Paris isn’t just for romantic dinners (you’ll want to read our Romantic Paris Itinerary for that) and world-famous museums, it’s a city for young adults looking for adventure, great vibes and unforgettable experiences.
The thing is it can be so hard finding exactly where to go, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
From secret underground parties to the coolest street food spots and hangouts, this list is packed with local-approved gems that’ll make your trip (or everyday life, if you’re lucky enough to live here!) next-level amazing.
Let’s explore the coolest things to do in the City of Light.
Paris Nightlife & Live Music: Where Young Adults Party (Without the Tourist Traps)
Looking for things to do in Paris for young adults at night? If you’re a young traveler looking for fun, affordable and social nightlife, skip the overpriced clubs near the Champs-Élysées and head where the locals go.
Here are some of our current top bars, live music and late-night hangs in Paris, perfect for meeting people, catching great tunes and making memories.
Bastille
If you want live music, cheap drinks and a mix of locals and travelers, Bastille is your spot.
- Supersonic: A grungy New York loft-style bar with free rock gigs. Shows usually kick off around 8 or 9pm and the crowd gets wild on weekends. Cheap drinks mean you won’t blow your budget before midnight.
- Rue de Lappe: A whole street packed with live music bars and late-night energy. Wander in and out of spots like Le Balajo (legendary dance hall) or Opulence Luxe Bar.
Tip: Many bars (like Supersonic) do €5 beers/cocktails before 10pm.
Rex Club
If you’re into electronic music, this is the place. Hidden under an old cinema, Rex Club has been a techno institution since the ‘90s. Expect heavy beats, laser lights and a crowd that dances till sunrise. It’s a casual-cool style of club, so no need to dress up! Be sure to check their IG for guest DJ!
Belleville
Belleville is a great area to check out if you want a full day out with street art, cheap eats and dancing.
- Start at Pyrénées Metro: Walk down Rue de Belleville, checking out the street art and buzzing cafés.
- Sunset at Parc de Belleville: One of the best free views of Paris (way less crowded than Montmartre).
- Drink at Culture Rapide: A hipster-friendly bar with cheap beers and a lively terrace.
- Eat at Chez Alex: A cheap, no-frills, cash-only Chinese spot.
- Bar-hop to Zorba and others in the area: All cheap, fun and full of young Parisians.
- End at La Java: A small but wild club with indie, pop and retro nights.
Strasbourg Saint-Denis
If you want to drink where Parisians drink, head to Strasbourg Saint-Denis. It’s grungy, lively and way more authentic than touristy spots. Start at Chez Jeannette (around 10pm), which is a retro bistro with cheap wine and a cool crowd. Strike up a conversation and meet new people, before asking locals where they’re going next. The best spots here change nightly, but Le Carmen (underground club in an old mansion) and Le Syndicat (secret cocktail bar) are solid backups.
Pigalle
Yes, it’s the Red-Light District, but Pigalle is now one of Paris’ trendiest nightlife zones. Some places to check out include:
- Bouillon Pigalle: A cheap, modern bistro (€12 steak frites) before hitting bars.
- Dirty Dick: A tiki-themed cocktail bar with strong drinks and a fun crowd.
- Berliner: This German-style dive bar feels like a retro living room, with squishy armchairs, a vintage photo booth and underground DJs spinning indie/rock. Perfect if you want a chill-but-cool vibe before hitting bigger clubs.
- La Machine du Moulin Rouge: A massive club inside an old cabaret, so expect themed parties and big DJs.
Tip: Organize how you will get home!
The last trains run about 1:15am (Sun-Thu) or 2: 15am (Fri/Sat & holidays)–Then night buses start. Don’t get stuck with a €30 Uber!
Trendy Neighborhoods to Explore in Paris
So, what is the best area for young adults in Paris?
We’ve mentioned this before, but Paris is more than just the Eiffel Tower and Louvre. It’s a city of hidden lanes, street art and neighborhoods buzzing with young energy. If you want to explore like a local, ditch the crowded spots and head to these hip, affordable and Instagram-worthy areas.
These are some very walkable areas, too! Locations are close and walking around allows you to walk into stores full of surprises.
Looking for more places to explore during the day? Read about hidden gems in Paris!
Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)
The coolest neighborhood in Paris, hands down. Think vintage shops, street art, small cafés and a mix of Parisian chic and grunge. For more stuff to do in Paris, hit up Mad Vintage, Free’p’star and Kilo Shop for cheap thrifted fashion, admire the quirky Stravinsky Fountain and grab a falafel from Rue des Rosiers (the best in the city). Take your falafel to go, such as from L'As du Fallafel or Chez Marianne, and eat it in the nearby Place des Vosges. You can also hit up Boulangerie Murciano for a €1.50 pain au chocolat that’s better than most cafés’ €5 versions. By night, this area turns into a bar-hopping paradise, too!
Butte aux Cailles
A hidden gem with Montmartre vibes but not as many tourists. This artsy hill is covered in street murals, has a small-town feel and is packed with cheap wine bars and small boutiques. Perfect for a lazy afternoon or low-key evening with friends.
Montmartre
Yes, it’s well-known, but it’s still magical. Walk through the cobblestone streets, take photos of Sacre Coeur’s epic views and peek into tiny artist studios. Don’t miss Café des Deux Moulins (from Amelie) or the hidden vineyard (yes, Paris has one!).
Rue Crémieux
The most Instagrammable street in Paris, with a row of pastel-colored houses that feel like a mini Notting Hill. Go early to avoid crowds and pair it with a walk along Canal Saint-Martin nearby.
Latin Quarter (5th Arrondissement)
The student heart of Paris, packed with cheap eats, bookstores (Shakespeare & Co!) and old-school cafés. Catch an indie film at Le Champo or have an espresso at Café de Flore.
Also in the 5th arrondissement, the area near Sorbonne has great university vibes, meaning budget-friendly fun! Think €5 kebabs, jazz cellars and squares full of students. Great for daytime exploring or a cheap night out.
Rue Mouffetard is a cobblestone market street in the Latin Quarter that is packed with cheese shops, bakeries and tiny crêperies where you can eat like a king for under €10. Grab a fresh baguette sandwich (€4), a warm Nutella crêpe (€3), or a hunk of Comté cheese (€2) and picnic on a nearby bench.
Popincourt (11th Arrondissement)
Where many young Parisians actually live. It’s all about hidden cocktail bars, street food and underground clubs. Start at Oberkampf for bars, then head to Rue de Charonne for late-night fun.
For more great places to check out in Paris, here are our 5 hidden gems to visit!
Daytime Adventures in Paris
Paris isn’t just museums and croissants (though those are great too). If you’re a young traveler looking for unique, social and budget-friendly ways to spend your days, skip the long Louvre lines and try these local-approved adventures instead.
Rent a Bike & Explore
What to do in Paris for fun? Ditch the metro and cycle like a Parisian! The city has hundreds of bike lanes and cheap rentals (try Vélib’ for €5/day). Ride along the Seine, through Le Marais, or take the Coulée Verte — an elevated park built on an old railway.
Here are our top 5 must-see Parisian attractions to potentially ride to!
Tip: Stop for a picnic with wine (It’s legal in parks).
La Tête Dans Les Nuages
A massive arcade with VR games, bowling and neon-lit photo ops. Perfect for a rainy day or if you just want to unleash your inner kid. Grab friends, compete in air hockey and take some retro-fun photos.
Outdoor Escape Games
Turn the whole city into a puzzle! Companies like Escape Hunt set up real-life mystery games where you solve clues while exploring hidden streets. Great for groups and way more exciting than a basic walking tour.
Pro Tips to Save Money in Paris:
- Get a Paris Museum Pass
- Get a Paris City Pass/Paris Pass
- Check out Free gigs
- Explore Student-Friendly Spots
- Thrift shopping in Le Marais
- Enjoy Picnics by the Seine or in Parks
- Walk around the Non-Touristy Arrondissements
Canal Saint-Martin & Canal de la Villette
Where locals chill in summer! Grab a baguette, cheese and cheap wine, then lounge by the water. By night, the area turns into a low-key party spot with picnics and guitar jam sessions.
Parc de la Villette & Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Skip Luxembourg Gardens (too touristy, although it’s still a great location to check out) and head to these hip green spaces. Buttes-Chaumont has hidden cliffs, a waterfall and epic skyline views, while Villette hosts free open-air cinema in summer.
Food Tours (The Cheap & Tasty Way)
Join a budget food tour (or make your own!) to try falafel in Le Marais, crêpes in Montparnasse, and kebabs in the Latin Quarter. Or hit Marché des Enfants Rouges, Paris’ oldest food market, for global eats under €10.
Other than food tours, be sure to check out our top 3 private nature tours in Paris, too!
Food Courts
Paris has next-level food halls where you can eat, drink and do something fun.
- Ground Control: A hipster area with street food, craft beer and free concerts/pop-up events.
- La Felicita: A massive Italian food hall with pasta, pizza and outdoor seating under fairy lights.
- Boom Boom Villette: Asian street food and mini golf!
Tips for Eating Cheap in Paris
- Picnic like a Parisian: Grab a baguette (€1), cheese (€3) and wine (€5) from any supermarket.
- Lunch specials: Many cafés do €10–12 prix-fixe menus at midday.
- Avoid restaurants near major sights: Walk just 5 minutes away and you’ll get better food for lower prices.
Culture Without the Crowds
Paris is packed with cultural treasures, but who wants to fight through tourist mobs? If you're looking for authentic, crowd-free and (often) free ways to experience the city's creative side, skip the Louvre lines and dive into these local-approved spots instead.
Intimate Theaters & Performance Spaces
- Théâtre de la Bastille: A punk-rock vibe theater with experimental plays, drag shows, and pay-what-you-can nights. The bar stays open late for post-show debates.
- Le Lavoir Moderne Parisien (18th arr.): A former laundromat turned theater with improv nights, slam poetry and indie bands. Tickets are often €10 or less.
- Le Christine Cinema Club (Odéon): A cozy indie theater tucked away in a cobblestone lane, showing cult classics, vintage films and arthouse gems. Think Tarantino nights, 80s throwbacks and French New Wave. Tickets are cheap (around €8), and the vibe is way cooler than mainstream cinemas. Check their schedule for original-language screenings (no dubbing!).
How to See Perfomances Like a Parisian
- Follow their IG for free event alerts.
- Go early to grab the best seats.
- Order the house drink — it’s always cheap & good.
Cultural Third Spaces (Where Art Meets Hangout)
These warehouse-style hubs are where Parisians go to drink, create and chill, all without tourist prices. Free to enter, just pay for your food and drinks.
- La REcyclerie: An eco-friendly café/workspace in a converted train station. Think DIY workshops, live music and urban farming, plus cheap coffee. Check their IG for free events!
- Le Hasard Ludique: A music venue/bar under a railway arch, with concerts, pop-up markets and board game nights.
- La Cité Fertile: A green oasis with outdoor film screenings, food trucks and DJ sets. Perfect for sunny afternoons.
- Le 104 (Centquatre): A massive arts space in the 19th with free exhibitions, dance performances and pop-up markets. Locals come for the skate park, coworking spaces and quirky events (like silent discos). The café here is cheap and there’s always something weird/cool happening.
- Les Ateliers Médicis (Clichy-Montfermeil): A street-art-focused cultural center in the suburbs, with free workshops, concerts and residencies for emerging artists. It’s where Paris’ next-gen creatives experiment.
Tip: Make sure to follow Parisian influencer accounts, whether it be travel or foodie accounts, such as @visitparisregion, @eatscaping and @miam.coco.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for free, cheap, or unusual things to do in Paris for young adults, there’s plenty in this city to keep you interested.
Young adults will truly have a blast exploring the city’s daytime and nighttime fun, so hopefully, we have given you a range of unique things to do in Paris for young adults that you can add to your itinerary.
If you’re looking for something more, you can also explore the city with a private tour guide. GoWithGuide tour guides can actually work with you to create an itinerary that revolves around your specific interests, helping you make the most out of your trip to Paris. After reading through whether a Paris tour guide is right for you, have a browse through our tour guides to see if one would vibe with you, then get chatting to create your dream Paris trip!
