated floors — to take in the scene and watch the crowd below you. Shining disco starlights hang suspended in the middle of the entire building. Pink and blue lights paint the walls and fenced floors like watercolor. A smoke room floor at the very top floor is coned off with glass, so if you enjoy cigarettes or are simply European, you don’t have to step out of the club and you can still enjoy the views of the uniquely ornamented interior. If you are a first timer in Paris, on a study abroad, or a quick weekend trip, Pachamama is perfect for a night.
Caveau de la Huchette is more than just a jazz bar — it’s a time capsule of rhythm, romance, and rebellion. Tucked beneath the cobbled lanes of Paris’ Latin Quarter, an underground cave turned to the hidden jazz bar that inspired the film “La La Land” is buzzing seven nights a week with crowds of all ages. With a €15 entry with different performers and bands each night given the type of jazz — i.e. Tuesday Blues — and a €10 entry for students, it is the perfect place to bring family and friends.
The ambient warm lighting reflects the fiery passion of the music, with bass-spinning and dancer-dipping shifting the cavern with an electric movement. Trace your hands upon the molded walls and sleek spiral staircase that welcomes any admirer of old-fashioned quartering.
As the oldest running jazz club in Paris, Caveau is known for featuring both experienced jazz veterans and emerging talent, continuing its tradition of protecting and sharing the importance of keeping the local music scene alive and passionate.
To spark the dance floor, seasoned locals trained in swing are hired by the bar to invite newcomers — ranging from eager strangers to shy couples — and break the ice through dance and jazz. From hearty saxophonists to soul-searching singing, music performances span from timeless French classics, to electrifying rock anthems, to even iconic Elvis Presley hits. Shake those hips, prance around with those knees, and let your body loose in the “swing” of the moment. There are plenty of lounges and seats planted by the walls for the designated wallflowers, who prefer to watch the symphony of humanity unfold before them.
Hugging the edge of the river Seine, an afro-beat hub called Wanderlust is a wonder of lust. The sultry jungled atmosphere is mixed with beams of black light streaking the ceiling like glowing dangerous lightsabers. The bamboo fenced walls and tables popular for being stood and danced on with their higher elevation, often to be able to see the massive DJ booth grounded at the head of the room.
Wanderlust draws in people with smooth moves not just on the dance floor, but in their approach to flirtatious conversation. Eye contact across the room in this atmosphere is mesmerizing under the hypnosis of hip whining. Bandana-ed, baggy clothed, and bold styles glitter the room in irresistibly eye-catching dresses and classic ‘90s heartbreaker outfits.The bass pumps so loud that ground pulses like a beating heart. The room erupts with chants to the lyrics and encourages cheering to spotlight dance moves that distract the rest of the crowd even for just a moment. No matter the language of each song, even though French is the most common, music needs no other translation than through the movement of your body.
Unlike Caveau de la Huchette, this is not the place to bring your parents to, (and not out of fear they could out-dance you), but it is one of the most unique clubs hearted in Paris for an affordable cover that ranges even down to $10-15 given the performer. The dream of a fiery Parisian fling just may find you in Wanderlust. With such a vibrant music scene, it is hard not to call this author’s favorite club Wanderlove.
