by Joshua Schuermann from Easy Hiker

Looking for a place to rock the night away in Paris that will not rip-off your wallet? Here are 5 of the most electric, grungy yet chic bars and clubs you can find in the City of Pop … erm … Lights especially selected by Joshua Schuermann aka Easy Hiker Jr.

L’Escale

Word-of-mouth has assured the success of this bar that offers the cheapest Mojito around the capital (€4.50 a pint), great Latin music that will get your feet twitching for a salsa and very friendly staff. The place is basically a hole in the wall, so don’t expect to be sat on a table after 9p.m. But you would not want to sit inside anyway.
Where: 34 rue Clignancourt 75018, metro Barbes-Rochechouart or Chateau Rouge

Social Club

You like electronic music? Want to see tomorrow’s stars today – or perhaps even catch one of the big names of today’s scene live in action. Then, it’s loud and clear: go to the Social Club (formerly Le Triptyque, who first hosted bands like Justice, and Daft Punk)
Where: 142 rue Montmartre 75002, metro Bourse or Grands Boulevards

Le Point Ephémère

Where underground meets trendy, the world of grunge clashes with the urban idyll of the Canal St Martin and other seemingly irreconcilable opposites run into one another, the sparks of creative energy are still flying.
Where: 200 Quai de Valmy 75010, metro Louis Blanc

Le Pompon

A humble underground bar turned from an ugly duckling into the shining new star of the Parisian club scene. It has 2 bars to quench guests thirst after dancing away to the featured band’s music.
Where: Palais Bar 39 rue des Petites Ecuries 75010, metro Chateau d’Eau

Scop’ club

Come for the live rock music, stay for the food, come back for the atmosphere. Yes, there is that kind of club in Paris. If you’re lucky, you might even see live acts of up and coming international artists.
Where: 5 Ave. de l’Opera 75001, moetro Palais Roya, Musee de Louvre or Pyramides

by Joshua Schuermann from Easy Hiker

Image: Le Pompon

Why not take a trip to París? Have a look at our flights here! 

When you think of nightlife and dancing to indie music until the early hours, Rome doesn’t normally spring to mind. The nightlife in Rome is perhaps not among the most popular in Europe but it does have its own charm and venues where you can enjoy indie music.

In order to give you an idea before you set out into the night around Rome, you need to know that the bars usually close at midnight in winter and stay open until 02:00 in summer. Another important factor to consider is that the price of drinks can range from € 2 for a glass of house wine at a bar to € 12 for a long drink in a night club.

We have taken a tour of the most indie bars and discos in the city. Why not check them out if you happen to be in the Italian capital and miss the indie sound of the clubs back home.

Let’s start the night at Micca Club. Here, you can have a bite to eat while listening to good music and enjoying the first drink of the evening. It can be found in the Esquilino district and it is worth seeing a place like Micca before heading over to the Pigneto district where you will find most of the bars and clubs you are looking for.

Once you get to Pigneto, why not have a drink in Necci. They say it was a favourite of Pasolini and the 1960s style decoration is well worth a visit.

On the same street, at number 101, you will find Fanfulla 101. Cheap drinks, good DJ sessions and maybe an interesting exhibition.

After those first drinks, the time has come to dance and keep all that alcohol from going straight to your head. If you get there early, Init is a great place. It’s small and cosy with good music.

To end the night, there is nothing better than dancing at Circolo Degli Artisti. If you go in summer, you can even take a dip in their swimming pool.

There are other alternatives but at a distance from this part of the city. However, we do recommend Piper Club for being the spiritual home of all lovers of the 1960s sound in the Italian capital or Palalottomattica for being the largest indie club in Rome.
Palalottomattica

We hope you enjoy your indie night in Rome. Have a look at our flights here!

Image: Aaron Logan 

By listening Vienna, comes to mind the Strauss Waltzes or famous Philharmonic, ringing in great baroque churches. But the Austrian capitalhas other great temples: the electronic music ones, found along the Danube Canal, under the Riesenrad, in the Gürtel or in the backyard.

Since the Vienna Sound emerged in the early nineties from the hand of duo Kruder and Dorfmeister Dj, who created an international sound that has evolved musically to reach great strength.

Here are some clues to follow the Viennese sound:

1.- Flex

The Flex has one of the best sound systems in Vienna and this is something that should now already know all across Europe. In the old premises of the U-Bahn, turned to a club with no volume problems, which, as a rule, encourages international Djs invited to the house as DJ Hell, Trentemøller or Carl Craig, and makes possible their best performances on the decks. Tuesdays and Saturdays are a fixed date for electronic lovers. And on the cozy terrace looking directly at the Danube Canal can kick off the relaxed nights.

Flex

Donaukanal – Augartenbrücke 1010 Wien

2.- Club Fluc

Cerca de la Noria Gigante, se ha establecido en la entrada del Prater un local subterráneo. El Fluc y el Fluc Wanne en el sótano están imbuidos por la electrónica y su repertorio abarca desde actuaciones Noise vanguardistas hasta desenfadadas fiestas disco de estilo Indie.

Club Fluc
Praterstern 5 1020 Wien

3.- Pratersauna

A little further, in the Prater, the Pratersauna is one of the hottest clubs in the city dedicated to electronic music. The Pratersauna is also the center of this genre’s festivals. Grelle Forelleen the Spittelauer Lände is also causing quite a buzz lately in the world, offering a high-class DJ’s lineup during the whole weekend.

Pratersauna
Waldsteingartenstraße 135 1020 Wien

4.- Rhiz

Although at first glance, Avenue Gürtel is not one of the most picturesque places in Vienna, under the suburban’s arches have been established new local music. Venues as rhiz has been a reference for years, with sessions and performances daily live. A completely transparent venue in which brings together fans of electronic music.

Rhiz
Lerchenfelder Gürtel, Stadtbahnbögen 37-38 1080 Wien

5.- Elektro Gönner

Despite being located in a somewhat hidden in the backyard of the Mariahilfer Straße shopping street, the Elektro Gönner has become a popular meeting point. A minimalist space, which had been an old electronics store, where art installations and video are projected. Frequented mainly by architects, artists and musicians, it is a place to put the finishing touch to the night thanks to its late closing time.

Elektro Gönner
Mariahilfer Straße 101/1 1060 Wien

Why not take a trip to Viena? Have a look at our flights here!

Hip hop arrived in France in 1979 and was highly influenced by the hip hop scene in the States, especially the gangsta scene. Hip hop became very popular in France due to the sizeable African community living in the country. The political and social situation in French cities consolidated rap sung in French and, in 1982, numerous radio stations broadcasting hip hop emerged. This gave shape to a burgeoning urban movement.

France is the second-largest market in the world for hip hop and Marseille is home to a number of artists in the genre. MC Solaar has become one of the most successful stars of French hip hop. MC Solaararrived from Senegal in 1970 and settled in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges. Two movements emerged from there; the artists who work more closely with melodies and funk; and those that choose a more aggressive style, more hardcore.

Guide to hip hop locations in Marseille:

Hip Hop Shop: At 97 Rue de Rome, you will find this urban clothing shop where you can buy all kinds of clothes and accessories that are directly related to the world of hip hop. Some of the brands you can find at Hip Hop Shop include Pelle Pelle, Street Vision and TwoAngle.
Address: 97 Rue de Rome, Marseille
Tel.: 91 54 16 61

Galette Records: At 31 Rue des Trois Rois, since January 2010, you can find this music shop that, besides the most select hip hop, also sells a range of the latest hip hop from Marseille and the rest of France. You can also find soul, funk, jazz, Afro and Latino music.

Address: 31 Rue des Trois Rois, Marseille
Tel.: 09 77 76 05 07

Address: 178 Rue de Rome, Marseille
Tel.: 91 37 58 65

Le Mille-Pattes: In the Noailles district is where all hip hop lovers in Marseille gather at this cultural association with Franco-African roots set up in 1996. Its goal is to support and promote any artistic expression in Marseille.

Address: 62-64 Rue d’Aubagne, 13001 Marseille.
Tel.: 91 55 70 60

Radio Grenouille: the radio station that plays all the latest hip hop. It is very popular among the people of Marseille and many others in the rest of France, who listen online at http://www.radiogrenouille.com/. This cultural radio station plays non-commercial music with a commitment to bring music and culture closer to young people. It is based at the Friche Belle de Mai Gallery in the Belle de Mai district.

Address: 41 Rue Jobin – 13003
Tel.: 95 04 95 15

A place well worth discovering! Check out our flights here.