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AU LIMONAIRE Map

01 45 23 33 33; http://limonaire.free.fr; 18 cité Bergère, 9e; admission free; 7pm-midnight Mon, 6pm-midnight Tue-Sun; Grands Boulevards

This little wine bar, tucked far away from the big commercial cabarets off rue Bergère, is one of the best places to listen to traditional French chansons and other traditional vocals. The singers (who change regularly) perform on the small stage every night; the fun begins at 7pm on Sunday, 8.30pm on Monday and at 10pm Tuesday to Saturday. It’s free entry, and simple meals are served for between €8.50 and €11.

CHEZ ADEL Map

01 42 08 24 61; 10 rue de la Grange aux Belles, 10e; admission free; noon-2am Tue-Sun; Jacques Bonsergent

Chez Adel is a truly Parisian concept: Syrian hosts with guest chansonniers (as well as Gypsy, folk and world music singers) performing most nights to a mixed and enthusiastic crowd. Mains cost from €7.50. The part-Parisian, part-Eastern décor of this simple bistro looks better as the owners’ punch goes down. Music starts at 7pm weekdays and at 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

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PARIS VIBES

Tariq Krim, charismatic founder and CEO of Netvibes.com, is among a clutch of young innovators credited with making the internet what it is. Be it tracking the future in digital space or the next best bar in his city, he is a Parisian in tune with the vibe. He has clubbed with Paris’ finest first-generation electronic-music DJs, his music taste is eclectic and as work increasingly takes him around the world, he is enjoying a new weekend affair with his city. So where does he go on Saturday night? He opened his address book to Nicola Williams at Netvibes’ sunlit loft offices in the 2e, around the corner from the Rex Club.

You go out a lot, right? I’m not very often here anymore (always travelling with Netvibes), and when I am it’s for fun; it’s interesting because now I’m experiencing Paris at the weekend. I’m very loyal to lots of places. I grew up in the Marais and spent almost all my life there and the Bastille. The 11e is my all-time favourite neighbourhood: I’m very much this side of the Seine, but you know the story… If I have to go to St-Germain I don’t know where to go.

Your ideal night out? Two kinds: when you have no voice because you have to yell over the music and places where you can actually talk.

Perfect lose-your-voice places? Chez Janou ( 01 42 72 28 41; www.chezjanou.com; 2 rue Roger Verlomme, 3e; Chemin Vert), one of my favourite restaurants in France, period. It’s been there for 10 years and is an institution, the canteen of people like John Malkovich. I call it little New York now because so many people speak English there these days. Or Café de l’Industrie ( 01 47 00 13 53; 17 rue St-Sabin, 11e; Breguet Sabin); that’s a loud place. Then drinks at L’Aréa ( 01 42 72 96 50; 10 rue Tournelles, 4e; Bastille), a Lebanese-Brazilian restaurant with lots of music. The owner, Édouard, is an amazing guy, super nice, and knows where to send you next, which clubs… I used to go to the Rex. Now there’s the Social Club.

For something quieter? Two Italian restaurants: There is one I love – it could be the perfect date restaurant: Swann et Vincent (Click here; 01 43 43 49 40; 7 rue St-Nicolas, 12e; Ledru-Rollin). And there’s Le Rusti ( 01 42 72 02 51; 8 rue des Tournelles, 4e; Bastille): small, very trendy, lots of beautiful people.

Then I go for a cocktail. Le Fumoir has the best collection of vodka martinis and is very quiet, especially the last room at the back. I love the idea of a vintage club with armchairs, a library full of books and international magazines, and people drinking very nice cocktails. The décor is also amazing: Art Deco – lost in New York after Prohibition.

The other place I go is a new place called The Experimental Cocktail Club ( 01 45 08 88 09; www.myspace.com/experimentalcocktailclub; 37 rue St-Saveur, 2e; 6pm-2am Sun-Thu, to even later Fri & Sat; Reaumur Sébastopol), so successful they’re opening another Click here.