Marseille
Marseille’s creative chameleon and the heart of the cours Julien scene, Waaw ('What an Amazing World') has everything you could possibly want for a night…
Must-see nightlife in Provence & the Côte d'Azur
Nice
Kitties rule the roost at this one-of-a-kind cafe, an absolute must for cat-lovers. Five free-range felines roam about the tables, seeking the right lap…
Nice
The focus at this classy wine shop–bar is organic wines – a few are sold by the glass, but the best selection is available by the bottle, served with…
Nice
One of Nice's coolest new nightspots, Beer District pours a regularly rotating line-up of 16 draught microbrews and 50 bottled beers from all over the…
Cannes
A cosy little spot for a glass or two of a local vintage – the wine list here is great, with hand-picked choices from local domaines including Côtes de…
St-Tropez
Sartre wrote parts of Les Chemins de la Liberté (Roads to Freedom) at this portside cafe – in business since 1887 – which is popular with boaties, bikers…
St-Tropez
The star-studded bar at the infamous Hôtel Byblos remains the perennial champion of nightclubs in St-Tropez, if not the whole Riviera. Dress to impress if…
Nice
Way back before Le Port-Garibaldi became so trendy, Rosalina was the neighbourhood's nightlife pioneer. A decade later, it's still an inviting, friendly…
Marseille
On the 1st floor of Hôtel Bellevue, this lovely little bar is styled with rich wood and leather, with a zinc bar and yellowing murals that hint of its…
Nice
The most atmospheric spot for a tipple in the old town, whether you’re after one of the many beers on tap or a local wine by the glass. Brick-lined and…
Cassis
Close to central Cassis, with a regularly open cellar door and a viticultural pedigree stretching back to the 1800s, this seaward-facing winery is a good…
Nice
Footsteps from cours Saleya, this hip tapas bar (strapline: ‘In Sangria We Trust’) struts its vintage stuff on the ground floor of a quintessential Niçois…
Nice
No place in Vieux Nice offers better people-watching than the beach-facing tables on La Movida's streetside deck and upstairs terrace. Snag one in time…
Marseille
Regular DJs bring reggae, soul, funk, rock and much else besides to this friendly, bustling hang-out on place Notre Dame du Mont. Craft beers, cocktails…
Marseille
Happy to host anything that will get feet shuffling, U.percut puts on killer jazz bands, crooning soul stars, hip hop maestros and late-night breakbeat…
Marseille
Located in the bohemian neighborhood of La Plaine, Baby Club offers the perfect atmosphere for an abandoned after-hours party. Look for its garish zebra…
Marseille
Together, Le Rooftop – a spectacular open-air cocktail bar with rotating DJs playing house, electro, disco and rock – and Reverso – the restaurant space…
Nice
The concept is simple and the results agreeable at this recently opened wine bar. The extensive wine list skews heavily towards the top-quality rosés for…
Aix-en-Provence
Cézanne and Zola once lingered in this classic brasserie-cafe, named for the eponymous two waiters who bought it from their former employer in 1880, and…
Nice
Young freelancers are the focus at this recently opened 'coworking' space at the edge of place Garibaldi, but the general public is also welcome at the…
Marseille
A local favourite with parasol-shaded table and chairs at the lion-statue end of cours Honoré d’Estienne d’Orves, this bistrot-bar rocks. In summer live…
Cannes
Only open in May during the film festival and again in July and August, this club is a hot ticket in DJ land. Bringing together some of the most happening…
Nice
A young, hip crowd gravitates to this strategically placed bar at the corner of place Garibaldi and rue Bonaparte – the very epicentre of Petit Marais…
Cassis
This cosy cave à vin (wine cellar) offers a long wooden bar, red leather armchairs, vintage posters on the walls and a knowledgeable and affable owner –…
Marseille
This fabulously convivial wine bar is named after the alcohol that evaporates through a barrel during wine or whisky fermentation: the 'angels’ share'…
Cannes
This is Cannes’ coolest, trendiest and most selective nightspot – so selective, in fact, that your entire posse might not get in unless you’re dressed to…
Avignon
Keen to mingle with Avignon students? Make a beeline for this salon au lait ('milk bar') where super-thick ice-cream shakes (€4.50) are slurped through…
Marseille
Le Montmartre is beautifully situated on a charming, small square with glimpses of the Vieux Port. Among several cafes here, this one perhaps best…
Nice
Panoramic 360-degree views of Nice are the big draw at the Hôtel Monsigny's rooftop bar. Glasses of rosé, mojitos and fresh fruit smoothies all go down…
Cannes
The al fresco cafe of Italian fashion design house Armani is predictably chic, stylish and full of panache. Sit beneath taupe parasols in a prettily…
Cannes
The bar of Le Grand Hôtel is a great place for a couple of quiet drinks. The lounge is a cosy space (there is a pianist most nights) but it’s the garden…
Nice
Taste some of southern France's most interesting beers at this neighbourhood microbrewery, which opens to the public a few hours per week. Don't miss the…
Arles
Immortalised in Van Gogh's 1888 Terrasse du Café le Soir, this cafe trades on its plum spot on the place du Forum and its association with the adopted…
Côte d'Azur
The longest-running Pampelonne beach club dates to the 1950s and was originally the crew canteen during the filming of And God Created Woman. Now it…
Nice
A more chilled retreat than many of the pubs in the old town, especially if you can bag one of the prime tables in the eponymous cellar. Weekly open mics,…
Cannes
This dazzling white lounge bar on the ground floor of the Marriott hotel is possibly the most beautiful on the Croisette, with designer sofas facing out…
Avignon
It's a sunny evening and your inner beer nerd is in the market for a dry rye, hoppy IPA or boozy Belgian wheat beer. Well you're in luck: this groovy…
Nice
Once a lighting factory (check out the light-bulb collection inside), now a hip-and-happening Port Lympia bar with slouchy sofas, industrial-chic decor,…
Avignon
This relaxed spot makes a great place for an early-evening aperitif, rolling into a no-fuss dinner of steak, tapas, salads and the like. The booth seats…
Antibes
Flirt with the green fairy in this convivial cellar, with original 1860 zinc bar, a few round tables and all the accessories (four-tapped water fountain,…
