So here’s the deal, I’m gathering information rather than rewriting what exists on the web, so you will discover the rich history of some of these venues by clicking on the links provided (mostly wiki…) .
Venue capacities are indicative, hard to get the precise numbers, also some venues depend on configurations with optional seats.
Sure, the initial motivation came from witnessing the beauty of so many theatres converted into concert halls (it struck me while looking at the ceiling in Le Trianon before the Metric gig, marvelling/wondering at the history of some of these classic venues, so that night I decided on doing this page), but I’ve tried to include all venues I’ve been to, including some that are now shut, and in fact a couple I’ve not been to (yet) . There are different types of venues: a lot of old theatres/dance-/music-halls, a few modern concert venues, and a fair amount of more recent (it’s a modern concept) multi-purpose ‘cultural’ venues that sometimes include a bar/restaurant functioning independently of the concerts. Litte bits of history all over the place. Not so much with the modern venues, but I thought I’d try to do the job properly.
L’Alhambra : capacity 600
Métro: République.
This is in fact a relatively new venue (opened 2008) in an ancient train workers community centre, located 300m from the original Alhambra music all from the mid 19th century, that was demolished in 1967. Only been once, this year (2023), but I like it.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alhambra_(Paris)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alhambra_(Paris)
Backstage By The Mill (O’Sullivans): capacity 350
Métro: Blanche
Not sure when this actually opened, but as the link below reminds you, this is where the MCM Café (MCM used to be a French Music TV Channel) used to be and they had concerts there. So I guess they didn’t have to change the arrangement much maybe. This is a little further out from the classical venues on the same avenue, and doesn’t have the building history most have around there. I’d actually been to the pub that the venue is part of a few times in many years before finally making it to the concert venue. It’s very much not like the other ‘bar/restaurant+gig venue’ places in Paris, as the pub itself is quite a big thing for late night parties etc. Actually maybe the backstage bit is just mostly the nightclub bit on these nights! Not a bad venue, not the great venue, I found the mixing desk too big/awkwardly located, and the bar on the side slightly inconvenient as you can hear bar staff shaking cocktails when the music is not too loud….
https://www.backstage-btm.com/en/
Badaboum: capacity 250
Métro: Bastille
A new venue opened as recently as 2013, and includes a separate cocktail bar. 2023 is the first time I went. It’s conveniently located near Bastille and I really like that type of space/concert room, small but with a big enough and visible enough stage. Decent sound too.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Badaboum
Le Bataclan : capacity 1500
Métro: Oberkampf
Built in 1864 as a café-concert. Now sadly and forever associated with the terrorist attacks of 13/11/2015.
A classic venue.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bataclan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bataclan_(theatre)
Le Batofar: capacity 300
I have been told it no longer exists. Very unique. Special memory of a Bright Eyes concert there with Anne and Des (though I couldn’t stay until the end), when the roof was leaking but the music was absoutely fantastic.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batofar
Bercy (ex POPB, now Accor Arena) : capacity 20000
Métro: Bercy
A huge and recent-ish (it was recent when I was a teenager ;-)) venue, and that is not exclusively hosting concerts. Lots of sports being played there.
It’s too big, but it’s the only place The Cure are playing in Paris these days. I also went to see Pavarotti and friends there once.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palais_omnisports_de_Paris-Bercy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accor_Arena
La Boule Noire : capacity 200
Métro: Anvers or Pigalle
Attenant to La Cigale, the functional and very square room doesn’t look like it has much history in itself, but the place itself has some, dating back from 1822.
Particular memory: the Libertines in 2004. Bit mad to get in as I was supposed to be on the guestlist (thanks to helping with the hosting of a Libs-themed photo exhibition in Paris), but as ever, it was a mess (who is the manager…? Pete’s manager? The band’s manager?) and in fact, they played without Peter Doherty that night.
It’s a great little venue.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Boule_noire_(salle_de_spectacle)
Cabaret Sauvage: capacity 1200 (standing), I’m actually amazed, I have never been, but I always assumed it was a small venue, smaller than Le Trabendo. Not sure where I got that idea from.
Métro : Porte de Pantin
I include this as it is part of the venues in Parc de La Villette, but for various circumstancial reasons, I have actually not yet attended a concert there. Opened in 1997. Edit: April 2024: I have now been, and I think it’s a wonderful venue, big but not too big, modern, good bar, great set-up and sound. Just a little further to walk to than Le Zénith, but also lovely location by the canal.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_Sauvage
Le Café de la Danse: capacity 500.
Métro: Bastille.
I have apparently been there to see Dot Allison in June 2002. I don’t remember it at all (ok these were healing times). According to my review, I got a ticket for free, and also it was very shit. That doesn’t say anything about the venue, mind. So no idea if it’s a good one. (Edit after Coach Party Nov 2023: yes it’s very good!)
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Caf%C3%A9_de_la_Danse
Casino de Paris : capacity 2000
Métro: Liège/Trinité d’Estienne Dorves
Another one I have never been to, but with a substantial history.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casino_de_Paris
La Cigale : capacity 1400
Métro: Anvers/Pigalle
Another café-concert/theatre, built in 1887 and one of those where the floor can really get bouncing. Another good venue. There is a bar next door called La Fourmi, as a nod to Jean de la Fontaine.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Cigale
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Cigale
L’Elysee Montmartre : capacity 1400 (possibly, seems hard to get a reliable figure)
Métro: Anvers.
An old ballroom opened in 1807. A pretty good venue, though maybe it doesn’t have, indoors, the charm of the neighbouring Trianon and Cigale. The railings in front of the bar at the back offer a great view if you can’t be near the front. Memories association that come to mind are a pretty pointless Killers gig (for some reason I always put this one as the most disappointing gig ever), and also, weirdly, I have a memory association that includ a Mars Volta gig and smoking. I was wondering whether it was because there was so much smoking or if it was because of the stale smell of concert venues just post smoking band. Having checked the review, seems it was neither as it was a bit before the ban, with just a few smokers. Memory works in strange ways sometimes (side note, not at EM, but I noticed that I saw a Mark Lanegan gig that I marked as one of the best of the year in 2004, and I have absolutely no recollection of it, and no I wasn’t on drugs….)
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89lys%C3%A9e-Montmartre
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89lys%C3%A9e_Montmartre
Les Etoiles : capacity 500
Métro: Château d’Eau
Café-concert opened in 1876, inaugurated in his current guise in 2014. Nice little venue with a great scene, but somehow, I still remain unconvinced by the acoustics.
FGO Barbara : capacity 300
Métro La Chapelle/Gare du Nord
A very recent venue, opened in 2008. Nice little bar outside the gig room, nice scene (I do like places like that and Hasard Ludique with a wide enough scene but not a deep room, that’s where the proportions of the Popup! are so so so wrong to enjoy concerts), and while I have only been there one, great acoustics I think.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/FGO-Barbara
La Fléche d’Or: capacity 500
Well it is no longer there, but it was a very nice place, in an old train station. Last gig there for me was Mew, where I randomly bumped into Ally (Arsenal mate) just outside the venue. A cool moment.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Fl%C3%A8che_d%27or_(Paris)
Gaîté Lyrique : capacity 700
Métro: Réaumur-Sébastopol
One of the best monuments from outside (unlike a lot of the other cool venues, you can actually see the splendid façade there without having to step back).
A lot of history dating back from the 18th century, re-opened in 2011. Inside it’s a mix of modern and old, very nice rooms for one of the bars. The concert venue itself is pretty good too.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ga%C3%AEt%C3%A9-Lyrique
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A9%C3%A2tre_de_la_Ga%C3%AEt%C3%A9_(rue_Papin)
Le Grand Rex : capacity 2700? Or 500? I’m not sure actually which room is the concert room
Métro: Bonne Nouvelle
It is a big cinema with several rooms. Been twice I think, Sigur Ros (the support act was good too) and what turned out to be the last concert from th’faith healers.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Grand_Rex
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Rex
Le Hasard Ludique : capacity 250
Métro: Porte de St Ouen
A bit of a pain to get to and from as far as I am concerned, but a fantastic little venue with a nice bar outside the gig room and a section down by the old train tracks with tables and all, so a really cool place even without concerts. The history of the old station it is essentially in dates back from the mid-19th century. Opened in its current version in 2017
https://www.lehasardludique.paris/le-lieu
Maison de la Mutualité: capacity 1800
Métro: Maubert-Mutualité
Not sure if it’s much used for concerts especially these days, but one Asian Dub Foundation gig there was great! When I was still (very occasionally) stage-diving.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maison_de_la_Mutualit%C3%A9
La Maroquinerie ; capacity 500
Métro: Gambetta
One of my favourite venues, even if it is not quite ideal for me to get to/from. Nice bar upstairs, the concert place is downstairs, small and nice. Favourite memory is that Merz concert. Probably smallest attendance ever, just that moment when he started and we were all just sitting on the sides, nobody in the main standing area and he invited us to move in and I was the first to move, which is unusual for me but felt good. And he was such a nice bloked, the post-gig chat was a happy moment.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Maroquinerie
New Morning : capacity 500
Métro : Château d’eau.
To be fair, I’ve only been twice I think, and both times not really that great. But then it’s normally/traditionally a jazz club.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Morning_(club)
Nouveau Casino : capacity 400
Métro: Ménilmontant or Parmentier
I haven’t been for years, but it used to be a regular venue for me. Pretty good place. Good memories, notably of a Go! Team gig, and Noisettes. In fact I had to check the review to see Noisettes were actually the support band for The Kooks that night, but I don’t remember the Kooks at all, as Noisettes stole the show (sometimes my memory is just hyper-selective).
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouveau_Casino
L’Olympia : capacity 2000
Métro: Madeleine/Opéra/Auber
One of the most well-known and classic concert/shows venue in Paris. In fact it is the oldest music-hall still in activity, opened in 1893. A pretty good room, with the floor going up at the back which is very handy.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympia_(Paris)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympia_(Paris)
Pan Piper : capacity 550
Métro: Philippe-Auguste
The venue itself is not much to talk about, a pretty standard room with a big stage. Seems like an important place for the South American community in Paris
Petit Bain 450
Métro: Quai de La Gare
Another of these espaces culturels (ie gig venue+ bar/restaurant), actually a great little venue. Best vantage point if you can’t get to the front: the little ramp on the right.
Point Ephemère: capacity 300
Métro: Jaurès
I haven’t been in ages, but it’s a very cool venue by the Canal Saint Martin. Reviews suggests concerts ran late (not sure if it would still be the case these days), but some great performances, notably by The Duke Spirit and The Robocop Kraus.
October 2023 edit: well I have been three times again, it’s still a great venue, even improved in some ways as far as the whole place is concerned. But when it comes to the concert room, there is a huge problem with having cut the access at the back from the bar room: now with only one entrance to the side, it’s not great particularly if you’re not early. Not sure it’s that safe either if anything bad happens.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_%C3%89ph%C3%A9m%C3%A8re
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_%C3%89ph%C3%A9m%C3%A8re
Le Pop-Up du Label (aka POPUP!)
Métro: Gare de Lyon: capacity unknown but not much
Not a lot of history in these walls. The venue itself is cool, especially the bar, it’s nicely located. BUT. The concert room is not quite fit for purpose. I mean, it’s perfect if you’ve got less than 50 people and an acoustic concert, but otherwise, there are pillars, the stage is too narrow (room for less than ten people side by side), while the room is relatively deep in proportion. So unless you’re tall and/or at the very front (be lucky, early or know people), you will not have the best of visual experience. So it’s a frustrating venue, mostly, perfect for Skullcrusher, not so much for the Mysterines.
Salle Pleyel : capacity 2500
Métro: Ternes/Charles de Gaulle-Etoile
Opened in 1927, originally for classical music (until 2015), but now hosting a lot of ‘big’ bands. It’s fairly big, a mix of sits and standing, and obviously the acoustics there are just absolutely perfect.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salle_Pleyel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salle_Pleyel
Supersonic : capacity 300
Métro: Bastille
Not a bad place, mostly because the entrance fee for most of the gigs is….zero. Yes it’s free and the venue itself, over two levels, is cool. Weirdly, you have to pay if you want to get in late after the concerts, but it looks always busy at weekends.
There is also the smaller Supersonic Records venue attached to it. Capacity of that is less than 100 I’d say.
Le Trabendo : capacity 700
Métro: Porte de Pantin
The smallest of the venues in Parc de La Villette, a very good venue with excellent sound and a relatively original set-up.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Trabendo
Le Trianon : capacity 1000
Métro: Anvers
Another bouncing floor theatre, initially built in 1894, beautiful inside and outside, just next door to L’Elysée-Montmartre. Very good venue.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Trianon_(theatre) https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Trianon_(Paris)
Le Triptyque
Up rue Montmartre (past the pub that used to be The Horse’s Mouth then the Lions now Thirsty Mad Cat (I think).
It was the place where Alan McGee organised his Poptones gigs, so I saw quite a few bands around there at some point.
It doesn’t exist anymore but has a facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/letriptyquedepaname/
Le Zénith : capacity 6000
Métro: Porte de Pantin
The bigger rock venue in La Villette. Always found the sound good there, but I’ve heard some people say it’s shit. Bit too big a venue for me so I tend to avoid bands playing there these days. Inaugurated in 1984, it was meant to be a temporary venue for three years, but it proved popular and the rest is history.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Z%C3%A9nith_Paris_-_La_Villette