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?