Les Souffleuses

A two-storey queer bar in the heart of the Marais

At 7 Rue de la Verrerie, just two minutes from the Hôtel de Ville, Les Souffleuses has taken over from the former bar, Les Souffleurs. Two atmospheres, two floors. Upstairs, the bar counter, perfect for pre-dinner drinks and early-evening chats. Downstairs, a vaulted cellar that turns into a dance floor as the night wears on.

According to online reviews, it’s a queer bar in every sense of the word: you’ll find lesbians, trans people, gay people, queers and their friends there, and there’s a place for everyone. No dress code – just come as you are.

The best time to go: drinks, then midnight

Come early if you want to make the most of happy hour, which runs until 9 pm: a pint for the price of a half-pint and cocktails at €8.50. Outside happy hour, expect to pay between €4 (half-pint) and €8.50 (pint) for a beer, and around €10 for a cocktail. Entry is free; you only pay for your drinks.

Events to watch out for in the calendar

From Thursday to Saturday, the cellar hosts queer collectives. The most regular event on the calendar is Grosse Énergie, SASHA KILLS’ ‘hyper queer gabber / hardtechno’ night, with free entry, running until 5am at the weekend. Queer du bled has also spun records there, mixing Arabic pop and house with techno and hard groove. Under its former name, the venue hosted the Kings Factory drag king nights; according to Time Out, drag king open mic nights are still a regular feature here.