When I found out I would be visiting Paris for the very first time, my thoughts quickly turned to finding the hottest spots to party. Sitting in my suburban Missouri bedroom, the research began. And despite my best efforts, I couldn’t find much information. Perhaps the Parisians didn’t party the way I expected? But that couldn’t be the case. It seemed the answers I sought lay in good old-fashioned who-you-know. And now, I stand here post-Parisian adventure, with a contact list full of French DJs and drag queens, ready to share all my best tips to inform your hypothetical aventure française.
To best understand French club culture, it’s essential to look back at France’s queer history. France is most certainly a global proponent for queer rights, decriminalizing homosexuality in 1798. For comparison, the first American state to decriminalize homosexuality, Illinois, did not do so until 1962. This French feat led to queer artists openly establishing themselves much earlier. Historian Andrew Leer cites the success of writers Proust, Cocteau, and Colette as examples of this acceptance.
Through the 1940s and 1950s, a type of performance artist called a transformiste rose in popularity. And as you may have guessed by the name, a transformiste is a celebrity impersonator who “transforms” (get it) into one or more celebrities in a single night. These performers would use the power of hair, makeup, and costume to fully become the celebrities they were impersonating. While this is a slightly different art form than drag, it is still a very notable display of gender expression in French history. These performances took place in cabarets, and you can still join the party at iconic Paris cabarets, like Madame Arthur.
In the modern day, Paris is not only a global juggernaut for fashion but for drag as well. In 2022, “Drag Race France” premiered its first season, with two additional seasons following since. The show has amassed millions of views worldwide, propelling the careers of the drag queens it’s featured.
Whether on “Drag Race” or in the club scene, French drag today has become a perfect blend of traditional cabaret elements and current avant-garde performance styles. If you step into a queer, French party, expect to see drag queens as DJs, emcees, or just dressed up for the fun of it. While the transformiste style is now less common, expect to see a celebrity inspired look or two on your night out. French drag queens are also incredibly fashion-forward, so it’s no surprise that Paris-based fashion designers, such as Kevin Germanier, have adopted drag queens as their muses and runway models.
Now that we’re on the same page historically, here are some of my tips and observations to make your Parisian clubbing experience magnifique. One element of French clubbing that surprised me was the general air of modesty among its attendees. You would be more likely to see a sweater and jeans than a crop top and mini skirt. However, this sentiment is reversed in the context of queer events. At a queer party organized by clubs like La Bitch, La Fierce, or La Purple, expect to see “Scantily Clad Eccentricity” as the unofficial dress code.
Another important note is the sanctity of language. You will immediately be viewed as less cool if you are loudly and annoyingly American. So, speak French if you can, and if you can’t, keep the English to a minimum until you get inside the venue.
You know what to wear and how to behave, and now, you’ve entered the club. What’s next? The answer is to make as many friends as you can. Befriend the DJs, party organizers, performers, and frequent party-goers. This will be your ticket to finding out about all the hottest events in the future. You never know who could become a helpful contact–even if it’s just to get on a guest list.
Similarly, it is not in your best interest to google “where to party in Paris” when searching for events. The top location results will most likely be filled with tourists. For a more authentic experience, do some research on social media beforehand or hang out in trendy areas and follow the crowd. One of my favorite parties I attended in Paris was a “follow the crowd” situation. After a long day of Paris Fashion Week-related events, my friends and I were chatting outside, when we saw colorful lights and people walking towards the venue across the street. After following their lead, we entered one of the most bustling parties I had ever attended and proceeded to dance until the sun came up.
My final tip is this: have fun! Paris is the City of Love, and I love to party. Lucky for you, you’ve just become a bit of an expert on the topic. So, make new friends, stay safe, and have the time of your life. Au revoir, mes amis!
Words by Fay Marks
Graphic by Evan Skovronsky