Bab Ilo

My wife and I visit Paris at least once a year and have been to Bab Ilo on a couple of occasions. The atmosphere is always excellent, and last night was no exception. However, last night was also an experiment because although we are both jazz fans, neither of us could claim to be fans or officianadoes of 'free form jazz'. But last night, that's what was on offer. So we paid our 10 euros each cover charge, ordered a couple or glasses of the amazing homemade rum punch, and took ourselves down to the basement for some free-form jazz! The set seemed to be focused on a 25 year old sax player supported by some more experienced (and dare I say much older) players led by an exceptional pianist. It was an experience. Frankly, the first two tunes were just noise. Clichéd free form jazz that, in my opinion, gives jazz a bad name. To be frank, despite the air of confidence (or dare I say cockiness), whether it was a mixture of nerves or immaturity, the sax player played the first couple of tunes like he was breaking wind! However, tunes three and four were a revelation. Steered by the experienced hand of the exceptional pianiist, the quartet really hit their groove and with refrains of 'Summertime' and even 'Greensleeves' sitting underneath, the music built and took us on a journey that felt like an education in what free form Jazz is meant to be! Another excellent, albeit different, experience at this amazing, atmospheric, and authentic jazz club away from the tourist traps of central Paris. We're already looking forward to our next trip!

Jazz club and live music..Locale very very cool.If you want Is possibile to eat.We Have a drink for the concert jazz .Amazing.

Seen a magnificent jazz band on the Saturday night, The bar staff are very friendly also

We got to listen to wonderful jazz music by really talented musicians!!! A very warm and loving atmosphere, both from the staff, the musicians and the audience. Drinks and a mixed plate of charcuteries and cheese available. An evening I’ll keep for a long time in my heart

Super intimate, tiny jazz club with the sweetest staff. Blown away by the evenings jazz trio. Great experience!!

Very warm and welcoming environment with an amazing atmosphere. Felt at home instantly and the drinks are very reasonably priced. Musicians were very talented and the music was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Highly recommend!!

Wow! Unbelievable 6 piece band playing on a Sunday night. Just a shame only 10 people in the audience. If you're in Paris and appreciate jazz, get along. They only charged 10 euro and drinks very reasonable too. Great people 👍

Friendly atmosphere at this tiny Jazz Bar. Drinks and tickets were reasonably priced. The sound in the downstairs room was excellent, and the performance from Roland Pierre-Charles was amazing. Shame there was only a few of us watching, but we were privileged.

It's clearly a local place, the street level is a bar with an open floorplan manned by a friendly bartender. There is a nice cocktail list plus of course wine - Paris seems to be big on umbrella drinks and every cocktail bar seems to have a pina colada on the menu along with a couple fruity drinks plus a mojito and a mule drink, plus maybe a caipirinha or margarita or gin & tonic. The list here is along these lines, but they do a pretty good job other than the fact that you get your one drink, watch the show downstairs, and then pretty much every patron had an empty glass shortly into the first music set. Missed revenue, but I guess that's not my concern. Downstairs is a tiny room for music (and apparently comedy shows) that seats no more than about 30 in a cramped space with 5 tiny rows of 4 chairs plus a couple tables & benches on the side. On the night we attended the music was fine, a 3 piece jazz band playing some unique but fairly sleepy stuff. It was the first time a couple of the musicians had played together but they did a good job and it was worth the 10 Euro charge in order to catch some music. Paris is big on Jazz, but admittedly I'm a little spoiled in New Orleans yet it was well worth a visit to Bab Ilo. If I'm in the neighborhood I would go back, but wouldn't venture too far across Paris to come here.