Thursday, July 20, 2006

La fleche d'or, half way between Paris and London

No better place than la Fleche d'or symbolizes change in urban nightlife. In a precedent world, this former train station in the outskirts of Paris was a rough, down-to-earth bar, sponsoring gigs, joints and local far-left come togethers. From one day to the next, the fleche d'or closed, a blow to the local vibe. Two years later, this same former train station re-opens, keeping nothing but the name. If you look scruffy at the door, the doormen tell you 'forget the old fleche d'or, this is something totally different'. And it is ! Not as rough, but with much more class, this is the only venue where you can get daily free pop-rock concerts, many groups coming straight from Shoreditch. And all that above urban railways. You won't find the crowd elsewhere in Paris - most of them regulars since the bar re-opened. It's a new hip Paris hadn't known about; something Kreuzberg, Brick Lane and Friedierischain have known for years, an east-end hip far from the central crowds and western snobiness. The only problem is that it's a first try for Paris and who knows where this will lead. The owner is a bar owner in the Marais and building a hotel accross from the fleche d'or which may become a new Murano or Kube like hotel. And then the venue may become too selective and exorbitantly priced evolving from hip to fashionesta. In the meantime, come along, if you're the right person you'll have the right fun. Just remember, it ain't no dive anymore.
La fleche d'or // Rue de Bagnolet, Paris, 20 // Open daily 20 - 06 (or 04) // Metro Gambetta or Buzenval

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Paris - La feline at last

At last a different bar in Paris, where there's not much left apart from the ubiquitous counter cafes, uber-trendy nighstops and conventional bars you find in every other city.La feline sets a different scene. Set in what used to be Paris east headquarters for hash and crak dealers and street hip hop wannabees, La feline says no to drugs (inside at least) but yes to rock'n'roll. We're talking '50s, '60s, '70s records (no CDs) in what could look be a retro american diner. The beach boys could be followed by Pink Floyd and Paul William's rare phantom of the Paradise soundtrack. And if you start talking music with the owner and bartender, you'll spend the night learning about all the underground record shops in Paris. The crowd is cool - a mix of neighbourhood folks -still arguably the coolest in paris, and east-london like trendy kids who know the owner from back when he was bartender in Paris' hip bars. Come alone, you'll have a blast. The rare parisians open enough to speak to a stranger are here (yep -even the pretty girls have that east-london like openness). And if you're hungry in the wee hours, the carribean dive next door will make you great food that they even bring to the bar. It's not dodgy or too trendy but just like it's supposed to be.
La Feline bar // 6 rue Victor Letalle, Metro Ménilmontant // 18-2 daily except Monday
opened since July 2006

What it's about

Granted. I'm not the first one with this idea -and probably not the last. But what the hell, ideas are there to be refined and to evolve; a constant change that leads one idea to the next. There are two things I'm good at : interpreting networks (no worries, there's a blog for that too) and finding a city's alternative spots (bars, restaurants, sights...). So that's what this blog does. In some ways it may appear like another gridskipper-like blog. But you can't blame me for it. I'll post my findings in all cities I go to. Alternative guide book, urban bible or useless blog. Take is as you wish but I will be unapologetic.

About Me

an opinionated guide to alternative nightlife and urban culture. what else?