35 Tours Wine Bar

Les Halles / Rivoli - 1er / 2eme, Paris –

Owned by a diehard street art and vinyl enthusiast, 35 Tours is an intimate venue that feels kind of like stepping into a minimalist New York apartment circa 1985.

Large records strung in neat rows above the slick glass entrance highlight the retro feel of the place, transporting creative-minded regulars back in time as they gather for appetizers, wine, locally-brewed beer, and maybe a little cognac on a late night.

Throughout the narrow, tightly packed interior, small groups chat quietly on the blue and white benches, explore shelves of LPs and books on music in the back, or admire the Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, and Basquiat reproductions on the walls and counter tops.

As a few people slip outside to smoke and sit on the curb, larger groups head downstairs to a barren stone-walled room known to host a little impromptu dancing. The music comes in varied styles thanks to the considerable collection of LPs on hand, from ambient electronica and alt-rock to old-school hip-hop and folk, though guests often bring in their own records or iPods to add to the mix.

The owner is also known to take on the turntables now and again, promising an eclectic mix of beats for the trendy locals who start crowding in by late Thursday nights.

A far cry from a rowdy student pub, stylish 35 Tours is the ideal spot to cozy in with the sort of folks who are cool primarily because they aren’t trying to be.