Located in a former firehouse, this vibrant creative hub was founded as a safe harbor for independent artists in Paris; it’s home to rehearsal spaces, dance studios, workshops, and more. The music programming is an eclectic and exhilarating mix of up-and-coming local acts and touring artists, including indie provocateurs like Deerhoof, Kevin Morby, Foy Vance, and Royal Blood. There’s also a solid on-site restaurant and a breezy rooftop terrace.

With free performances, affordable drinks, and a bustling calendar of underground music, L’International is one of the most welcoming venues in the city for adventure seekers on a budget. The calendar of shows is boldly eclectic, featuring old-school punk bands, hip-hop nights, DJs, and local singer-songwriters. After entering the spacious ground floor and grabbing a drink, you can head down to the lower level to catch live music.

“The Black Ball” has adapted to the changing tides of Parisian nightlife; it had chapters as a dance hall, a cabaret, and a cinema before transforming into a music venue in the ’90s. The programming features adventurous indie, electro, and R&B artists, and alumni of the stage include the likes of Metallica and Cat Power. Psychedelic murals liven up the walls of the no-frills space, with a bar at one end and a stage at the other.

Just behind Philharmonie de Paris, Le Trabendo is capped by one of Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi’s flamboyant “red follies”—a series of bold structures that punctuate green space of the Parc de la Villette. The 700-capacity venue is perfect for acts on the cusp of arena-filling success (BENEE, Christine and the Queens) and headliners eager to play an intimate stage (The Rolling Stones).

A buzzing place in the heart of Bastille, this postindustrial venue gets packed for electro dance nights and a roster of up-and-coming indie artists who play the aptly named They’re Gonna Be Big showcases. To catch your breath from the party on the main floor, head upstairs to relax in the lounge, which also hosts occasional jam sessions. Early shows are often free of charge, and the action doesn’t end until 6 am on the weekends.

Opened by a collective of promoters known as Collectif MU, this converted rail station comes alive on weekends, drawing fans of hardcore, punk, house, and techno. When the weather gets warm, the scene spills outside on the terraces, and the venue hosts a series of musically adventurous festivals, including Qui Confrouille Qui and the Garage MU Festival. La Station is situated outside the urban bustle, which allows the likes of SUUNS, Lightning Bolt, and local house DJs to turn things up loud.

Tucked away down a side street near Bastille, Le Motel is a hidden gem featuring craft cocktails, a fantastic roster of independent artists, and a low-key happy hour. The small club tends to get packed when a local band or songwriter takes over the small stage—an event that is often followed by a sweaty, euphoric dance party. If there’s no live music, you can rub shoulders with local tastemakers at regular quiz nights and karaoke sessions.

Built on a floating barge near the National Library, this eye-popping multipurpose venue keeps a full schedule of live music, creative workshops, and interactive programming. The eclectic schedule—experimental R&B one week, Scandinavian folk the next—is as tastefully unexpected as the wood-and-fluorescent-green architecture. Arrive early if you want to enjoy sweeping views of the Seine and a chance to explore the weird and wonderful garden of aquatic plants.

A multipurpose exhibition space, concert hall, bar, and restaurant, La Bellevilloise is a dynamic venue that hosts a variety of local and touring artists and a few fantastic festivals. Although the bookings often feature music makers from all over the world, this is a reliable spot to catch rising artists from Latin America and Africa. The Sunday jazz brunch is a beloved local institution.

With an effortlessly elegant restaurant on-site and a 500-capacity performance space, La Maroquinerie is a place to catch up-and-coming local and international artists in a startlingly intimate setting. The subterranean venue not only features great sight lines and sound, but it also has a packed agenda of indie bands, R&B artists, and hip-hop acts. Beck, Solange, Tame Impala, and Lomepal have given memorable performances here