11th arrondissement

Les marcheurs de planete

This French wine bar has good prices, a desirable atmosphere, and a friendly staff.

Entre Potes

A good place to relax "amongst friends" as entre potes suggesta, thus making it a fairly representative Parisian bar with notable cocktails.

Café du Passage

Sip and swirl some full-bodied wines at this casual bistro that offers wine tastings every Saturday.

Ba-ta-clan

Not long ago this place occupied the pinnacle of hipness, at which the Nouveau Casino now finds itself. It's been through a management change though and doesn't have quite the booking power it once did. Still, you should stop by, especially in the afternoon because the café downstairs is outstanding, perhaps even better than in the old days.

Grenier

An excellent but tiny dive bar with live bands in the upstairs hall some nights but usually downstairs in the front window. This is a great place to hear Django Reinhartd-style jazz guitar playing Jazz Manouche.

Chez Justine

Close to the center of the Oberkampf nightlife zone, "Justine's place" functions as a restaurant with trendy versions of French offerings, with mixed reviews, during the early evening, but it's 22:00 to 2:00, which really makes the place. Most of the room is filled with big wood-plank tables which are just the thing for for a lively conversation with friends, while the bar is comfy too and attracts a large crowd by late evening. The décor is classic, understated, and classy.

Nouveau Casino et Café Charbon

Right across the street from Justine's, the New Casino keeps rocking until dawn, both in the bar downstairs and the medium-size dance hall upstairs, making it very special among young Parisians, especially after the other places in the neighborhood have closed. The dance/concert hall features cutting-edge indi rock groups and cutting-edge electronica. The prices do reflect the hipness however.

Mecano Bar