Paris isn’t just about croissants and candlelit dinners. When the sun goes down, the city wakes up with a roar - and one of the loudest, most fun ways to experience it is through karaoke. Forget the quiet wine bars and overpriced cocktails. If you want to belt out Beyoncé, sing along to Daft Punk, or scream your heart out to Edith Piaf with strangers who instantly become your best friends, Paris has karaoke bars that deliver real energy, real laughs, and real memories.
Le Comptoir Général
Le Comptoir Général doesn’t look like a karaoke bar. It’s tucked away in the 10th arrondissement, inside a converted warehouse filled with African artifacts, vintage lamps, and hanging plants. But once you find the hidden door marked "Karaoké," you step into a different world. The soundproof room is dim, the microphones are wired for live effects, and the playlist runs from 1980s French pop to modern K-pop. Regulars here don’t just sing - they perform. One night, a group of Japanese tourists sang "La Vie en Rose" in perfect French, complete with dramatic hand gestures. The crowd went wild. The drinks are cheap, the vibe is chaotic, and the staff never judges. You don’t need to be good. You just need to show up.
Barbès
Barbès, in the 18th arrondissement, is where locals go when they want to let loose without tourists watching. The karaoke room here is small, no frills, and always packed. The playlist is all French - think Johnny Hallyday, Zaz, and Stromae - but they’ll play anything if you ask nicely. The bar owner, Marc, keeps a notebook of regulars’ favorite songs. He’ll even cue up a rare 1970s French disco track if you mention you’re from Marseille. The walls are covered in graffiti-style lyrics, and the sound system is surprisingly crisp for a place that doesn’t advertise itself as a karaoke spot. This isn’t a stage. It’s a living room where everyone sings along, even if they’re just holding a beer and nodding.
La Chope des Halles
La Chope des Halles is one of the oldest and most iconic karaoke spots in central Paris. Open since 1979, it’s located right under the old Les Halles market. The decor feels like a 1980s Parisian pub - red velvet booths, neon signs, and a giant screen that scrolls through hundreds of songs. What sets it apart is the professionalism. The sound engineer adjusts your mic in real time, and there’s even a leaderboard that tracks who sang the best each night. Regulars compete for the "Chanteur du Mois" title. Tourists often walk in thinking it’s just a restaurant. They leave five hours later, hoarse and smiling, having sung "My Way" with a full band backup. The food is solid bistro fare, and the beer is served in massive mugs. It’s the kind of place where you might start alone and end up on stage with three strangers.
Le Petit Bain
Le Petit Bain is not your typical bar. It’s a floating venue on the Seine, docked near the Gare d’Austerlitz. On Friday and Saturday nights, it turns into a karaoke boat party. You board a converted barge, grab a glass of wine, and sing under string lights with the city skyline behind you. The playlist leans toward indie rock, French electronic, and 2000s pop. It’s the only place in Paris where you can sing "Boum Boum Boum" while floating past Notre-Dame. The crowd is young, artsy, and unafraid to be silly. One night, a group of German students sang "Je T’aime... Moi Non Plus" in perfect French, complete with choreography. The boat’s owner, Claire, lets you request songs via QR code - and if your song gets enough votes, it plays next. The vibe is intimate, romantic, and weirdly magical.
Le Bar à Chansons
If you want to sing French chansons - the kind with poetic lyrics and emotional depth - this is your spot. Le Bar à Chansons, tucked into the Latin Quarter, is a cozy, candlelit room where people come to honor the tradition of French songwriting. You won’t find Britney Spears here. Instead, you’ll hear Jacques Brel, Françoise Hardy, and Serge Gainsbourg. The host, a retired literature professor, introduces each song with a short story about the artist. He’ll tell you how Brel wrote "La Valse à Mille Temps" after his father died. People don’t just sing here - they listen. And when you finally take the mic, the silence before you start is thick with respect. It’s not loud. It’s not wild. But it’s the most meaningful karaoke experience in the city.
Why Paris Karaoke Is Different
Most cities treat karaoke like a party trick. In Paris, it’s part of the culture. French people grow up singing in cafés, at family gatherings, at protests. Music isn’t just entertainment - it’s expression. That’s why Parisian karaoke bars don’t feel like gimmicks. They feel like extensions of the city’s soul. You’ll find engineers from La Défense belting out Edith Piaf after work. Students from the Sorbonne singing rap in broken French. Retirees who know every lyric to Charles Aznavour. There’s no pressure to be perfect. There’s only space to be human.
What to Expect
- Timing: Most places don’t start karaoke until 9 PM. Peak hours are 10 PM to 1 AM.
- Cost: Most places charge €5-€10 per person for unlimited singing. Some include a free drink.
- Language: You can sing in English, French, or even Spanish. But if you sing in French, you’ll get more cheers.
- Reservations: For Le Comptoir Général and Le Petit Bain, book ahead. Others are first-come, first-served.
- What to wear: No dress code. Jeans and a T-shirt are fine. But if you want to stand out, bring a sparkly jacket.
Pro Tips
- Ask for the "hidden list" - some bars have songs not on the main screen, like obscure French rock or 90s Eurovision entries.
- Go with a group. Solo singers are rare. The magic happens when the whole table joins in.
- Don’t skip the drink specials. Many bars have themed cocktails named after famous singers - try the "Zaz Mule" at Barbès.
- Watch the crowd before you sing. If everyone’s quiet, it’s a chanson night. If they’re dancing, it’s pop or disco.
Where to Go Next
After karaoke, head to a nearby jazz club like Caveau de la Huchette or Le Duc des Lombards. Or just walk along the Seine, still humming your song, watching the lights reflect on the water. Paris doesn’t sleep - it sings.
Are karaoke bars in Paris expensive?
No, most karaoke bars in Paris charge between €5 and €10 per person for unlimited singing. Many include a free drink, like a glass of wine or beer. Some, like Le Comptoir Général, have a flat rate of €8 that covers drinks and singing until closing. It’s cheaper than most cocktail bars in the city.
Do I need to speak French to enjoy karaoke in Paris?
Not at all. Most places have English songs on their list, and the staff are used to international visitors. But if you sing in French, even badly, you’ll get a bigger reaction. Locals appreciate the effort. Some bars even have bilingual songbooks to help you pronounce lyrics correctly.
Can I bring my own songs to a karaoke bar in Paris?
Yes, but only if you ask ahead. Most bars use digital systems with pre-loaded playlists. However, places like Le Petit Bain and Le Comptoir Général let you submit song requests via QR code or app. If your song gets enough votes from other guests, it’ll play during the night. Don’t expect them to play obscure YouTube tracks - stick to popular releases.
What’s the best night to go for karaoke in Paris?
Friday and Saturday nights are the liveliest. That’s when the crowds are biggest and the energy is highest. Some bars, like Le Bar à Chansons, have quieter nights on Wednesday for acoustic sessions. If you want to sing without waiting, go on a Thursday. The crowd is smaller, the vibe is more relaxed, and you’re more likely to get your favorite song.
Are there karaoke bars in Paris that cater to families?
Most karaoke bars in Paris are 18+ or 21+ due to alcohol service and late hours. But Le Comptoir Général allows kids until 9 PM on weekends, and some venues like La Chope des Halles have family-friendly daytime karaoke events on Sundays. Check ahead - it’s rare, but possible.
