How to party in French: nightlife lexicon
04-11-2024

How to party in French: nightlife lexicon

Partying in French

You're in a foreign country! You don't want to be stuck in your hotel all night, it's time to discover what the nightlife has to offer! Whether you want to have a drink with friends or go dancing, you'll need to know some useful vocabulary and phrases to be able to communicate with the staff and the people you meet.

Useful vocabulary for partying in French

Verbs

Donner une fête : to throw a party

Donner une soirée : to host a party

Aller à une fête : to go to a party

Faire la fête : to party

S’amuser : to have fun

Étre saoul : to be drunk

Fumer : to smoke

Fêter/célébrer : to celebrate

Passer la nuit dehors : to spend the night out

Aller boire un verre : to have a drink

The staff

Un/une capitaine de soirée (l’Ange) : a designated driver (angel)

Serveur/serveuse : bartender

Le conducteur de taxi : a taxi driver

Un videur : a bouncer

The places

un bar: a bar

Une boîte de nuit : a club

Une station de métro : subway station (US) / an underground station (UK)

The drinks

Une boisson : a drink

Une boisson sans alcool : non-alcoholic drink

Une pinte : a pint

Une demi pinte : half a pint

Bière blonde : light ale (UK) / Lager

Bière brune : brown ale (UK) / Stout (US)

The party

Une fête : a party

Une musique : music

Une tenue de soirée : an evening dress

Une soirée alcoolisée : a drinking party

La gueule de bois : a hangover

Une soirée mousse : a foam party

Un(e) fêtard(e) : a party animal

Partying in French in a few expressions

There are many ways to party and many places to go. You can go for a drink or go to a club. If you don't drink alcohol or want to avoid drinking too much, you can order non-alcoholic drinks.

Going out for a drink

Many times your evening will start in a bar, so here are some expressions you can use to communicate in a bar.

Tu veux venir avec nous prendre un verre ? → Do you want to come have a drink with us?

Bien sûr, allons boire un coup ! → Sure, let's have a drink!

C’est ma tournée ! → It's on me!

Est-ce que vous servez des boissons sans alcool? → Do you serve non-alcoholic drinks?

Je ne me sens pas bien / je suis bourré. → I don't feel well / I'm drunk.

Qui veut être notre capitaine de soirée, ce soir ? →Who wants to be our designated driver tonight?

Remember, to protect your life and the lives of your loved ones, drink responsibly! Designating an Angel or designated driver, who will not drink all night, can be a good way to protect yourself and others.

Going to the club

On va danser en boîte ? → Are we going clubbing ?

Je sors fumer une cigarette/clope, tu en veux une ? → I'm going out for a cigarette, do you want one ?

Oui, merci/ Non merci, j’ai arrêté de fumer. → Yes, thanks/ No thanks, I quit smoking.

Tu as du feu ? → Have you got a light ?

La musique est trop forte, je sors un instant. → The music is too loud, I'm going out for a second.

After the party

Once the party is over, it's time to go home. There are several ways to do this. Don't forget to wish your friends a good night if they decide to stay and party longer!

Je vais rentrer, amusez-vous bien ! → I'm going home, have fun!

On va prendre un taxi. → We're going to take a cab.

Rentrez bien, bonne soirée ! → Get home safe, good night!

Où est la station de métro la plus proche ? → Where is the nearest subway station / underground station?

Now you know the expressions for partying in French and are ready to have fun! What about the next night out? How about a restaurant to enjoy the local cuisine?

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