Paris comes alive when the lights dim and the cabaret curtains rise. We've rounded up five unforgettable shows that capture the city's flair for music, glamour, and mischief.
Moulin Rouge
Glamorous, grand, festive Belle Epoque show with a large cast of performers, plenty of feathers, extravagant costumes, and changing scenes. The home of the high kick, the French cancan dance. More about the Moulin Rouge show.
Booking Options: 7 pm dinner show, and 9 and 11 pm shows (with champagne). Prices are highly variable and depend on show timing (with or without dinner), day of the week, and season. The show runs for 2 hours.
BOOK with Dinner Show or with Champagne only.
Why you should visit: Historic venue in Montmartre, Paris, which is great for all first-timers.
Cons: A bit more touristy, and seating is a bit cramped.
Crazy Horse
Modern revue show, titled “Totally Crazy,” with burlesque, cabaret flair, and highly choreographed routines performed by a troupe of cabaret girls. Influenced by surrealism, pop art, and minimalism, the light and visual aspects are a major component. It's a high-aesthetics sensual show!
Booking Options: Monday to Thursday 8 pm and 10:30 pm shows. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays, 7 pm, 9:30 pm, and 11:45 pm. From €119 onwards for a show-only (no drinks) ticket. The spectacle lasts 90 minutes.
Why you should visit: Unified aesthetics meets high fashion. The venue is located in central Paris. Great staff and service. Fewer “bad” seats.
Cons: Steep price if you add drinks and dinner options.
Théâtre du Lido
A classic Parisian cabaret, which was formerly known as Le Lido. The shows have been reinvented and are a mashup of musical theater and the classic cabaret experience. High-quality singing and dancing performances are the strong side of the Théâtre du Lido.
Booking Options: 6:30 and 11 pm dinner show options and 8 pm show without dinner. From €25 onwards. Better seats are pricier and are booked rather quickly. The show lasts 2 ½ hours. Tickets are booked directly.
Why you should visit: Cabaret-style seating with intimate but spectacular vibes. Luxury and elegance come into play here. Located in the center of Paris. Basic tickets are not as pricey.
Cons: The format has evolved towards a musical theater production rather than a topless showgirls cabaret revue.
Paradi Latin
A traditional Parisian cabaret revue spectacle that comes with all the lively and sensual dance, singing, acrobatics, and comedy. The performances resemble the style of the Moulin Rouge with all the classic feathers and sequins and, of course, the French cancan.
Booking Options: Midday or Night Show, either with a dinner or just the show. Arrival time for the midday show with lunch is at 12 pm and lasts until 3:45 pm. The night show is from 7:30 pm to 11 pm. From €90 onwards. A full show length is 3 hours.
BOOK with 3 Course Dinner Show or Show with optional Champagne
Why you should visit: Centrally located in the Latin Quarter and designed by Gustave Eiffel (the Eiffel Tower dude). Great value for money, and the show dinner is well worth it.
Cons: A bit more touristy, some seats are less favorable than others.
La Nouvelle Eve
An energetic ambiance with the classic expected elements of a cabaret revue, titled Paris “Je t'aime,” in a Belle Époque-style theater. The place grew famous thanks to the Netflix show Emily in Paris. Here you'll experience a tribute to all the Paris legends with everything you'd expect as a visitor to the city of love. A lighthearted tone and audience interactions are part of the rich performance.
Booking Options: The show and dinner commence at 6:30 pm, and the show with or without champagne starts at 8:15 or 10:30 pm and takes place for 90 minutes. The dinner show tickets are priced at €159, and the show-only tickets are €79 per adult.
BOOK with Dinner Show or with Champagne only.
Why you should visit: A historic small theater located in Montmartre, the center of the legendary artists quarters. Classic and modern show elements in an intimate setting. Comes with a cancan finale. 🙂
Cons: More popular among tourists than locals, and it's not a purely French cabaret (e.g., English songs). Drinks are pricier, and the dinner is a hit-and-miss.
Tips
Note that a specific etiquette is expected when visiting a Parisian cabaret.
Formal or semi-formal attire is the norm. Some establishments may have stricter rules surrounding footwear, but generally, they tend to allow sneakers. Just avoid coming in wearing summer shorts, because they will turn you away.
Purchase tickets well in advance if you care about seat selection/view and if you are traveling in a group or at a specific time of the year (holidays).
Dinner show tickets can be significantly worth it if you'd like the full experience. You get to choose your meal in advance.
It's not weird to visit a Parisian cabaret with your relatives. The crowd can be younger or aged; everyone enjoys a good revue show.
Yes, nudity is part of the cabaret experience (except at the Lido).
Don't be late.
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