PAN: we tested the virtual shooting bar in Paris's 10th arrondissement

Have you always wanted to play the cowboy? Want to find out if you can shoot faster than the speed of light like Lucky Luke? Then head for PAN, the capital's first virtual shooting bar offering a rifle-shooting experience where visitors (aged 16 and over), equipped with authentic weapons (but not loaded, rest assured, it's all digital...), can test their accuracy and speed in semi-privatised lounges.

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• This week in Paris from April 21 to 27, 2025: free or affordable outings

The concept is based on eight distinct universes, including scenarios inspired by Ball-Trap and the Far West. Shooting enthusiasts will be able to take aim at moving or static targets, according to the different themes on offer. The Ball-Trap principle, for example, challenges participants to hit moving clay trays, while the Far West -inspired settings reproduce classic scenes with glass bottles and other traditional elements.

The interior design was entrusted to the architectural firm Razzle Dazzle, known for its work at the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle and Galeries Lafayette. On the restaurant side, the menu was devised by chef Alexandre Lucas, featuring dishes such as truffle stracciatella and wasabi swordfish toast. " We're delighted to be launching the very first shooting bar in Paris, an innovative concept that combines the adrenalin of shooting with the conviviality of a bar," explains David Musset, president of PAN (and incidentally the creator of Hint Hunt escape games).

But be warned: PAN is not for everyone. The experience is forbidden to under-16s, for obvious reasons, but also because the weapons are heavy. So, if you're curious or already a keen sports shooter, give it a try.

Our PAN review:

So, what is PAN, the capital's very first gun bar, worth? At first glance, before our visit, we were rather skeptical: a shooting bar, even a leisure one, at a time when the world is ablaze with shootings, current events and all that? Not necessarily the best concept to launch at the moment. Except that we've never been so wrong about the subject (that'll teach us, too, to have preconceived ideas...).

A truly successful concept, then, starting with a chic but sober decor, quite neutral in the final analysis, and soothing... Quite the opposite of the rifle shooting exercise. A nice contrast. As for the bar, it's also a nice surprise: you can just as easily come in for a drink as reserve a booth and try your hand at rifle shooting, and the menu, simple enough at first glance, is quite hard-hitting and surgically accurate.

So, it's not the Ritz either... But for a bar, it's rather premium in terms of quality. The price goes with it too... count on 21 euros for the 500g breaded Livarot (any cheese lovers around here?), 12 euros for the stracciatella, 14 euros for the trio of mini-burgers or even 8 euros for the guacamole. It stings a little.

On the drinks side, the cocktails are good. We particularly appreciated theEspresso Martini, made according to the rules of the art, or the nice selection of beers from L.B.F.. A sure bet... And if you'd like to try a bottle of Champagne, that's also possible (we didn't), but you'll have to put your credit card to the test.

As for the rifle shooting, the exercise is really interesting and imagined in such a way that it never becomes voyeuristic or expresses any kind of violence. It's all in good fun, shooting at bottles or trays propelled into the air (real ball-trap, we tell you!) and several mini-games are proposed to vary the exercise and avoid settling into a routine.

But be warned: this is a real weapon, albeit modified to fire digitally, but a real weapon nonetheless, and not a light one! You'll need to do some dumbbells beforehand, and build up your biceps... Please also note that you never fire digitally at living creatures. No animals, no humans, no zombies, etc. This is no insignificant choice on the part of the company, and shows just how serious the concept is.

In the end, as far as we're concerned, we had a great time, very convivial and a lot of fun (two games against other media, and of course first place in both games...). And that's all that matters! All that's left is for you to make up your own mind.

With this opening, PAN introduces a new type of leisure activity to Paris. It's an opportunity to discover shooting from a different angle than that of films or sports shooting during the Olympic Games.

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, please drink responsibly.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please mention it in the comments.

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