Several eastern Paris venues suddenly regain their authorisations

Bars, concert halls and clubs in eastern Paris have received a series of favourable administrative decisions this week after several months of tension with regulatory departments. Three venues had restrictions on their opening hours lifted, while two licence applications blocked since winter were finally approved. Operators welcome what they see as a return to a more pragmatic interpretation of the rules. Residents’ associations question the speed of some of the changes. The prefecture notes that each application is assessed individually and that no general instruction has been issued. Several managers nevertheless say it felt as though a barrier had been removed for everyone at almost the same time. Nightlife professionals in the affected neighbourhoods have greeted the news with relief. The coming weeks will show whether the easing is lasting or merely another administrative coincidence in a city where authorisations can sometimes change as quickly as the mood.