By day, Paris is all about the museums and cafes, shopping, exploring, defining one’s personal reason for wanting to return again and again. But come early evening, that nap will feel mighty good, especially if the club scene beckons, which doesn’t swing into gear until midnight and lasts until breakfast rolls around at 6am.

Get coiffed, dress to kill and grab some attitude cause entry can be offensively selective. Once you’re in, no worries. Let the room, the music, the infectious joie de vivre spin you through the night.

LE CAB (formerly Cabaret)
2 place du Palais Royale
1st Arrondisement
Metro: Palais Royale
www.cabaret.fr

Consider dining in the club restaurant, which makes entry easier (you can find the menu on the website) and make sure your chic appeal is showing. Once inside the club, the Jacques Garcia-designed space is posh and trippy with its cushy banquettes and leather walls. Dance the night away with a wild assortment of dedicated party hounds, which requires a shower the next day to wash away the hipness. Night clubs in Paris are serious business. Be prepared for lots of fashion industry folk here, perspiring through their designer garb, but the energy is big and contagious and everyone is having a really good time.

BATOFAR
11, Quai Francois Mauriac
13th Arrondisement
Metro: Quai de la Gare or Biblioteque F. Mitterand
www.batofar.org

There are only three historic lightships remaining in France. Two are maritime museums and the third has been transformed into the crazy-popular landmark club named Batofar. Killer Dj nights, original music from all corners of the Earth plus four bars and My God, Man, you’re on a bright red ship in Paris, sipping champagne on a deck with the lights of the city shimmering on the silky waters of the Seine. Check the website for upcoming events and parties that spill out upon the quai in Summer.

BARRIO LATINO
46 rue du Faubourg St-Antoine
12th Arrondisement
Metro: Bastille
www.barriolatino.fr

Four floors of wrought iron, red velvet and hot Latin music. There is also a restaurant specializing in Brazilian and Argentinian fare. The club closes at 2am so have a plan B if you want to party til dawn.

LE REX
5 boulevard Poissionniere
2nd Arrondisement
Metro: Grands Boulevards
www.rexclub.com

Top Djs from around the world draw enamored clubbers to the best techno and house in the city. It’s a dance factory open all night. Get in line.

LE GIBUS
18 rue du Faubourg du Temple
11th Arrondisement
Metro: Republique
www.gibus.fr

This underground temple of techno, hip hop and trance is extremely popular. The concert hall upstairs is legendary and has seen the likes of Chuck Berry and the Sex Pistols. Dance til you drop.

PARIS PARIS
5 avenue de l’Opera
2nd Arrondisement
Metro: Pyramides

This is a hot club with amazing Djs, and an intimate house party feel, but admittance is tight so look the part and once inside, groove on through the night (I mean, morning).