New Years Eve for 20 somethings in Paris for first time?

Bocas Del Toro
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New Years Eve for 20 somethings in Paris for first time?
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Me and my girlfriend will be in Paris for the first time over the New Years holiday. I thought I could get together a game-plan by scouring the forums and web for reviews and recommendations but instead I have been overwhelmed.

I found numerous websites that have tickets for sale to restaurants and night clubs but since I have never been to Paris and know no one there I feel like I am just blindly picking if I make a reservation at one of the numerous places listed. Also some of these sites have so many options its hard for me to even research into all of them.

We would love to go out to dinner somewhere nice and hopefully party the night away at a fun Paris nightclub or party? I assume we need reservations for both dinner and dancing afterward or we will be left in the street. Can anyone recommend a restaurant, nightclub or a few options that might be worthwhile to book before we arrive? Any guidance or help would be great since the last thing we want on New Years is to be scrambling around from place to place and not being able to get in.

thanks

CC

Edited: 10 years ago
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1. Re: New Years Eve for 20 somethings in Paris for first time?
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We will be on Paris as well so we will keep an eye on this post. We have found a few clubs that look good and probably will keep dinner casual somewhere simple as all the restaurants look like a process and expensive.

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2. Re: New Years Eve for 20 somethings in Paris for first time?
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If you want to have a NYE meal in a restaurant you will definitely need reservation. The restaurant we ate NYE dinner at had many people asking if they could get a table; there wasn't any left except for one really. The only one table available was the reservations desk that the owner decided to use as a substitute unbelievably. Strangely enough a very desperate couple actually took it. Casual dining places like brasseries and cafes don't require reservations however. Not sure about night club venues though.

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3. Re: New Years Eve for 20 somethings in Paris for first time?
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Thanks, probably do the cafe thing and then spend the night at a club

Bocas Del Toro
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4. Re: New Years Eve for 20 somethings in Paris for first time?
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Any specific recommendations on both restaurants and clubs?

As I said in the original post the selection is just so vast I have no idea which way to go when making a reservation or buying pre-sale tickets in a city I have never been

thanks to all who give me some advice

CC

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5. Re: New Years Eve for 20 somethings in Paris for first time?
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I did not give you the name of the restaurant we ate NYE dinner at because it's not to everyone's liking, but it's Le Tastevin on the Ile St. Louis if you want to check their site below. We were very pleased so much that we have returned on subsequent visits to Paris. Their NYE meal is going to be much higher than what they show on their website. You can email the owner for information. She is quite nice and responds quickly. There are reviews posted here under "Restaurants".

http://www.letastevin-paris.com/Page2.html

Edited: 10 years ago
Philadelphia
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6. Re: New Years Eve for 20 somethings in Paris for first time?
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We'll be in Paris for NYE too? Would love the same info on restaurants and nightclubs. We're staying in a hotel near the Statue of Liberty on the Seine right down the street from the Eiffel Tower. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Paris
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7. Re: New Years Eve for 20 somethings in Paris for first time?
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In general, I am not crazy about réveillons (or Saint-Sylvestre, this is how NYE is referred to in French) in public places, this is why my friends and I always gather at some apartment and party “privately” (actually, my best réveillon memory was at… Bocas del Toro, in 2001. What a night! ). So I did a little research, and, good surprise, I realized that it wasn’t as expensive as it used to be. The crisis has got its perks, after all. 2010 réveillons usually offer a formula dinner (not ordinary dinner, réveillon one, with champagne, etc. ) + club night between 70 and 100 € a person. So, here is what I have selected, based on the reputation of these places throughout the year. I have privileged smaller scale bars, because, getting 2,000 people on a club during réveillon, mmmhh… could get a bit out of hand, and it might attract too much of a B&T crowd. Sorry, all the sites are in French, but, hell, you’ll have to get used to the fact that it’s the language in Paris.

The most Left Bank: The WAGG is the former Whisky à Gogo, a mythical club in the Saint Germain des Prés of the 50s, that then went into “ringard” (uncool) mode, and has now been revived, redone and re-hyped

http://www.wagg.fr/

The most Bastille. Le Sanz Sans is one of the big names of the Bastille scene. Very professional, good DJ line up, a tad mainstream maybe.

http://www.sanzsans.com/

http://www.sanzsans.com/SanzSans-Reveillon2010.pdf

The jazziest. Le New Morning is one of the best jazz clubs in Paris in a street lined with them (les Halles). The web site is a bit austere, but it’s good, serious jazz for grown ups. And they throw a special party for Réveillon, of course.

http://www.newmorning.com/fr/

The most Paris-Ouest. There are a series of clubs around the Champs-Elysées that cater to a very Western Suburbs / Jean Sarkozy crowd. Not really my cup of tea, but the 1515 has a tendency to take itself less seriously. No rowdiness here, that’s for sure (even though, outside, on the pedestrianised Champs Elysées with 1m drunken revelers, beware! )

http://1515.soiree31decembre.fr

Bataclan : http://ultra.soiree31decembre.fr

http://www.lamachinedumoulinrouge.com/index.php/cabaret-new-year#more-3003

The most « Soul ». This very attractive and warm little club by the Canal Saint-Martin specializes in soul and funk music, with a latin touch. Good opportunity to visit this atmospheric neighborhood

www.bizzartclub.com

http://www.bizzartclub.com/index.php?view=details&id=687%3Al-ding-dong-r-le-gros-reveillon-soul-funky-disco-du-bizzart-&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=56

The classiest : Le Palace was Paris’s answer to NYC’s Club 54 in the late 70s and 80s. It’s a mythical, beautiful club that has been shut down, now re-opened in its “Privilège” version, the luxury 1920s downstairs restaurant where the likes of Maurice Chevalier and Mistinguett used to party like crazy and take plenty of then legal substances. The Privilège réveillon is pricier than others, but, at 100€ a pop, it should be worth it.

http://www.parisbouge.com/event/60073/

And, finally, to contradict what I have just said re big venues, two réveillons gathering several hundreds, if not thousands of people, but with experienced teams and nice venues. La Machine du Moulin Rouge (ex Loco) is, at the name suggests, the former machinery hall for the Moulin Rouge. Quite impressive. The web site says they expect 4,000 clubbers for NYE. A bit scary, but if you feel up to it: http://www.lamachinedumoulinrouge.com/index.php/cabaret-new-year#more-3003

Le Bataclan is located in party central bd Voltaire, a classic venue for concerts and electro nights. Their réveillon is hosted by a very professional company, and the catering is supposed to be superior, so it could be interesting: http://ultra.soiree31decembre.fr

Otherwise, should I remind you that taxis are impossible to get on NYE in Paris? Thank God, granny RATP is thinking of party goes and, apart from the usual 2 am week-end extension, keeps its main lines open during Réveillon night (there are leaflets and maps in all metro stations explaining it all). But anyway, you’ll still be partying when its 5h30am normal service resumes, won’t you?

Denver, Colorado
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8. Re: New Years Eve for 20 somethings in Paris for first time?
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Alot depends on which area you will be staying. Metro will be supercrowded (way worse than rush hour, you will be breathing into someone's neck) and won't run as regularly as normal. Plus there will be tons of people out and about, so it's a great atmosphere to walk through the city to your hotel.

Also important is your budget. The more famous nightclubs will have a huge cover charge - and then the drinks are expensive as well. Would you want something more low key?

I would actually pre-party at home with champagne and snacks, then go to a nightclub or a bar....That way you won't be you won't have eaten a heavy meal that will make you feel sleepy, and you will have saved some money (to spend on the drinks later ;)...

Paris
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9. Re: New Years Eve for 20 somethings in Paris for first time?
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The pre-party with champagne and foie gras is not a bad idea. It's kind of "romantic", to use a very popular word on this forum, at least more of an only-the-two-of-us moment because, yes, expect BIG crowds. Rather splurge on your own little catering than in an overpriced restaurant.

Bocas Del Toro
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10. Re: New Years Eve for 20 somethings in Paris for first time?
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RendezVousParis- Thank you for the best post I have seen online yet about new years in Paris. That is great you loved Bocas Del Toro. I actually have a few small hotels here so if you head back this way look me up.

I am thinking of trying to make reservations for privilege. For 100 euros that's the best price I have seen for dinner and clubbing for new years. I do not see how to make reservations so maybe I will try and call and hope they speak English.

Other places I have looked into like the Budda Bar were a lot more expensive at 250+euros and seemed to get bad reviews online saying htey were overpriced with sub par food and service.

The wagg.fr also looked interesting if we can not get a reservation at the other.

Do you think it would be too difficult with the transportation issues to eat somewhere earlier then go to a club elsewhere? Is it a better idea to eat and party in the same location?

Also why do you not like the large events with lots of people? Personal preference? Or are there security issues or crime issues?

Thanks

CC

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