6 best jazz bars and clubs in Paris for 2025

Many of the stations on the Petite Ceinture (a former train line) have been brought back to life as restaurants, bars and even co-working spaces, but it’s La Gare, in the former Pont de Flandres station in the 19th arrondissement, that’s caught our eye. Born in 2017 under the patronage of the people behind La Fontaine, a former Parisian jazz bar, La Gare stands out by challenging prohibitive prices and offering nightly concerts in what used to be the station’s hall, with a ‘pay-what-you-can’ approach. If you really want to get a grasp on the genre, this venue is a must-visit. Beneath the four-metre-high ceiling, the focus is on quality, not elitism. You’ll find signs imploring you to put the music first and speak in a whisper, as well as performances from conservatory students, emerging artists, and established talents across all subgenres of jazz.

Where? 1 Avenue Corentin Cariou, Paris 19th arrondissement

16 April 1981. Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers inaugurated a venue on Rue des Petites-Écuries. The New Morning was born and has thrived for decades, pulsating with the rhythms of the biggest names in world music, jazz, reggae, soul, and funk. Today, over 40 years on, with its rich history and unmatched acoustics, the venue attracts fresh talent, successfully reinventing itself with new styles such as hip-hop and electronic music. Names such as the Israeli double bassist Avishai Cohen, the Tuaregs of Tamikrest, rising English star Camille Georgia and seasoned Chicago veteran Steve Coleman have all performed here. The New Morning is a musical temple like few others in Paris, and regular pilgrimages are highly recommended.

Where? 7-9 Rue des Petites-Écuries, Paris 10th arrondissement

Open since 1983 and dedicated to jazz since 1984, this former café/concert venue quickly specialised in fusion, where sizzling funk, bouncy grooves, and Caribbean vibes shake up melodies and get knees bouncing. Maria Rodriguez, the programmer steering this musical cruise through the tropics, has stayed true to her course from the very beginning. The atmosphere appeals to a younger, more laid-back crowd compared to neighbouring venues like Sunset/Sunside or Duc des Lombards. Concerts take place on the first floor, in a Brooklyn loft-style setting (complete with photos, bistro furniture, and exposed brick) and most concerts are around €20.

Where? 58 Rue des Lombards, Paris 1st arrondissement

Le Duc des Lombards, the most famous venue on Paris’s so-called ‘Jazz Street,’ also boasts the cosiest vibe out of all the local venues. It’s easy to imagine this attracting and reassuring American visitors who enjoy their bohemian experiences with a touch of comfort, but it does result in steeper prices. If your budget can be stretched a little, stay for the fantastic jam sessions on Friday and Saturday nights after the concerts. Financial considerations aside, Le Duc more than lives up to its international reputation, with outstanding acoustics, attentive service, and a programme curated by Sébastien Vidal of TSF Jazz. The line-up attracts the best of New York jazz (both native and influenced) across a wide range of styles, from swing to modern and even free jazz.

Where? 42 Rue des Lombards, Paris 1st arrondissement

Behind the unassuming heated terrace and narrow façade lies the pioneer of jazz on Rue des Lombards. The Sunset opened in May 1983 in the basement of a restaurant frequented by amateur musicians for jam sessions. An impressive roster of talent has graced this underground stage: Truffaz, Lockwood, Texier, and more. Today, the small stage under the Sunset's white vaulted ceilings is reserved for more electric, experimental, and niche combos. On the ground floor, the Sunside’s spacious hall (the largest on the street!) hosts headline acts in acoustic formations, delivering a decidedly more classic jazz experience.

Where? 60 Rue des Lombards, Paris 1st arrondissement.

This legendary space has welcomed people for about five centuries, but jazz musicians have ‘only’ been performing here since 1946. In fact, it was the first club in the capital to open its stage up to jazz music. Inside, there’s no phone signal and time seems to stand still: on the ground floor, a long, dimly lit bar; in the basement, towering medieval vaults blackened by countless sleepless nights, with heavy beams to rest your drink on. The only thing missing these days is the swirl of Gitane smoke to mask the scent of underground revelry (a mix of dampness and spilt drinks, since you asked). Each night, a band plays for a crowd of dancers, some more skilled than others – but all highly determined. At the Caveau, it’s serious swing dancing. The jazz here leans heavily towards swing, ragtime, and even blues. If you’re looking for experimental sounds you may be disappointed, but everyone else will likely have a great time in this utterly timeless atmosphere.

Where? 5 Rue de la Huchette, Paris 5th arrondissement