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?