CLUBS > Block Party @ Le Globo

La Coupe à Paris ! PSG-OM : 2-1 (1-0)

La finale, le classico, le match, le derby… Paris a gagné tout cela est bien plus encore. Un match parfaitement maîtrisé par des Parisiens qui ont mené les débats dès la 8e minute grâce à Kalou. Avec cette victoire ô combien symbolique, Paris vient de décrocher sa place pour la Coupe UEFA.

HOTELS > Kube Hotel & Bar

NYTIMES.COM: Operated by the same group that gave Paris the very white, Stanley Kubrick-esque Murano in 2004, the 41-room Kube, which opened in November, is another playful retro-futuristic package. A large transparent cube in the courtyard of the building, a stony 19th-century edifice, immediately recalls I. M. Pei's pyramids at the Louvre. (It houses the hotel's reception desk.) Just beyond, the building hides a low-lit universe of geometric interiors, faux-fur surfaces, electronic gadgets and furnishings by brand-name designers — as well as France's first ice bar. Is that Barbarella in the corner?

THE LOCATION

The Kube boldly goes where no Parisian luxury boutique hotel has gone before: a remote, rough-edged section of the 18th arrondissement that's known for cheap Indian and Turkish restaurants. By pioneering this other-side-of-the-tracks location, the Kube effectively throws a litchi martini in the face of its upmarket rivals, which have generally clustered in the environs of the Champs-Élysées.

THE SCENE

Welcome to shag central. Dark and outfitted with furry black sofas, furry black columns, black mirrors and hanging spaghetti-like strands of red light, the multipurpose lobby-restaurant-bar has the pleasingly decadent feel of a sci-fi bordello. A Tuesday evening in February found it surprisingly happening. As a D.J. spun house music and plasma-screen TV's flickered with computer-generated images, a diverse crowd that included many unshaven guys in sport coats and Pumas and their dates sipped Champagne and munched tapas-like "aperifood."

On the mezzanine level, hanging rows of Aarnio Eero's transparent plastic bubble chairs accommodated people waiting for 30-minute shifts in the Ice Cube. Sponsored by Grey Goose vodka, the chamber, constructed of 22 tons of ice, serves colorful vodka drinks in bored-out ice blocks. Arctic wear included. (Admission is 38 euros, or $47.50 at $1.25 to the euro, which includes drinks; reservation required.)

THE ROOMS

The very angular, very white interiors are splashed with strawberry-hued desks, mint green side tables, gumdrop purple gelatinous throw pillows and other confectionary colors. Technophiles will enjoy the fingerprint scan that opens the door, as well as the Internet-equipped Sony Vaio computer serving triple duty as a flat-screen TV and CD/DVD player. (The hotel has no CD or DVD library yet.) Even the drinks have designer credibility: the minibar stocks Kronenbourg beer in bottles designed by Philippe Stark (7 euros).

THE BATHROOMS

You should get frequent-flier miles for using the toilets, which are crushed into gray windowless closets like those of an airplane. More accommodating are the deep Starck bathtubs.

AMENITIES

As befits this high-tech property, the exercise machines in the hotel's smallish fitness center have individual TV's, and the two meeting rooms are equipped with lots of audio-visual equipment.

ROOM SERVICE

The offerings, available 24 hours, are surprisingly old-school. Only 10 items were available on a recent visit. They included a cheese plate (15 euros), an assortment of cold meats (15 euros) and a serving of 12 oysters (12 euros).

THE BOTTOM LINE

Already a cult address among the Parisian in-crowd, the Kube is fun, funky and comfortable. Because of its distance from Paris's sightseeing and dining areas (which are accessible by Métro), the hotel is not geared toward first-time visitors wanting to be in the center of the action. Rather, this is a niche property seemingly aimed at those from the fashion-media-creative set who may want to explore a less-seen Paris.

Kube, 1-5, passage Ruelle, 18th Arrondissement, 33-1-42-05-20-00; www.kubehotel.com. Doubles from 250 euros ($312).

CLUBS > Le Baron @ Avenue Marceau

In its former incarnation, this hip, exclusive dance lounge was a famously expensive brothel. The new owners have kept the name and the decor: sexy red walls, tasseled lamps, and sweet 1920s-era tiles of frolicking nude ladies. However, previous inhabitants have been kicked out in favor of jet-set Europeans in shaggy-coiffed hair, Gucci-chic velvet blazers, and necessary evening shades, exuding cool as they sip their $20 martinis.

Taken over by graffiti artist Andre and partner Lionel, this former hooker bar has seen everyone from Bjork to Sofia Coppola come through its doors.

Upbeat bands play Sundays through Wednesdays, and even after 2 a.m. the dance floor is still packed with beautiful people on Monday nights. Unlike at the famous old club Les Bains Douche, at Le Baron there is finally an intimate replacement to boogie, this one with an equal ratio of men to women. [BONGORAMA TIP: Ask nicely for Samuel, the doorman, or have your hotel put you on the list. If you stay at a cool hotel [see list, ed.], that is.]

BARS & RESTAURANTS > Black Calvados @ Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie

Black Calvados is one the hippest restaurants in Paris. It is partly owned by former Soundgarden, current Audioslave lead singer Chris Cornell. The upstairs restaurant offers a 'new american' cuisine and a fashion/rocker/model clientele. The downstairs bar may be the coolest bar I've ever been to (and I've visited more than 1000 bars around the world!). Chrome and neon only, supercool music blasting from the speakers, you feel like you are in a Daft Punk video. There is no real entrance, just a black box outside, where you have to knock or wait for a doorman to peek out. It is a private club, so it is not easy to get in, however. [BONGORAMA TIP: Ask for Francois, the polio-stricken, gentle Paris schmoozer, be well-mannered, and he just might let you in. If Francois is not there, tell the doorman you know Nick and hope he is not there, unless you DO know him! Otherwise, send a formel request via e-mail, see link above.]

UPDATE: If you drive, they offer valet parking.

CLUBS > Le Milliardaire @ Rue Pierre Charron

Very chic, very elitist, very hard to get in. It is free however, and once you are inside, you will find stunning girls dancing on the tables, absolutely great disco music and expensive champagne constantly arriving on the tables with fireworks. [BONGORAMA TIP:Tell the doorman that you know Francois, who knows Nick, who owns Black Calvados - along with Alex de Batak and Chris Cornell of Soundgarden/Audioslave - and you will get in. But: remember to tuck your shirt in the pants. And no sweaters!]

SPORT > Paris Saint Germain @ Parc Des Prince