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| RendezvousFrance.com | |
| Paris Befores
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| A new Franco-English word has been introduced in the French vocabulary: "Before", as in: "un before" (a before). This strange word designates new oasis in the Parisian nights, places which are bars/restaurants/nightclubs. Between 9pm and midnight, this is where Parisians now meet. For instance, you go to the Alcazar restaurant on Wednesday evening and while eating some light food, the best DJ's play their music. You can talk, flirt, dance if you want. It is a very sensual and casual atmosphere. Befores have become a real phenomenon. "You go to a B4 to talk, to meet your new girlfriend or simply to warm up before the rest of the night," explains Sophie Berbar-Sollier, a reporter who covers that scene for the daily Libération. "A regular schedule, a very affordable menu (19 Euros), soft lights, great DJ's and a good word of mouth," that is the recipe of the tremendous success of the Alcazar, according to Fabrice Lamy, who orchestrates the Wednesday evenings at the elegant Conrant restaurant. |
| The best "Befores" of the city: |
| Atelier-Renault. 53, Champs Elysees. 75008. 01 49 53 70 00. Mo. Franklin-Roosevelt Every Thursday after 9pm, this new place owned by the automaker, starts to swing with music chosen by Nova records, a hip, avant garde label. |
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Barbara Bui Café. 27, rue Etienne Marcel. 75001. 01 45 08 04 04. Mo Etienne-Marcel Third Thu. of each month, 9pm. |
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Buddha
Bar. |
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Café
du Trésor Legend has it that this is
where "Befores" were invented. The café is full every
night after 9:30pm. |
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De
la Ville Café. The place
is beautiful with its high ceilings and its "moulures". In a
former life, they say it was a bordello. Thursdays are hot with a DJ called
Dimitri Plays. Daily 11pm-2am |
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La
Fabrique. After 10:30pm,
every day, the place starts to swing. The crowd is very casual, unlike
the Alcazar or the Buddha Bar which are more elegant places.
The bar/restaurant is a good place to have an appetizer and a beer. It
is wise to reserve. At the bar, you can order one the house's specialités,
the flammekuche (10 Euros with a beer), an Alsacian dish. |
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Folies. 8, rue de Belleville. 75020. 01 46 36 65 98. Mo Belleville Fri or Sat (call before) |
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Mezzanine
of the Alcazar. The
bar of the Alcazar, on the first level, has become the number one
stop of the hip Paris crowd. You can have a drink (8-12 euros) or a drink
and something to eat (18 Euro formula like the shrimp with orange). It
starts at 9pm, but the truth is it does not really start before 10pm because
the star DJs are like real stars. They know how to make themselves desired.
Wed through Sat. and Jazz-brunch on Sun. |
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Opa. 9, rue Biscornet. 75011. 01 49 28 97 16. Mo Bastille Before and concerts starting at 8:30pm, Mon-Fri |
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Wax. 15, rue Daval. 75011. 01 40 21 16 16. Mo Bréguet-Sabin Daily after 9pm |
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Music compiled by DJ's from the Before have become another phenomenon. They sell by hundreds of thousands. The best ones: |
| Buddah Bar I and II, compiled by the master of the French DJ's, Claude Challe. |
| Nirvana Lounge, also by Claude Challe. |
| Hôtel Costes I and II, compiled by Stephane Poupougnac (from Yves Montand to Shirley Bassey and Pink Martini) |
| Barrio Latino, compiled by Fabrice Lamy |
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