Aux Folies 18 and over / 20s / 30s / After Work / Artsy / Artsy Dresses / Bohemian / Budget-friendly / Café / Creative / Crowded / Dive / Dive Bar / Drinkers / Edgy / Funky / Good for Groups / Graffiti / Groups / Happy Hour / Heat Lamps / Jeans and Heels / Lively / Locals / Moderate / No cover charge / Outdoor Area / Punks / Terrace / Theater Types / Trendy Casual / Trendy Vibe / Unpretentious / iPod Playlist

It is 36°C outside. The office was hot, your place is hotter, what to do? Well, why are you asking yourself? The answer is just here: Aux folies. Get there early for happy hour, and to get a table on the sidewalk. In the middle of the chinese neighbourhood, that is the perfect place to relax and refresh. Speak loud, dress as you want, and come with all of your friends. The music is not their best part, and if you are outside (and that is where you will want to be), you can barely listen it. That is a place you go on a sunday afternoon, or a tuesday after work, not pretensious at all. The quartier itself is completely different from the parisiens cliché. The prices are fair, and if you go to happy hour, you can still grab dinner at some of the delicious-cheap-chinese restaurants from Belleville.

My take In an area that hasn’t been discovered by tourists yet lies Aux Folies Café. Aux Folies once belonged to Folies-Belleville Cabaret Hall were Edith Piaf used to sing. She used to sip after show drinks at Aux Folies! A local’s secret, Aux Folies has the best terrace for watching the chaotic, electric buzz of Belleville and soaking in the history over a glass of wine or two. The scene Bohemian, funky, artsy and casual locals gather on the streets facing tables of Aux Folies for an afternoon tea and coffee or an after work drink. Just near them a graffiti artist sprays fresh paint over his last work. Inside the fluorescently lit bar the walls are covered in newspaper wallpaper, the barmen share a joke behind the counter and the colourful patrons speak over the music. The bar is a bit rough around the edges but that adds to its artsy, punk-rock feel. Cocktails and cuisine Have your dinner or lunch before because Aux Folies doesn’t serve food. They have a drinks menu written in chalk above the bar offering everything from beer to wine, cocktails and whiskey. Happy hour is from 6-8pm. Prices You won’t break your budget at Aux Folies. Beers starts at 4€, wine at 3€, and cocktails at 4.50€. What to wear Dress casual, artsy, funky or your “just came from the office” look. Anything goes! Insider info/When to go Go to Aux Folies in the evening and grab a terrace seat to experience the energy and diversity of Belleville.