Whether it’s to simply have a quiet drink and watch the sunset or to have a full-fledged night out, you can’t go wrong with rooftop bars. They are often strategically located and feature incredible views that you can’t get anywhere else, and this is certainly true in Paris. Although some tend to close during the winter months each year, the rooftop bar scene in Paris is perfect for music lovers, with everything from smooth jazz covers to pumping DJ sets on offer.
Before you can head to one of Paris’ many rooftop bars, you need to think about traveling to the city itself. You have many options, in large part due to the fact that Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, attracting tens of millions of tourists every year. People flock from all over the world to see its huge number of iconic and historically important landmarks, as well as world-class museums, and thriving culinary and nightlife scenes.
Paris is very well connected by both train and plane, with Charles de Gaulle Airport being one of the busiest in the world. This means that it’s not just the perfect destination for longer trips, but also short city breaks. Travel booking companies enhance the experience even further, by allowing you to quickly identify the best deals.
If you're looking for city breaks with Opodo, you'll be able to easily find not just the best cheap flight deals, but cheap flight and hotel packages. Whether you want to embrace the shining lights and charm of Paris, or simply wander around the streets of Montmartre, you can be confident that the logistics of getting there are easy and affordable.
Perched up on the 32nd floor of the Pullman Paris Montparnasse is the Skybar Paris, a rooftop bar where music lovers can indulge in an eclectic mix of tunes while sipping on expertly crafted cocktails. It’s only steps away from the Gaîté - Joséphine Baker train station in the bustling Paris 14 district, making it easy to get to and well worth the effort.
Unlike many other bars that close during the colder months, Skybar keeps the party going all year round. Guests are invited to take in stunning views of famous Paris landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Panthéon, and Tour Montparnasse.
Skybar is the highest open-air rooftop bar in all of Paris, and guests need to adhere to a smart-casual dress code. It’s generally Thursday through Saturday nights when live DJ sets take over, and the bar becomes even livelier than usual.
The next bar on our list is another that’s easy to get to via public transport. Simply make your way to the very well-known Metro Austerlitz, and you’ll be able to find Café Oz, which sits above the Cité de la Mode et du Design building. The interesting thing about Café Oz is that the Oz refers to Australia. Three Australians started the bar in the 1990s, and today, it has Australian-inspired drinks, food, and entertainment. It even has Australian-inspired decor. In typical Australian style, the atmosphere is laid back. It has giant HD screens that regularly show different sports, so it can be a good way to catch a game over a drink after a day of seeing what Paris has to offer. There is a cover charge after 7:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, so make sure to get there early. The bar regularly features DJs from all sorts of backgrounds who provide the perfect atmosphere as you and your friends enjoy a drink and look out over unbeatable views of the Seine River. What more could you ask for?
If you’ve ever backpacked around Europe, you might be familiar with the name Generator. It’s a popular backpacker hostel located in a handful of European cities, and the Paris version is home to Khayma Rooftop. This rooftop bar is another convenient location, located near both Canal Saint-Martin and Buttes-Chaumont Park. When you peer out over the rooftop’s edge and gaze over Montmartre, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Khayma is known for its pulsating atmosphere and has a dynamic rotation of DJs that will appeal to music enthusiasts. Given its connection to the backpacker hostel, it probably comes as no surprise that the prices here are very reasonable. It’s the perfect spot for either winding down after a day of exploring or to kick things off as you gear up for a night out. Khayma is open to everybody, not just guests of Generator. There’s only a casual dress code, too. It has one of the most picturesque backdrops of Paris and is yet another choice that makes sense for either an end-of-day unwind or when the night is just beginning.
The Terrass Hotel is a very well-known and popular hotel in the Montmartre district of Paris. Up on its 7th floor, you’ll find the incredible Terrass Hotel Bar, another of Paris’ rooftop bars that remains open all throughout the year. Being part of a highly-rated hotel is one reason that it's one of the most exclusive rooftop bars in Paris , but it’s not the only reason. The Terrass Hotel Bar offers a complete 360-degree view of France’s capital, with Eiffel Tower, Montparnasse Tower, Les Invalides, and La Défense all in sight. It is said to have an experience and feel similar to that of a New York skyscraper, just with a distinctly Parisian twist. For the music lovers, there’s a bit of everything. Like most rooftop bars mentioned today, live DJ sets are popular, but so too are live performances from bands with soulful melodies. There are even more intimate performances in the form of acoustic sessions from time to time.
Shopping enthusiasts who’ve visited Paris may have found themselves in the Marais district. They may even have found themselves inside the BHV MARAIS department store. What they probably didn’t realize is that sitting above this department store is the Le Perchoir Marais, a rooftop bar loved by both music and nightlife lovers. Le Perchoir is quite a stylish bar, and you’ll get that feel as you step out onto the terrace. The views are panoramic, and both the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower can be seen. Given its location and elegance, it’s a good choice for looking for an evening spent under the stars. The vibe is best described as Parisian, and the evening DJ sets contribute to that strongly. One important thing to note is that it’s very popular among both locals and tourists. If standing in line doesn’t sound like your ideal night out, then you best make sure to get there early.
If you’ve ever been to Bali, you might have fond memories of The Lawn in Canggu, where comfy Balinese-style seats are laid out for guests. Well, Mademoiselle Mouche is home to that same sort of vibe. The only difference is that the Eiffel Tour isn’t clearly visible from Bali. This bar is one of the best summer rooftop destinations, and it’s located at Port de la Conférence. It sits atop Bateaux-Mouches, home of the famous river cruises that head down the Seine. It’s only open between June and October, and it’s designed exactly for that type of summer environment. The cocktail menu is designed by the mixologists at Paris Cocktail Club, and at night in the warmer months, it transforms into an amazing party venue. The music you’ll find here, like most of the venues listed today, are live DJ sets perfect for a party. Given its status as one of the best rooftop bars in Europe and limited opening throughout the year, spots can be limited. Especially if you plan on visiting as part of a large group, it might be worth making a reservation for a private terrace well in advance.
Next up is another rooftop bar that finds itself atop a hotel, this time the Kimpton St Honoré. The Sequoia Rooftop Bar is located in a prime area of Paris, right near the Place Vendôme and the Paris Opéra. If you could describe Sequoia in a word, it would probably be sophisticated. It’s modern and stylish, and there’s plenty of greenery around. Given its prime location, the 360-degree views of central Paris are just a little bit extra special. Keeping with the sophistication theme, you’ll find a long list of both classic and innovative cocktail options, as well as carefully selected wines and champagnes. Sequoia serves gourmet finger food, too, with options that complement any drink of choice. What really sets Sequoia apart from other rooftop bars on the list is the choice of music. While most tend to focus on DJs and dance music, Sequoia is where you’ll find much more variety. Whether it’s the smooth sounds of jazz or more modern favorites, Sequoia finds the right balance of providing ambiance without being overbearing.
Rounding out the list is the illustrious Rooftop Le Molitor. It’s near famous landmarks like Roland Garros and Parc des Princes, making it easy to get to by taking the Metro to Porte d’Auteuil on Line 10. This establishment has a history that goes all the way back to 1929. It has been a summer staple for Parisians for a long time, first starting out as a couple of swimming pools. Today, it’s known for hosting lavish galas and features a very modern atmosphere. Of course, the Eiffel Tower can be spotted here, but from a different perspective than some of the other rooftop bars. During the summer, Rooftop Le Molitor is known for coming to life every Sunday night. DJs and musicians take over, but they don’t just play electronic music. You’ll find extremely diverse genres of music on display, including everything from soul to Latin American reggaeton to pulsating techno. If you’re a true music aficionado, this might be the choice for you. Paris' rooftop bars offer you more than just a drink. They provide an experience that you can’t get anywhere else. There are many cities with thriving rooftop bar scenes, but not many of them can provide stunning views of some of the world’s most recognizable and important buildings. Only the world’s most famous cities, like Paris, can do that.
Browse all the cities & articles at The Rooftop Guide
Follow The Rooftop Guide