Les Trois Baudets

This is one of Time Out's 100 best bars in Paris. Click here to see the full list.

Founded in 1947 by Jacques Canetti, Les Trois Baudets is a mythical place where numerous great talents of the last century – Jaques Brel, Georges Brassens, Boris Vian, Raymond Devos, Jeanne Moreau, Boby Lapointe, Juliette Gréco – made their debuts. But the venue fell on hard times, and became just another Pigalle sex shop and erotic cabaret, until in the 1990s it became the focus of a massive government restoration project. After five years of thorough renovation, it reopened in 2009, rediscovering its true vocation as a breeding ground for French musical talent. Today, this huge art deco building with its vast glass façades includes a beautiful 250-seater underground concert hall and an upstairs bar/restaurant, and is the place to discover the latest trends in French music, in all its variety. Popular song, rock, electro, rap – anything goes, as long as it’s sung in the language of Gainsbourg. The programming is audacious and eclectic, and the concerts are either free or at a symbolic price. On weekends, there are occasional hip-hop or electro nights. Visit the website for more details (French only).