New shop in Paris opened by the Pain o Chokolat Crew (street hip hop crew). The Pigalle shop stocks exclusive street culture brands from across the globe. You’ll always meet a bunch of international people when visiting the shop. The Pigalle shop has the hype of street culture but the underlying feelings of a classic shop and the staff is very helpful and friendly.

Temple of alternative culture, full of underground comics, graphics and literature.

Ofr is a bookstore, gallery and lifestyle. Alex and Marie have been running one version or another of this Paris institution for the last 20 years. The shelves are always packed with a new selection of books, magazines and art. 

Opened in 2011 by the people at Magnum Photo Agency (their Paris bureau is a few streets away), Le Bal is an institutional exhibition space dedicated to the documentary image. For the most part that means lots of photography exhibits but they like to mix up the shows with videos and especially books. They hold conferences with a great line-up of guest speakers and screen documentaries and other films at the nearby Cinéma de Cinéastes. Be sure to check out the bookshop where you can browse through their connoisseur’s collection of high-end photo books and limited edition zines. Le Bal Café is a great place to meet friends for a quick drink or sit down and taste Anna and Alice’s Anglo-French cuisine. And if you’re wondering why it’s called Le Bal, the space was once a dance hall cum brothel in the roaring ‘20s.

A beautiful art-deco billard venue. One of the very rare place to find a snooker table in Paris.