Live Music entertainment in France
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Cithéa Nova
Beefing up the kitchen (it does all meals and brunch at the weekend from 11am to 4pm) and sticking ‘new’ at the end of your name doesn’t always work when times are hard, But these guys have done it and what was a pub-meets-concert-hall with quality bands is now a stylish resto-bar with same. Concerts usually run from 10.30pm, with DJs from 1am on Wednesday to Saturday.
reviewed
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B
Irish Times
A congenial and genuinely Irish pub that attracts a very international crowd. There's live music (including lots that's Irish) from about 21:30 to 00:30 on Friday and Saturday; Thursday may be karaoke night; and Sunday features a trivia quiz with prizes (21:00). Major sports events - shown on the two wide screens - often push Saturday and Sunday opening back to kick-off time.
reviewed
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C
Le Bougnat de Pouilles
A funky bar/wine bar that doubles as an art gallery. The ventilation system looks like it was inspired either by the Centre Pompidou or by an extremely limited budget - in any case the anti-décor seems to put people at ease. Attacks of the munchies can be overcome with plates of cold cuts or cheese. There's live music two or three times a month, often on Thursday from 21:00.
reviewed
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D
Furib'Arts
A jumble of second-hand objects strewn around the place (many for sale), changing art by local artists and a cellar that hosts local up-and-coming bands make for a refreshing change at this small arts-driven bar. Bio products - micro-brewery bottled beer, organic Coteaux du Lyonnais wine and fresh juice - served are equally refreshing.
reviewed
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E
Bistro Fait Sa Broc'
A hip lime-green and candyfloss-pink façade greets punters at this retro wine bar where no two chairs match and the furniture is constantly rearranged. Pick from floppy sofa seating or an eclectic sun umbrella-topped table. Bands occasionally play here and regional cheese, meat and other light snacks are served.
reviewed
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F
La Laiterie
Reggae, metal, punk, chanson, blues – Strasbourg's premier concert venue covers the entire musical spectrum and stages some 200 gigs a year. Tickets are available at the door and online. La Laiterie is just a five-minute walk (500m) south of Petite France along rue de Molsheim. Trams B and C stop close by.
reviewed
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Ninkasi Gerland
Spilling over with a fun, frenetic crowd, this microbrewery near the stadium is one of several Ninkasi establishments around town, each with their own entertainment programs, ranging from DJs and bands to film projections and more, and sustaining food like fish and chips and build-your-own burgers.
reviewed
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G
Bodega Bodega
Two floors of tapas, tunes and trendy types; this is the biggest and best Spanish bar in town. Mind your head on the giant hams hanging up above the bar when you order a drink. Downstairs is the boisterous bar area, while upstairs is more laidback. The food and drinks are good on either floor.
reviewed
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Le Tigre
Sprawling and laid-back, this bar-disco, about 1km east of the cathedral, has more wall textures than it does beers on tap (six). There's live music starting at 21:00 on Friday and Saturday (but not in July and August). At 23:00 from Thursday to Saturday Le Tigre becomes a disco.
reviewed
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Zanzibar
A laid-back bar in the heart of the Grande Île's student quarter. On most nights at 21:30 or 22:00, local groups (plus a few from abroad) play classics from the repertoires of garage trash, noisefuzz, sleaze punk, glam rock and psychobilly in the Dantesque cellar.
reviewed
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Pub Le Lolita
You'll need to look out for this place, which is squeezed between a café and a sandwich joint on the square's northern side. There's a great selection of tapas, with quality wines to help them down, and you may be lucky enough to hit a night of live guitar music.
reviewed
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J
Benta Ainhoa
Benta Ainhoa is run by two engaging young Basque couples. It serves tapas, prepared from fresh produce bought in daily, has a good selection of Corsican, Basque and Rioja wines and plays eclectic world music - everything from Irish jigs to South American Indian songs.
reviewed
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K
La Salamandre
Billed as a bar-club-spectacles, this discotheque - warmly lit, friendly and with a marble fountain in the middle - has theme nights each Friday (salsa, 1980s etc). Wednesday and Thursday events are often sponsored by student groups (open to all).
reviewed
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La Fourmi
The best place in town for musos, with breaking acts, alternative bands and theatrical spectacles in a twin-floored warehouse-style space. It's about 1km out of town, but worth the trek. Opening times vary so check the website for what's on when.
reviewed
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Connemara
Popular with both locals and expats, this lively Irish bar gets absolutely packed during major sporting events. Get there early to bag a seat in front of the big screen. There's also darts, pool and regular live music as well as pub food.
reviewed
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Café Pop
For a postmodern vibe and cool French tunes, pop into Café Pop or Café Populaire as it's formally known. They serve good food and drinks till the evening when the tables are cleared and moved to make a lively dance floor.
reviewed
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Le Son des Guitares
Le Son des Guitares puts on local guitar soloists and ensembles. Admission is free and drinks ('renouvables tous les 45 minutes' - fresh purchase required every 45 minutes - says the churlish sign) cost around €5.
reviewed
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La Camargue
About 2.7km from town heading towards Île Rousse and just before the airport turnoff, La Camargue has a pool, piano-bar and open-air dance floor. In high summer there's a free shuttle bus from town.
reviewed
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O
Pickwick's Pub & Wine Bar
A convincingly English-style pub with leather armchairs, an open fireplace and lots of whiskies behind the counter. Serves nine fine wines by the glass. There's live music two Saturdays a month.
reviewed
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Le Transbordeur
In an old industrial building, Lyon's prime concert venue draws international acts on the European concert-tour circuit. Take bus 59 from metro Part-Dieu to the Cité Inter Transbordeur stop.
reviewed
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Bar Sextius
With live music and DJs playing house, reggae and raga, depending on the night, Bar Sextius is le local gathering spot - ask the in-the-know crowd here about Aix's latest in-spots.
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L'Artichaut
The 'artichoke' is the city's quirkiest arts and culture café, hosting free exhibitions, first-rate jazz concerts and jam sessions. The line-up is posted on the door and on the website.
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Le Cargö
At the far end of the pleasure port, this scène de musique actuelle (venue for contemporary music) presents cutting-edge local bands as well as more-established groups.
reviewed
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Le Bateau Ivre
A longstanding live venue with a varied program of concerts (French chansons, blues, rock reggae etc) except on Thursday, when anyone can join in the jam session.
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La Boca Loca
La Boca Loca is a small grungy cave-like place with a strong Spanish flavour that stays open late. Its cocktails, tapas and live music (most evenings) are the main draw.
reviewed
