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Don’t bother looking for a name above this hip student café, framed by expensive designer fashion shops – there isn’t one. Well-worn Formica tables, petrol-blue banquettes and a fine collection of 1950s lights and lampshades keep the sleek crowd out, the retro crowd in. A fabulous find for a chocolate or beer, light lunch or flop between lectures.

CAFÉ THOUMIEUX Map Café

01 45 51 50 40; 4 rue de la Comète, 7e; noon-2am Mon-Fri, 5pm-2am Sat; La Tour Maubourg

The trendy tapas annexe of Brasserie Thoumieux is always full of well-heeled young people who seem to enjoy the Iberian ambience. Tapas and San Miguel beer set the scene, but perfumed vodka is the house speciality, with no fewer than 40 different types (including chocolate, fig, watermelon and mint tea) to pick from.

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ÉTOILE & CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES

The av des Champs-Élysées is still a popular place for drinking but the vast majority of venues are terribly expensive and tend to be either tacky tourist traps or exceedingly pretentious lounges. A few nondescript but less flashy pubs can be found in the side streets to the north and south.

The chic quarters around Concorde are not great for finding a classic Parisian café or happening drinking hole, but there are some very memorable, glamorous venues with fantastic décor and, often, a rich history. While not on most Parisians’ regular outing list, they definitely merit at least one visit. Most of the fancy hotels along rue de Rivoli have very classy bars and lounges.

BUDDHA BAR Map Cocktail Bar

01 53 05 90 00; 8-12 rue Boissy d’Anglas, 8e; noon-2am Sun-Thu, 4pm-3am Fri & Sat; Concorde

Although moving in and out of A-list status as the fickle übercrowd comes and goes, Buddha Bar has made a name for itself with its Zen lounge music CDs and remains a hit – especially with tourists. The décor is simply spectacular, with a two-storey golden Buddha, millions of candles, intimate corners and supremely attitudinous staff. Go for the cocktails (from €16) and Asian-inspired bar snacks.

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top picks

CAFÉ TERRACES

Languish lazily on a café terrace like a Parisian and watch the capital enjoy life over an early-evening apéritif at:

Café Beaubourg, 3e

Café Delmas, 5e

Chez Prune, 10e (opposite)

De la Ville Café, 10e (opposite)

Le Bistrot du Peintre, 11e

Café Le Panier, 10e

Le Sancerre, 18e

Café des Initiés, 1er

Les Funambules, 11e

Chai 33, 12e

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CRICKETER Map Pub

01 40 07 01 45; 41 rue des Mathurins, 8e; noon-2am; Madeleine or Havre Caumartin

This self-proclaimed ‘English sports pub’ can stake a claim to authenticity – it was transported lock, stock and barrel from Ipswich. It’s not a happening venue at night, but with Newcastle Brown on tap, salt ’n’ vinegar chips, Brit tabloids, three big screens and quiz night every Tuesday it is as close to Old Blighty as you’ll find on this side of the Channel.

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CLICHY & GARE ST-LAZARE

The neighbourhood around place de Clichy, traditionally the centre of the ‘have-not’ half of the otherwise very well-heeled 17e, has come into its own in recent years with the development of nearby (and très bobo) Batignolles. Rue des Dames is a particularly rewarding street when in search of a libation or a laugh. There’s also an excellent wine bar and one of our favourite big terrace cafés here.

LUSH BAR Map–5 Bar

01 43 87 49 46; 16 rue des Dames, 17e; 5pm-2am; Place de Clichy

This Clichy post has made a name for itself with a relaxed-but-hip local following and Anglo expats. It has excellent cocktails including killer white Russians, as well as wines and, in true English (or Irish – there are photos of the Emerald Isle on the walls) style, affordable beers. DJs often play on weekends.

BAR À VINS DU CINÉMA DES CINÉASTES Map Wine Bar

01 53 42 40 34; 7 av de Clichy, 17e; 5.30pm-midnight Tue-Sun; Place de Clichy

This excellent wine bar is seldom filled to capacity, presumably because most people are downstairs, watching a film at the Cinéma