Happy hours galore

The Marais, French for “swamp,” is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris, located primarily between the St-Paul and Hotel de Ville Métro stations. Studded with free cultural attractions (Musée Carnavalet, Pavillon d’Arsenal, Victor Hugo House, etc.) it is also the historic Jewish, gay, and more recently Chinese neighborhood.

A walk down rue du Temple, rue des Archives, or rue du Vieille du Temple will take you into the heart of the gay district. The three streets run parallel and streets perpendicular to them are filled with endless watering holes, cafés, and nightspots catering to a largely male clientele.

A night on the town can easily start at the Open Café on rue des Archives. Happy hour pints of beer are a great way to get things going (€3.70, 6-10PM). (17 Rue des Archives, 75004)

After Open’s happy hour ends, hop around a bit, maybe to Banana Café. The Josephine-Baker inspired bar on the edge of the Marais, in the adjacent Châtelet neighborhood, serves up happy hour until 11 p.m. (€3 pints, 6-11 p.m.). If you’re in the bar before 11 p.m., you’ll be able to skip the cover to go dancing downstairs where the party continues. (13 Rue de la Ferronnerie, 75001)

If you’re not ready to dance, head back into the heart of the Marais where happy hour starts up again at Le Feeling, with €3 brews available until midnight (€3 pints, happy hour 7-9 p.m., then 11 p.m.-12 a.m.). Beware of – or marvel at – the Turkish toilet. (43 rue Sainte-Croix la Bretonnerie, 75004)

Dancing and Mingling

If you’ve had enough to drink and want to experience more gay nightlife, the streets branching off rue des Archives are your best bet for mingling and dancing.

FreeDJ, located between Open Café and Le Feeling, has no cover and two floors of dancing. Upstairs most people are simply waiting for the coat check while downstairs the cave bar plays all of the Lady Gaga and Rhianna that you could want. These are tiny Medieval Parisian buildings, so be prepared to get cozy on the dance floor. (35 rue Ste-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004)

Across the rue des Archives from the Open, Spyce, one of the newest additions to the Marais, offers €2 half-pints if you’re in by happy hour (€2 half pints, 6-10 p.m.). If not, it still has all the people watching you’ll need. (23 rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004)

Across the street, terraces fill up (even on colder nights) at the aptly named Cox on rue des Archives with a mixed set. (15 Rue des Archives, 75004)

A younger set can be found at Raidd Bar on rue du Temple, featuring a live shower performance by some of the healthier-looking locals. All three of these choices are free to enter, however, trying to enter these dance bars with large groups of girls can be a problem, and bouncers might refuse the ladies. You’ve been warned. (23 Rue du Temple, 75004)

To finish the night, Duplex is a laidback hangout to mix with locals over a beer or two (only €2.80 for a half pint). (25 rue Michel-Comte, 75003)

Dancing and mingling can also continue until the wee hours of the morning downstairs at nearby Cud, though drinks tend to be pricier. (12 rue des Haudriettes, 75003)

By 5 a.m. you’ll be wondering why anyone ever told you to go to Queen on the Champs-Elysées…

Your favorite gay bars in Paris?

Do you have a favorite bar to add to our list? Have any comments about the bars mentioned? Share with us in our comments section.

Also in our guide: If you’re heading to Paris soon and are looking for affordable accommodation, check out our hotel reviews posted in our Paris guide, with many listings in the Marais. Read more in our Paris hotel guide.

The post Paris: A Cheapo guide to Paris’ gay bars (for the boys) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Mayor Wowereit, affectionately called “Wowi,” also popularized the phrase “poor but sexy” to describe this bankrupt city. So no wonder Berlin is a Cheapo heaven—even the high glam of gay clubs won’t set you back too much.

Here are a few resources you need for a gay ol’ time in the world’s queer capital on the cheap.

1. Siegessäule

The free monthly queer mag is your one-stop resource for all things gay. You won’t need much German to read the calendar section at the back: S&M, after all, is “S&M” in German, too. You’ll see dozens of events and parties listed every day.

2. SchwuZ
Mehringdamm 61
(030) 6290880

Berlin’s gay scene is largely dominated by small bars. Very few clubs match SchwuZ’s longevity and diversity. Check the calendar before you go–or you might be surprised to find a gay goth night, a ladies-only gathering, or even a foam party (Yes, we’re still reliving the ’90s here. Stop judging us).

Extra cheapo tip: No one wants to be seen there too early, but the cover’s cheaper before midnight. Here’s how locals do it: Pay first, get your hand stamped, then take a seat in the popular ground floor bar for a drink before heading into the club. I repeat: stop judging us.

3. Die Busche
Warschauer Platz 18
(030) 296 08 00

No one ever admits to going here, but mysteriously the place gets packed as the night wears on. It may be the lowest rung in the hierarchy of queer establishments, but the unabashedly tacky atmosphere makes for a fun, down-to-earth evening out. (Brace yourself for top 40 hits… from a few years ago.) Also, it may be the only queer place in town where girls outnumber boys.

4. GMF
Alexander Straße 7

If Die Busche is low, GMF is as high as it gets–literally. The decadent Sunday party radiates thumping music from the dizzying heights of a high-rise at Alexanderplatz. By Berlin standards, the €10 cover is hefty, but if you’re planning on staying out all night, the rooftop seats are probably more plush than your hostel bed.

Also in our guide: We don’t just stop at clubs and bars; we also have great recommendations for the most affordable hotels in Berlin, all of them visited and inspected by our editors. Read our reviews (and see our photos) in our Berlin guide.

The post Berlin: Gay nightlife on the cheap appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are a few suggestions for spending a fabulous (and Cheapo) day in the Marais:

1. Coffee kick-off

Start your walk out with a coffee at the old-worldly Café Les Philosophes (28, rue Vieille du Temple). The white-apron-clad waiters serve up standard espresso at decent prices. Moreover, the people-watching is amazing.

2. Vintage wears

Next, stroll one block north and turn right onto the rue des Rosiers, a tiny street lined with Kosher eateries, falafel joints, and boutiques.

Stroll past the eateries (for now) until you arrive at the quirky vintage shop called Vintage Désir (32, rue des Rosiers). Men and women can appreciate the many inexpensive vintage clothing options, but be prepared to dig and be elbowed by fashion-forward Frenchies.

Nearby Free ‘P’ Star (8, rue St-Croix de la Bretonnerie) and The King of Frip (33, rue du Roi de Sicile) are some other great alternatives to the pricey boutiques.

3. Falafel break

For cheap eats in the neighborhood, skip the restaurants and indulge in the area’s delicious falafel joints. You might initially scoff at the idea of eating falafel in Paris, but after one bite from famed L’As du Fallafel (34, rue des Rosiers) you’ll agree with Lenny Kravitz (their celebrity patron) that it’s the best in the world. And at only €5, it’s a steal for Paris. When the guy at the counter asks you a question, say, “Oui” – he is asking if you want spicy sauce!

Across the street is Micky’s Deli, a play on the New York deli scene, which offers a burger, fries, and drink for only €8.50.

If you have time for dessert, swing by the legendary Mazet de Montargis (37 Rue des Archives, Marais) for a tasty candy sample. It’s one of our favorite free things to do in Paris.

4. Visiting Victor

For some culture, continue down rue des Rosiers and turn left towards the Place des Vosges, the royal square built under King Henry IV, France’s beloved king. If the quaint park and uniformly beautiful buildings aren’t enough, head over to the Maison de Victor Hugo (6, Place des Vosges). Here the author of the “Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Les Misérables” lived, and its permanent collection is free to visit. It’s open every day but Monday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

5. Time for an aperitif

You must be exhausted — and thirsty! It’s time for an aperitif. Don’t avoid drinking in the Marais simply because you assume that prices will be high. Rather, indulge in the happy hour culture and grab a pint for €3.70 at the Open Café (17, rue des Archives, happy hour from 6-10 p.m.), a gay hotspot that’s also “straight-friendly.”

If you want a more mixed crowd, head over to La Perle (78, rue Vieille du Temple) for an inexpensive glass (or carafe) of wine. The young hipster crowd spills out onto the sidewalk until closing on weekends.

After a cheapo day in the Marais, you’ll be well fed, more cultured, and probably tipsy enough to think that your new vintage hat really does look incredible on you. Hey, it’s the Marais. Anything goes!

Your favorite places in the Marais

Do you have a favorite place to visit in the Marais? Share with us in the comments section!

The post Paris: A Cheapo day in the Marais appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.