Café Oz Châtelet Bar

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

Barhoppers who were expecting to find a yellow brick road here will be disappointed – in the case of Café Oz, the name refers to an affectionate nickname for Australia rather than to the land of lions, tigers, and bears – except maybe koala bears.

In addition to the alligators that greet patrons at the door, the décor is rich in Australian art and old photographs depicting past generations of Aussies drinking at the pub, and the wood bar and furnishings look like they were hewn by hand.

Oz is essentially a one-room bar and can get quite packed any night, which means those arriving late may have to contend with the doormen – but this is not a selective place, so anyone who can fit is always welcome.

The bar also features an elevated area for the DJ as well as a few smaller side rooms off the main bar that accommodate the overflow of outgoing patrons. The atmosphere is jovial and inviting, but gets a bit funkier at night when the blacklights are turned on and customers dance in the dark.

Rotating theme nights keep the vibe fresh, especially Tuesdays when there’s live music or a DJ, and Sundays when the bar hosts live blues bands. Sports fans needn't worry either, thanks to two giant screens that are always dedicated to the game of the night.

Visitors won’t argue that Café Oz is the same as a journey down under, but it’s definitely worth the trip.