Best Jazz Clubs in Paris

At a Glance:

Introduction

Paris, often called the City of Lights, is a place you can’t imagine at night without including its spectacular jazz. Since the roaring 20’s, jazz has served as an integral part of its nightlife and soul, as some might say. 

While jazz may not have originated in Paris, Paris was the first city to hold an international jazz festival. Nowadays, it’s earned its spot as Europe’s jazz capital. 

Artists from all over the world have come to perform in Paris, just as Paris has produced some of the leading musicians itself. 

The world’s love for jazz may not come just from the music itself, though. If you walk into a Parisian jazz club, you’re likely to get intoxicated by the smokey, sultry atmosphere, the colorful lights, and the cold cocktails as well as the music. 

Jazz, traditionally, is a vibrant experience that encourages you to loosen up and embrace life. 

For that reason, as well as many of the clubs’ strong cocktails, you may consider taking the metro or the RER. We’ve included what lines to take in the clubs’ descriptions. 

Caveau de la Huchette

5 rue de la Huchette

 01 43 26 65 05

Officially established as a jazz club in 1946, Caveau de la Huchette has served an important role in French history since before the 16th century. 

Originally these underground caves were meeting grounds for the Templars and the Freemasons. Then, during French Revolutionary times, Rousseau and others met here, with some even executed in its chambers. 

Today, it’s one of the best jazz clubs in Paris. 

 Caveau de la Huchette was even featured in the hit film La la Land in which you can witness Ryan Gosling’s character playing a soft piano piece on its main stage. 

Today, since the Covid-19 pandemic, Caveau de la Huchette has only just recently reopened to the public (in September 2021). 

If you decide to buy tickets in this hot jazz club, you can count on a cool underground location and drinks. 

Here are some of the features and highlights of Caveau de la Huchette: 

• Located in the Latin Quarter neighborhood
• Nostalgic spirit of Old Paris and transportive atmosphere
• Artist appearances including Jean-Paul Amouroux and Giovanni Basso
• Historic, with tours available
• Featured in films
• Booking / ticket purchase necessary 

Plus, Caveau de la Huchette is just a 2 minutes’ walk from Notre Dame. After a late afternoon of visiting the grand cathedral, you can cool off (or wind up— depending on how you jazz) and experience hours of smooth Parisian jazz and nightlife. 

How to get there: 

The best way to get to Caveau de la Huchette is via Paris Metro (line 4) or the RER (lines B and C). 

Sunset/Sunside

60 Rue des Lombards, 75001 Paris, France

+33 (0)1 40 26 46 60

Considered a gem among jazz lovers and musicians, Sunset / Sunside is open all year round. 

Because it’s located in the center of Paris, in Les Halles, you get access to attractions such as the Fountaine des Innocents, as well as lively cafes and a grand shopping mall. 

Sunset / Sunside is known for its signature, lively atmosphere, cozy lighting, and one more important thing— its two, opposite personalities. 

This club is special, since it’s actually two clubs in one. It’s not one, but two, of the best jazz clubs in Paris!

Guests walk into the ground floor hearing modern, electric music from around the world and then descend into transportive, acoustic jazz in its basement. 

Here are some of the features and highlights of Sunset/Sunside: 

• 2-in-1 jazz club experience, with both an electric and acoustic hall
• Cozy, intimate listening experience
• Close proximity to metro and RER
• Affordable parking available 
• Global prestige, with high profile artists 

The club isn’t [yet] a historical site, since it’s only been up since 1983; however, you’ll get to experience the stark contrast between the old and contemporary music styles.  

You’ll be up and close to the musicians with 200 fellow guests at this venue. For that, it’s been dubbed an intimate and interactive experience. 

The electric ground floor called Sunset is known to serve genre fusions that you can groove to, and they even have discs available to purchase there if you want to bring the music home. 

How to get there:

Transportation-wise, it’s most convenient and cheap to take the metro. The closest metro exits are Châtelet (lines 1, 4, 7, 11, 14) and the  RER Châtelet-Les Halles (A, B & D). 

The club also has 5-hour parking available for 7€, which you can purchase alongside your tickets at the entrance. 

Jazz Cafe Montparnasse

13 Rue du Commandant René Mouchotte, 75014 Paris, France

+33 1 43 21 58 89

In this jazz club, the drinks and the jazz almost never cease to pour. Cafe Montparnasse offers concerts and shows 6 days out of the week (every day except Sunday), from 6:30pm to 2am. 

As seen in its name, it’s located in the Montparnasse neighborhood of Paris. 

Montraparnasse is an area of Paris with Bohemian roots and where artists, musicians, and writers have flocked traditionally. It’s a hot spot for the city’s jazz scene for sure. 

The Jazz Cafe naturally captures the free and creative spirit of the neighborhood, welcoming travelers from all walks of life and nationalities to it. 

Here are some of the features and highlights of Jazz Cafe Montparnasse: 

• Shows on the weekdays also available 
• 3-Course dinner + show special, around 55€
• Open-mic nights
• Friendly atmosphere, welcoming international musicians and guests
• Homey atmosphere

This club was formerly known as Petit Journal Montparnasse before 2017, when Belaid Behlharet renovated it. Behlharet aims to make the club feel like a guesthouse, serving home-style dinners and providing comfortable armchairs for its guests to relax. 

Guests report a friendly service overall, and several say that open-mic night is their favorite time to come. Monday’s open-mic nights provide a chance to hear low-key musicians, and these include French as well as international performers. 

You also can’t pass up their signature cocktails. Guests like to enjoy a drink and view out on the club terrace before they return to the bustling jazz inside. 

How to get there: 

For transportation, you’ll want to take either Gaité metro (line 13) or the Montparnasse-Bienveüe metro (lines 4,6,12, or 13).  

Luckily, this club is less than 2 minutes from Montparnasse Station. You’ll also find attractions like Theatre Bobino and the Atlantic Gardens nearby. 

Jazz Club Etoile

81 Bd Gouvion-Saint-Cyr, 75017 Paris, France

+33 1 40 68 30 42

Located in the Ternes neighborhood, this mythical jazz sanctuary has been running for 40 years. It’s since featured artists like BB King, Oscar Peterson, Ike Turner, Lionel Hampton, Cab and the Mighty Mo Rodgers— just to name a few. 

Jazz Club Etoile has been a favorite among jazz fans ever since, and today, you can see shows starting from 7:30pm, Tuesday through Saturday. 

Walking in, you just might get lost in all the blues in this Paris jazz club. Blues isn’t a reference to the music genre— almost all the lights, table cloths, decorations, and walls are colored an enchanting, twilight blue.  

Blue is the signature color, and a big source of its iconic reputation and atmosphere. It holds up to 250 guests to create a full, yet still intimate, experience for music lovers. 

Plus, if you enjoy cocktails with your jazz, you’ll appreciate Etoile’s extensive menu. It’s loaded with cocktails and more than 80 single malt whiskeys alone. 

Here are some of the features and highlights of Jazz Club Etoile: 

• Bright, transportative atmosphere / highly aesthetic 
• Show and drink special (purchase a ticket, first drink is free)
• Interior restaurant with wide variety and multicultural dishes 
• Extensive cocktail and drink menu 
• Long-standing reputation 

Named after the American jazz vibraphonist, Etoile has kept Parisians and tourists happy ever since Moustache, a prominent French jazz drummer, opened it in 1976. 

It’s truly an iconic must-see if you come to the Ternes neighborhood. Local musicians and international artists alike flock here.  

How to get there: 

If you’re using the metro, you should take lines 1, 2, and 6; line A for the RER.