A souvenir I have from Istitklal's effervescence, a famous avenue in Istanbul, and its crowded streets, lights and music, cosy bars, backgammon players, shishas, a real diversity and social life far from the cold North and its austerity. This image is fascinating and make us wonder what is so different here in London and Paris.
Paris is getting more gentrified, popular culture has vanished from the streets at night, and most of the Parisians gather up in their own customs, afraid to share a smile with strangers. Someone working in the night life industry asserted me how people were staying in their communities; each will stand for its taste and preferences, despising what in the end he doesn't try to understand.
In Paris, alternative is promoted. Though less mediated, there is an audience for everything. So they all build up their program, and open scenes, away from the others. You can find amazing space such as the Bellevilloise in North Paris, huge building made of several floors, containing a club, a restaurant, a forum and other opened spaces for culture. The Point Éphémère, an artistic lounge concept, is facing the canal St-Martin (incredible in summer), propose gigs with famous artist (such as Cunninlinguist), an art gallery and a restaurant. Paris doesn't lack interesting place to go, and even if cooperation between nightlife actors exist, it is essentially about social mixing, and how parisians lack of endeavor and courage to meet the unknown.
But lets be fair, Paris is also about intimacy and it is hard not to feel at home when pacing the city. On that occasion I would recommend to be in Paris every 21st of June, probably the best night in the whole year.
Across the channel, London is a very liberal megalopolis, its economic boom urged a huge demand, offering a vast array of services. A rich landscape is built, made off a bunch of brands and lifestyle you can find back in roughly all areas. Everything follows the mainstream, few is allowed for alternative (though a lot can be found if looked properly).
Globalized trends, plurality of choices, quantity and sometime quality, what is shown doesn't not entirely reflect what is actually available, too little space is made for what is less profitable.
Culture is great if diversified, and opened to everyone, London doesn't show everything, but open its doors to the most (even if it a matter of profit). The result is much more impressive: a real conviviality, easing relationship, and good heart.
Shall we wait for summer?
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