Nantes Nightlife, France

Nantes is the place where most of the party lovers go. The city becomes more active as the sun sets down.

The city is filled with nightspots where most of the city’s partygoers and tourists meet. Cafes and pubs line along the place du Pilori, Rue Kervegan, and the place du Bouffay. The teens and younger generations usually gather to party at Rue Scribe.

One of the most sought-after nightspot in Nantes is the Le Lieu Unique. This place holds venues for some presentations such as French plays and art exhibits. The bar was a former biscuit factory that was redesigned to become a place for artists and students. The entrance is free and the beers are very cheap, 2€ ($2.60) per mug. The visitors can dance the night away on the dimly-lit dance floor graced by music played by the DJ. The bar closes as early as 8 pm during Mondays and Sundays and it opens until 2 am from Tuesday to Thursday. Longer nightlife is possible every Friday and Saturday. They open at 11 am every day except Sunday when they are open from 3pm to 8 pm only.

Le Tie Break is a piano bar that offers live music and occasional concerts all in jazz moods, and a dance floor. For a taste of other live music such as blues and rock visit L’Univers Café and for disco and techno music visit Quai West. Both are open every night and may also offer jazz from time to time.

Balapapa is a dance club like a real cabaret. It is open for all generations and sexes. A mix of several music genres is played in this two-room disco house that charges only 14€ ($18) as entrance fee. Other disco clubs in Nantes include L’Evasion playing 1970’s hits, Le Royal Club Prive, and Wilton’s Club. All these have a uniform entrance charges ranging from 10-15€ ($13-20) and they are strictly observing proper dress codes.

The most famous place where most gays and lesbians go is Le Petit Marais. All are welcomed to this place to dance, drink, talk, and enjoy the night away. Le Temps d’Aimer and the L’Egout et les Couleurs also offer a gay-friendly place that only require a 10€ ($13) entrance fee.

The bars and disco pubs in Nantes are very active. The gays and lesbians can freely express their individuality in these places where they rule and where they can legally express and enjoy their identity.