Paris isn’t just about croissants and candlelit dinners. When the sun goes down, the city wakes up in a whole new way-and karaoke is one of its most unexpected secrets. Forget the stuffy opera houses. The real Parisian nightlife happens in dimly lit rooms where strangers become friends, voices crack on high notes, and everyone sings like they’re on stage at the Olympia. If you’re looking for the best karaoke bars in Paris, you don’t need to search far. Just follow the laughter, the off-key choruses, and the clinking of beer glasses.
Le Petit Bain: Karaoke by the Seine
Le Petit Bain isn’t your typical bar. It’s a floating venue docked along the Seine, right next to the Bir-Hakeim Bridge. By day, it’s a quiet café. By night, it transforms into one of Paris’s most lively karaoke spots. The vibe is casual, almost bohemian. People arrive in jeans and jackets, grab a glass of wine, and climb up to the second-floor stage. The playlist is international-French pop, 80s rock, K-pop, and American classics all get equal time. You won’t find a fancy sound system here, but you don’t need one. The crowd carries the energy. Locals know to show up after 9 p.m. when the real singing starts. On weekends, it’s standing room only. The staff doesn’t force you to sing. They just hand you a mic when you nod. And once you do, everyone cheers.
La Chope des Puces: Old-School Charm with a Modern Twist
Nestled in the 18th arrondissement near the famous Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, La Chope des Puces feels like stepping into a 1970s Parisian bistro. Wooden booths, checkered tablecloths, and walls covered in vintage posters. But here’s the catch: they’ve got a fully automated karaoke system with over 10,000 songs. You pick your track on a tablet, the screen lights up with lyrics, and the band-yes, a real live band-plays along. No robotic backing tracks. Real drums, real guitar, real bass. It’s the only place in Paris where you can belt out Bohemian Rhapsody with a full rock ensemble behind you. The crowd is a mix of expats, students, and older locals who still remember when Edith Piaf ruled the streets. Don’t expect fancy cocktails. Do expect cheap wine, loud singalongs, and a sense of community that feels rare in a city this big.
Le Comptoir Général: Karaoke in a Jungle-Themed Hideout
If you’ve ever dreamed of singing under a canopy of fake vines while a parrot squawks in the background, Le Comptoir Général is your spot. This place isn’t just a bar-it’s an experience. Located in the 10th arrondissement, it’s part museum, part cocktail lounge, part karaoke den. The karaoke room is tucked away in a back corner, behind a curtain of hanging plants. The system is high-end, with HD screens and noise-canceling walls so you don’t disturb the rest of the space. The playlist leans heavily toward French classics-Johnny Hallyday, Françoise Hardy, and Charles Aznavour-but they’ve got Taylor Swift and Drake too. What makes this place special is the crowd. It’s not about being good. It’s about being bold. People come here to let go. A 65-year-old grandmother once sang Don’t Stop Believin’ with a full dance routine. No one blinked. The bartenders hand out free shots to anyone who finishes a song without stopping. It’s not competitive. It’s celebratory.
Bar des Artistes: The Hidden Gem in Montmartre
Tucked into a narrow alley off Rue Lepic, Bar des Artistes is easy to miss. No sign. Just a red door and a faint hum of music. Inside, it’s small-barely 30 seats. But every Friday and Saturday night, it becomes the most authentic karaoke spot in Paris. The owner, a retired jazz musician, runs the system himself. He doesn’t use a tablet. He uses a dusty CD player and a binder of handwritten song titles. Want to sing La Vie en Rose? He’ll pull the disc out of a box labeled “1998.” Want to do a duet of Something Stupid? He’ll grab a second mic and sing along with you. The crowd is local. No tourists. Just neighbors, artists, and musicians who’ve been coming here for 20 years. The drinks are cheap. The vibe is intimate. And if you’re nervous, don’t worry. The first song is always free. The second? You buy the next round.
Le Baron: Where Karaoke Meets Glamour
Le Baron isn’t a karaoke bar. It’s a club. But every Thursday night, it turns into Paris’s most stylish karaoke night. The crowd is chic-designers, models, influencers, and actors. The lighting is moody. The music is curated. The karaoke system? Professional-grade, with auto-tune options and real-time vocal effects. You can sing like Beyoncé, if you want. The staff even has a list of “star requests”-songs people come back for. Uptown Funk is always popular. So is Je ne regrette rien. The bar serves cocktails named after French icons: the Piaf, the Bardot, the Gainsbourg. You won’t find a karaoke machine anywhere else in Paris that lets you choose between “raw” and “studio” modes. It’s not about the noise. It’s about the performance. Dress up. Bring your friends. And don’t be surprised if someone films you and posts it on Instagram by midnight.
What Makes a Great Karaoke Bar in Paris?
Not every bar with a mic counts. The best ones in Paris share a few things. First, they don’t judge. You don’t need to be good. You just need to show up. Second, the song list is diverse. If you can’t find a French song, an English hit, or a J-pop anthem, you’re at the wrong place. Third, the staff doesn’t treat karaoke like an afterthought. They make it part of the experience. And fourth, the drinks are affordable. A glass of house wine shouldn’t cost €15. At the top spots, it’s €7. That’s the Parisian rule.
Also, timing matters. Karaoke nights are rarely on Mondays. Most places start after 9 p.m. and peak between 11 and 1 a.m. Weekends are packed. If you want to sing without waiting, go early. Or come on a weekday. Some places, like Le Comptoir Général, have karaoke on Wednesdays too. And don’t be shy to ask. Most bartenders will let you jump in if there’s a break.
What to Expect When You Sing in Paris
You won’t get a standing ovation. But you will get claps. You won’t be handed a trophy. But you might get a free shot. Parisians don’t cheer like Americans. They don’t scream. They laugh. They nod. They lean in. And when you finish? They’ll say, “Encore?”-not because they want more, but because they’re inviting you to stay. That’s the difference. In Paris, karaoke isn’t a performance. It’s a connection.
Pro Tips for First-Timers
- Bring a friend. Singing alone is scary. Singing with someone makes it fun.
- Know your songs. Pick two or three you know by heart. Don’t wing it.
- Don’t over-order drinks. You’ll regret it when you’re off-key and tipsy.
- Try a French song-even if you don’t speak it. People love when you try.
- Arrive before 10 p.m. on weekends. Lines form fast.
Where to Go If You’re Not a Singer
You don’t have to sing to enjoy karaoke in Paris. Some of the best nights are when you’re just watching. La Chope des Puces has a regular who sings My Way every Friday. He’s 72. He doesn’t miss a note. People come just for him. Le Petit Bain has a duo that sings 90s Britpop in perfect harmony. They’ve been doing it for five years. You don’t need to be on stage to feel the magic.
Are karaoke bars in Paris expensive?
No, not at the best ones. Most places charge no cover fee for karaoke nights. Drinks are reasonably priced-around €6 to €8 for a beer or glass of wine. Some bars, like Bar des Artistes, don’t even have a drink minimum. You pay for what you order. Avoid tourist traps near the Eiffel Tower-they often charge €20 just to use the mic.
Do I need to book a karaoke room in advance?
Not usually. Most karaoke bars in Paris operate on a first-come, first-served basis. You sign up at the bar when you arrive. But on weekends, especially at Le Comptoir Général or Le Baron, it helps to show up early. Some places take names for a waiting list. If you’re in a group of four or more, ask if they can hold a spot.
Is there English-language karaoke in Paris?
Yes, absolutely. Most bars have at least 40% of their songs in English. You’ll find everything from Adele to Nirvana to Drake. Some places even let you upload your own playlist via Bluetooth. Le Petit Bain and Le Baron have the largest English selections. But don’t skip the French songs. Singing Ne me quitte pas might be the most Parisian thing you do all night.
What’s the best night to go for karaoke in Paris?
Friday and Saturday nights are the liveliest. But if you want a more relaxed vibe, go on Wednesday or Thursday. Le Comptoir Général and La Chope des Puces both have karaoke on Wednesdays. Le Baron is only Thursday. Bar des Artistes is Friday and Saturday. Sunday nights are quiet-most places are closed or have live music instead.
Can I bring my own songs to sing?
Some places allow it. Le Baron and Le Comptoir Général let you connect your phone via Bluetooth to play custom tracks. Others, like La Chope des Puces, stick to their library. Always ask the bartender before you try. Don’t assume. And never bring a song that’s not in their system unless you’re sure they’ll play it.
Final Thoughts
Paris doesn’t need karaoke to be cool. But it’s the karaoke bars that make it feel alive. They’re not about perfection. They’re about presence. The city’s best nights aren’t spent in Michelin-starred restaurants or rooftop lounges. They’re spent in rooms where someone’s singing off-key, someone else is laughing, and the whole place is singing along. That’s the real Paris. And it’s waiting for you.
