Hi all,
planning a trip to Paris and had a quick question about night life. I know Paris is divided into arrondissemants (sorry spelling?) is there one that has a more lively night life than another?
While we are 50 some things and not looking for dance clubs, it would be nice to enjoy a cocktail or two after hours and thought we get a hotel that was easy to get back to.

Thanks.

There are quite a few Jazz Clubs. If you do a search on 'Paris Jazz' you will get some recommendations.

Lots and lots of spots, not only in St. Germain where Sartre famously held court in the Café de Flore or the Café les Deux Magots. There is one street, Rue des Lombards, that you might want to check out, wall-to-wall cafés and bars and a few Jazz Clubs, pedestrians only, it runs east-west a few short blocks up from the Ile de la Cité (Pont au Change), between Sainte-Opportune and Saint-Denis.

Some areas are much more residential than others, of course. If you literally mean a cocktail and not a glass of wine or beer, you have to go to bars for a good selection. There are places called "American bars" that have more cocktails. There is one that advertises a lot on the Right Bank on rue Danou for that, I think it has jazz (Harry's New York Bar). It's over in the Opera House direction. I am not a big jazz fan and those places can be expensive and often you can't get a seat, so if you don't really like or want jazz, not the best place to go just for a cocktail.

You can get a drink at any cafe all over the place, though. I do like the cafe Select in Montparnasse as I often stay in the area, and it has cocktails.

You might want to wander along rue Oberkampf in the 11th at night, which has places of interest for all age groups.

http://tinyurl.com/2f462bo

We love the sixth...plenty of places to drink wine or kir or cafe creme and watch the people. I also like to have a drink at some of the nice and/or famous hotel bars in the first or the eight.

eliza61 - My husband and I are in our early sixties and really enjoyed watching the dancing on Quai Saint-Bernard (with glass in hand naturally!) so you may find this an interesting part of a trip to Paris?
http://tinyurl.com/2c3gr7b

I was looking forward to seeing the dancing on Quai Saint Bernard, however, I don't believe it takes place in October. I'm leaving for Paris next week and would've liked to see it.

Are there "after hours"in Paris cafes or bistros??? They are all open so anywhere you go just to sit and watch the action will be fine. If you are specifically looking for jazz or night clubs that is a different story!

One good thing to know is that the "major" cafés in busy areas will stay open until 2 a.m. which is the obligatory closing hour -- except for the places that have a special permit until 5 a.m. or the 24 hour permit.... Not very many of those.

Some places serve all night. There is one near les Halles, Au Pied du Cochon, with...a specialty of pig's feet

www.pieddecochon.com