Where to Find Cabaret in Paris

Ahh Paris, the capital of the cabaret. There’s no more quintessential representation of Parisian nightlife than an evening at the cabaret. For many visitors and residents alike, however, knowledge does not extend beyond the legendary Moulin Rouge and its cinematic glory. You’ll be pleased to hear that there are actually a ton of other places to catch a French cabaret while in Paris, each coming with their own unique experience. Beginning with four of the city’s most major cabaret venues, we’ll introduce you to a few additional and more intimate alternatives. Here’s our exhaustive breakdown of Parisian cabaret options for your viewing splendour...

The Moulin Rouge

It wouldn't be a cabaret rundown without at least a fleeting reference to that famous red windmill. A great evening's entertainment for tourists who are partial to a little cliché, but perhaps not the first choice for those who prefer to live off the beaten track. If you hadn't heard of the venue, you may still have heard of Baz Luhrmann's glitzy 2001 blockbuster of the same name. The Moulin Rouge saw the birth of the world-famous can-can dance, and nowadays, with it being the singular place for mainstream burlesque, last-minute tickets can be more than a little tricky to get a hold of. If you're in the mood for an alternative to the obvious name, then boy do we have a list for you!

Crazy Horse

This international celebrity favourite features world-class dancers complete with legendary lighting and special effects. A show 65 years in the making, Totally Crazy at the Crazy Horse is a collection of iconic cabaret acts, revisited with a twist. More risqué than the city’s other shows and with an all-female troupe of performers, Totally Crazy is a true ode to femininity. The venue, whose name is a tribute to the American Sioux chief Crazy Horse, was originally a swanky wine cellar constructed in the 1950s, before its transformation into a staple of Parisian nightlife. Since then it has played host to the likes of Beyoncé, Katy Perry, and burlesque icon Dita Von Teese.

Location: Steps from the iconic Avenue des Champs-Elysées
Starting price: 85€
Packages possible: show only, show + drinks, private backstage tour with a dancer, show + dinner in a nearby restaurant
Playing: Monday - Friday, 8 p.m. or 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m., or 11:45 p.m.

Paradis Latin

Home to a large number of Paris’ universities and campuses, the Latin Quarter is known as one of the city’s more studious areas. Bringing an irreverent twist to this seat of learning, the Paradis Latin cabaret is a favourite with the locals. The venue has a history that dates back to Napoleon, was designed by architect Gustave Eiffel himself, and welcomes a predominantly French audience of regulars. All of which combine to make it Paris’ most authentic cabaret offering. The tickets are also comparatively cheaper than elsewhere and the traditional French dinner fare is reliably exquisite.

Location: Nestled around the back of the Sorbonne University in Paris’ Latin Quarter
Starting price: 75€
Packages possible: show only, show + drinks, show + drinks + dinner
Playing: Wednesday through Sunday, 8pm or 9:30pm

Cabaret Burlesque

In terms of location, it doesn’t get much better than this: Cabaret Burlesque unfolds on a boat in the shadow of Notre Dame itself. A celebration of feminine beauty in all its forms, this burlesque shines the limelight on bodies of every possible sort, shape, and size. A more comedic take on the traditional showgirl performance, Cabaret Burlesque breathes new life into an age-old art form and leaves its audience in stitches night after night.

Location: La Nouvelle Seine, a unique theatre on a barge in the shadow of Notre Dame
Starting price: 23€
Packages possible: show only, show + drinks
Playing: Friday and Saturday, 11pm

Cabaret Canaille

Once a week at the Comédie de Paris, in the heart of the glamorous 9th arrondissement, audience members are invited to travel back in time to the golden age of American burlesque, with the Cabaret Canaille. Discover how burlesque flourished in opposition to strict laws of censorship, and became an expression of female liberation. On top of this, you’ll find yourself charmed by the dancers’ sparkling wit and humor. The show is naughty, flirty, impressive, and intelligent… A little something to suit every taste, don’t you think?

Location: La Comédie de Paris, a theatre in the heart of the fabulous 9th arrondissement.
Starting price: 25€
Playing: Sundays, 7 p.m.

Le Lido

Le Lido de Paris sadly closed its doors this summer, after being hit particularly hard during the Covid-19 pandemic. The venue had changed ownership one year previously, and in the end, did not manage to recoup its losses incurred due to lockdowns. However, all hope is not lost. As we speak, the Lido de Paris is undergoing renovations to transform it into a music venue, so although you may no longer have the chance to witness the Bluebell Girls on that iconic stage, you still have the chance to visit, albeit, for a very different kind of show.