The insider’s guide on where to party, stay, shop, and eat in Paris
We went to an American who has lived in Paris for over a decade to get the inside scoop.
Alex Bollinger, the editor-in-chief of LGBTQ Nation, GayCities‘ sister site, has traveled the world, but Paris is home. An American ex-pat, he’s called the City of Love home for decades.
So, who better to ask where to go and what to do when you’re tired of visiting all the monuments and museums?
GayCities chatted with Alex to get his quick take on where to party, where to stay, and what to eat when you’re one of Europe’s most popular destinations. Get his insider take below.
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GAYCITIES: When you go out with your friends, where do you bar hop, and in what order?
ALEX: There are so many great places to go in Paris; I’ll describe my last weekend.
I went to Les Souffleuses – before known as “Les Souffleurs” before closing for a bit and then coming back after having transitioned. It’s in the Marais, Paris’ gayborhood. After a while, we went over to the Quetzal, which is usually packed and isn’t that far. That was Saturday night.
On Sunday afternoon, I went to Buttes Chaumont Park, where there’s a great outdoor gay-ish bar called Rosa Bonheur. I usually run into someone I know there, which happened this weekend when I saw an old bear friend who I hadn’t seen in years.
Which one is your favorite?
Honestly La Rosa Bonheur. Drinks aren’t that expensive (well, for Paris) and the view is amazing.
Who is the best drag queen in the city?
La Deliche, for her beauty both inside and out.
Which hotel do you suggest for out-of-town friends?
Ha, usually I just let people sleep on my couch since my friends are broke radical faeries. But I do know someone who had actual money who stayed at the Hotel Beaubourg and said it was nice. It’s centrally located, not too far from a few sites like the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Sainte-Chappelle, and, of course, Beaubourg, the modern art museum. And it’s very close to the Marais… and the Jewish neighborhood in the Marais is in walking distance, and there are a lot of good places to eat there.
What is your favorite food and where do you get it in Paris?
The previous question has me thinking about the famous falafel shops of the Marais. Go there. It’s cheap, full of people, the portions are generous, and I don’t know anywhere in Europe where they do better falafel.
What’s the best part about the nightlife in Paris?
It’s not that expensive… I kid! But if you can forget about prices for a bit, there is something for everyone. Do you want to hang out with bears? Go to the Bear’s Den, people are really friendly there. Want to dance instead? There’s Freedj. Want a more inclusive, feminist place to hang out? There’s La Mutinerie not too far from the Marais. Don’t like clothes? L’Impact Bar… well, that’s all I’ll say about that one at my place of employment.
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