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