I'm an expat and I do speak enough french. However this bar is what proves the point if you don't have bartenders that don't speak adequate english, you might as well go back home with some beer and liquor and cruise apps to find something or someone.
The old bar was nice, the new bar lacks the character that the old one has. But the bartenders don't feel super nice and they certainly didn't make me feel welcome any time i have come or had any suggestions on how to integrate besides speak french.
The problem is with increasing tourism to these big cities native language speakers should be somewhat unsurprised in a large metropolitan area that people from outside the country come. There should be a sense of community despite the languages at times and the trying to be decent. Paris bars are welcoming, and they don't make you feel inadequate for your accent when you speak in French. This bar is one of the least favourite I have visited. I don't think this bar would hold up in Paris with the lack of conviviality in the bartenders and the lack of "bear family" in our supposed safe zone.
If you're not french speaking or have an accent this is not your bar. Otherwise take the earlier suggestion and get some other libations and go back to your hotel. I don't always feel like as a francophone I am treated fairly, with the same familiarity and the kinship of being with other LBGT people. I'm not any less valid and here I continuously feel the atmosphere is xenophobic. read more