Best Karaoke Bars in Paris for Nightlife

Forget the quiet wine bars-Paris nights come alive with singing, laughter, and bad accents

You don’t need to be a professional singer to have the best night out in Paris. Some of the city’s most electric moments happen when strangers become a choir, strangers become friends, and someone yells "Encore!" after a shaky rendition of "La Vie en Rose." Karaoke isn’t just a novelty here-it’s a ritual. And the bars that do it right? They’re packed every weekend.

Forget the tourist traps near the Champs-Élysées. The real karaoke scene in Paris lives in the back rooms of neighborhood pubs, hidden down narrow alleys in Belleville, and in basements where the bass thumps louder than the Eiffel Tower’s light show. These aren’t places where you pay extra to sing. These are places where you’re welcomed-whether you hit the notes or not.

La Guitare Bleue: Where the locals go after midnight

Hidden behind a nondescript door in the 11th arrondissement, La Guitare Bleue doesn’t advertise. No neon signs. No Instagram influencers posing with microphones. Just a red velvet curtain, a small stage, and a crowd that’s already halfway through their third bottle of wine.

The playlist? 80% French pop, 20% global hits. You’ll hear Edith Piaf next to Adele, then a full table belting out "Bohemian Rhapsody" in perfect harmony. The staff doesn’t care if you can’t hit the high notes. They cheer louder when you try. The bar keeps a list of the most memorable performances-last month, a 72-year-old grandmother sang "I Will Survive" in French while dancing in heels. The crowd gave her a standing ovation.

Open until 3 a.m. on weekends. No reservations. Just show up. Arrive after 11 p.m. and you’ll likely get a spot. Come earlier, and you might be waiting an hour.

Le Petit Bain: Karaoke on the Seine

If you want to sing while floating past Notre-Dame, Le Petit Bain is your only option. This converted barge moored along the Seine turns into a karaoke lounge every Friday and Saturday night. The vibe? Beach party meets Parisian bohemian. String lights, wooden decks, and a sound system that doesn’t cut out when you belt out a power ballad.

The playlist is updated weekly, and the bar lets you request songs via QR code on your phone. No waiting. No awkward hand signals to the bartender. Just tap, submit, and wait for your turn. The crowd is young, international, and surprisingly good. You’ll hear students from Tokyo singing Taylor Swift, Argentinians doing Celine Dion, and locals tearing into Daft Punk.

It’s not cheap-€12 entry includes one free drink-but the view alone makes it worth it. The lights of the city reflect off the water as you sing. It’s the kind of night you remember forever.

Le Comptoir Général: Karaoke with a side of weird

Le Comptoir Général isn’t your typical bar. It’s part museum, part jungle lounge, part underground music club. The walls are lined with vintage African artifacts, stuffed animals hang from the ceiling, and the bar serves cocktails made with spices you’ve never heard of.

Every Thursday night, they turn the main room into a karaoke den. The twist? You can’t pick your own song. The DJ spins a random track from a giant vinyl wheel. You get 90 seconds to sing it-or don’t. Some people jump on stage and go full rockstar. Others freeze, laugh, and walk off. No one judges.

The crowd here is a mix of artists, expats, and locals who’ve been coming for years. It’s not about being good. It’s about being bold. One night, a man in a full penguin costume sang "My Heart Will Go On" while dancing with a mannequin. The crowd clapped. No one asked why.

La Belle Équipe: The neighborhood favorite

In the 10th arrondissement, just a few steps from Canal Saint-Martin, La Belle Équipe has been the go-to spot for locals since 2014. It’s small. It’s loud. It’s always full.

They have a dedicated karaoke machine with over 10,000 songs, including rare French covers of international hits. Want to sing "Billie Jean" in French? Done. How about "Sweet Caroline" in a Parisian accent? They’ve got it.

What sets this place apart? The crowd. It’s not tourists. It’s not influencers. It’s Parisians-teachers, bakers, engineers, artists-who come here to let loose. The owner, Sophie, remembers everyone’s name and their favorite songs. She’ll hand you a glass of wine before you even ask.

They don’t charge extra to sing. No cover. No time limits. Just a €5 drink minimum. And if you’re shy? They’ll pick you. Someone always does.

Bar des Musiciens: For the serious singers

Not all karaoke is about fun. Some people come to practice. To train. To get better. Bar des Musiciens in the 18th arrondissement is that place.

It’s run by a former opera singer who moved to Paris from Lyon. The sound system is studio-grade. The microphones are professional. The playlist includes opera arias, jazz standards, and Broadway showtunes alongside Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé.

This isn’t a party bar. It’s a workshop. You’ll see people warming up their voices before their turn. You’ll hear someone rehearsing a song three times in a row. The crowd is quiet, respectful, and genuinely supportive.

If you’ve ever wanted to sing in front of people who actually know what good vocal technique sounds like, this is your spot. The owner will give you feedback. Not criticism. Real advice. "Try breathing from your diaphragm," he’ll say. "You’re pushing too hard on the high note."

What to expect when you go

Karaoke in Paris doesn’t work like in Tokyo or New York. There’s no private room. No host in a sequined jacket. No apps to book slots weeks in advance. It’s raw. It’s spontaneous. And that’s why it’s better.

You’ll need to know a few things before you go:

• Timing matters. Karaoke nights are usually Thursday to Sunday. Most bars start around 9 p.m. and peak after midnight.
• Don’t expect English-only playlists. French songs dominate. But most places have international options-just ask.
• Bring cash. Many places don’t take cards for drink minimums or karaoke fees.
• Don’t be afraid to join in. Even if you’re not singing, clapping, dancing, and shouting "Encore!" is part of the culture.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be standing. Dancing. Maybe even doing the Macarena.

Why karaoke in Paris works

Parisians don’t do karaoke because they think they’re good. They do it because they know music is about connection. It’s not about perfection. It’s about showing up. Laughing when you mess up. Singing louder when you’re nervous. Letting someone else take the mic even if you’re on a roll.

These bars aren’t just places to drink. They’re places where strangers become a community. Where a shy tourist from Kansas sings "Hallelujah" and walks out with three new friends. Where a French retiree who hasn’t sung since his wedding day finally lets himself be heard.

Paris has a thousand ways to spend the night. But only a few let you become part of the music.