Les Furieux

74, Rue de la Roquette, 75011 Paris (Map)
Phone: 01 47 00 78 44
Métro: Bastille
Website

Les Furieux is one of the rockingest and trashiest bars in Paris (but my French fiancée thinks it's corny and hates it, which sort of makes it even more awesome!). There are very few rock n' roll bars in Paris, and there's almost no rock scene to speak of at all, so for me Les Furieux is a welcome oasis of rock in a not terribly rocking city. The music is usually metal or goth-industrial, the staff and clientele are decked out in rocker gear and heavily tattooed, and the beer is — well, I was going to say cheap, but let's say less overpriced than most other bars in Paris. There's tons of eye candy everywhere in terms of the constant fashion show that's going on in there and the frequently-changing artwork on the walls. It all makes for a really fun ambiance, and a certain kind of laid back vibe that's pretty rare in this city. Last time I was there, I happened to glance up from my whiskey and see a line of people waiting by the bathroom door looking annoyed — odd, but I forgot about it a second later — and then a few minutes later I saw the bouncer pound on the door and then throw out a local semi-rockstar acquaintance of mine, along with his young lady friend. It's that kind of place; it's sleazy and silly and fun, and I dig it.