Sometimes the Concierges at the hotels can work wonders.
15 yrs ago I went with my husband and his buddy (who had just broken up with his GF). We were staying at a 3 star hotel in the 8 ieme( just out of uni) and we asked the concierge to make the reservations for us. We had one of the best table in the front ( it was a surprise- didn't need to tip the usher and we didn't make any special request to the concierge).

Same thing at the Crazy Horse a couple of yrs later - this time we were in the 6th arrondissement and the hotel did everything for us ( no additional charges to get the best seats)