Looking for the best jazz clubs and bars in Paris? Because after a long day of visiting famous sights and best museums, what could be better than an evening of enjoying live jazz? Paris, the jazz capital of Europe, is home to many renowned clubs. Duc des Lombards, Sunset Sunside and Le Caveau de la Huchette are clubs that every jazz lover should definitely visit. Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Django Reinhardt… all these talented and famous musicians lived in Paris for many years.
When the First World War came to an end, Parisians were eager to relax after this dark period. American soldiers and ex-pats brought jazz music to Paris and it was incredibly successful. Today, Paris is still a haven for many jazz musicians. And many of them are luckier in Europe than in America. Here are the 9 best cafes and clubs for live jazz music. And we also share the best jazz festivals that are organized annually, such as Paris Jazz Festival and Jazz à la Villette. Time for some jazz!
• Fun to do: Paris Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour + Cruise on the Seine (1h) →
1. Le Duc des Lombards: one of the best jazz clubs and bars in Paris (1st)
Duc de Lombards is one of the best and most famous jazz bars and clubs in Paris and comes alive in the evenings with legends like Miles Davis but also with newcomers who are fully experimenting. A visionary owner, good piano and close bond between audience and musicians are the ingredients for a success that has existed for more than 50 years. The cocktails and food are also excellent.
42 Rue des Lombards, 75001 Paris | Ducdeslombards.com →
2. Chez Papa Jazz Club: New York atmosphere in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th)
Chez Papa Jazz Club is located in the heart of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. A small, intimate place where the walls are covered in graffiti. This jazz bar has a New York atmosphere and the menu is thoroughly French. It offers excellent live music every evening and at the end of the evening local musicians come out to jam. When the weather is nice, take a seat on the cozy terrace and enjoy a delicious meal.
3 Rue Saint-Benoît, 75006 Paris | Papajazzclub-paris.fr →
3. Le Bal Blomet: the oldest live jazz club in Paris (15th)
Le Bal Blomet is the oldest jazz club in Paris and one of our favorites. Joséphine Baker, Maurice Chevalier, Mistinguett, Man Ray, Henry Miller, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Jean Cocteau were among the celebrity guests. There are concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The rest of the week it functions as a bar and restaurant. Recommended.
33 Rue Blomet, 75015 Paris | Balblomet.fr →
4. Le Piano Vache: manouche jazz in the Latin Quarter (5th)
Le Piano Vache is located in the 5th arrondissement, a bit hidden behind the Pantheon in the Latin Quarter student district. It has been around since 1969 and has been offering ‘manouche’ (gypsy jazz) concerts on Monday evenings for 20 years. It has a cozy atmosphere and is mainly visited by locals and students. Fan of Django Reinhardt? Then this jazz bar is definitely worth a visit.
8 Rue Laplace, 75005 Paris | Facebook.com/pianovacheparis5 →
5. Sunset/Sunside: acoustic and electro jazz (2nd)
This iconic jazz club is known for its jazz fusion, with acoustic jazz in the basement (Sunside) and electro-jazz upstairs (Sunset). Inside, Sunset/Sunside has a beautiful vaulted ceiling and dimly lit salon that gives it an intimate atmosphere. The club’s motto is ‘the club of all jazz’, because all types of jazz are played here. On the first floor there is also an American bar.
60 Rue des Lombards, 75001 Paris | Sunset-sunside.com →
6. New Morning: jazz, blues, groove, urban and world music (10th)
The New Morning opened in 1981 with a concert by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers. It is located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, housed in the old printing house of the French newspaper ‘Le Petit Journal’. Although it is mainly known as a jazz club, you can also enjoy blues, groove, urban and world music. Some performances are sometimes broadcast live on French radio.
7/9 R. des Petites Écuries, 75010 Paris | Newmorning.com →
7. Le Caveau de la Huchette: torture chamber during the French Revolution (5th)
Opened in 1949, Le Caveau de la Huchette is an iconic jazz club in Paris with a fascinating history. During the French Revolution this place was a torture chamber. Now there are old weapons hanging on the walls in the basement. Many big names such as Memphis Slim, Bill Coleman, Sidney Bechet and Sacha Distel have performed here. The club was also used as a setting for many films such as La La Land.
5 Rue de la Huchette, 75005 Paris | Caveaudelahuchette.fr →
8. Le Baiser Salé: jazz fusion and world music with atmosphere (1st)
Le Baiser Salé is one of the three main Parisian jazz clubs on the famous rue des Lombards in the historic Les Halles district. For jazz fusion and world music you have to go to Le Baiser Salé. The club is incredibly popular with locals and tourists. The cozy candlelit atmosphere and the eclectic musical offering create a unique and refined atmosphere that appeals to many fans of the genre.
58 Rue des Lombards, 75001 Paris | Lebaisersale.com →
9. 38 Riv’: warm and authentic acoustics in Le Marais (5th)
The 38 Riv’ Jazz Club, an intimate club and bar, is located in the trendy Le Marais district of Paris. The vaulted cellar from the 12th century offers warm and authentic acoustics. It is a nice place for musical encounters: from jazz to Latin jazz, including funk and baroque. On Friday and Saturday evenings the club hosts a late jam starting at midnight.
38 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris | 38riv.com →
Extra: best jazz festivals in Paris – calendar 2024
• Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés: from May 13 to 20, 2024 | Festivaljazzsaintgermainparis.com
• Le Châtelet fait son jazz: from May 22 to May 27, 2024 | Chatelet.com
• La Défense Jazz Festival: from June 24 to June 30, 2024 | Ladefensejazzfestival.hauts-de-seine.fr
• Festival Django Reinhardt : from June 27 to 30, 2024 | Festivaldjangoreinhardt.com
• Paris Jazz Festival: from June 30 to September 8, 2024 | Festivalsduparcfloral.paris
• Jazz à la Villette: from August 29 to September 8, 2024 | Jazzalavillette.com
• Jazz sur Seine: from October 11 to October 26, 2024 | Parisjazzclub.net
These were some of the best live jazz clubs, bars and cafes in Paris. From the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district to Montmartre or the area around Les Halles: Paris and jazz have a special relationship. The City of Light is and remains a fantastic place for jazz lovers. Maybe also something for you: 7x Best cocktail bars in Paris to discover asap.
These are the best hotels to stay in Paris right now
- 7x Best hotels closest to Eiffel Tower with view
- 7x Best cheap hotels in Paris to spend the night
- 6x Best boutique hotels in Le Marais Paris
- 5x Best boutique hotels in Montmartre Paris
- 12x Romantic hotels in Paris for a weekend getaway
- 7x Best luxury hotels in Paris with 5 stars
- 8x Most charming hotels in Paris to dream away
- More hotels in Paris? Have a look at booking.com
