18th arrondissement

La Boule Noire
120 Boulevard Rochechouart
+33 1 49 25 81 75‎
Métro: Pigaille

A small venue which is decorated to resemble a 20s speakeasy but which none-the-less has hosted a range of musicians from local singers to major arena acts.

Just BE
46 rue Caulaincourt
+33 1 42 55 92 42
Métro: Abesses

A trendy little bistro with a nice enclosed terrace, the Just BE named for owners Brigette and Elsa is a nice place to settle in for a couple of hours to watch people pass by on the lovely tree-lined rue Caulaincourt.

Olympic Café
20 rue Léon
+33 1 42 52 42 63
Métro: Chateau Rouge

Run as part of the Laboratoire Multi-culturel populaire the Olympic Café is one of the few places in Paris where you can reliably find avant-garde jazz, making it at least spiritually a descendant of the club where the Art Ensemble of Chicago were resident for 5 years or so in the early '70s. In addition to jazz they book music from around the world especially Africa and the Caribbean.

Truc Café
58, rue de Poteau
101 42 52 64 09

A classic French wine bistro filled with young trendy singles.

Le Divan du Monde
75 rue des Martyrs
+33 1 42 52 02 46
Métro: Pigalle

A fairly major venue for indi-rock, hip-hop, and other concerts. The prices are usually pretty good and the size of the venue and decor are great.