Nightlife of Cannes

The focus of nightlife, as elsewhere on the Cote d’Azur, is the casino. The streets buzz at night, particularly around La Croisette, along la rue du Dr Monod and la rue Saint Antoine in Le Suquet, except for the rare occasions when it rains. Many restaurants double up as bars and clubs, as the night draws on.

On the whole, the Cannois like to dress up to go out. But visitors will feel at ease in anything from jeans to eveningwear, depending on the venue. Restaurant-bars serve drinks until about 0200, casinos remain open until about 0400 and discos and nightclubs until 0400 or 0500. Many bars have a happy hour 1800-1900. The legal drinking age in France is 16 years. While the standard price for a drink is aorund €3, prices tend to rise dramatically during high tourist season and key festivals.

Entertainment listings and information is available online and in Le Mois a Cannes, a monthly listings magazine published in French, available at the Cannes Tourist Office. However, for all its excitement, Cannes is a small town and long-term residents and revellers are often tempted to make the trip to Nice.

Bars: The popular Loft bar, 13 rue du Dr Monod, above a Chinese restaurant, is ideal for a relaxing drink. Another cosy little bar is Les Coulisses, 29 rue Commandant Andre, which plays black American music. Why Not?, 8 rue des Freres Pradignac, just a stone’s throw from La Croisette, can be relied upon for playing the latest pop tunes to a lively crowd. Le Legend Cafe, 9 rue d’Oran, plays chilled music in the early evening, before progressing to techno from 2300 onwards. Morrison’s, 10 rue Teisseire, with its entire decor imported from Ireland, acts as a magnet to Cannes’ youthful foreign crowd. There are plenty of reasons to join them - not least the wide choice of beer and drinks. Le Zanzibar, rue Felix Faure, is Cannes’ oldest gay bar. For romantic nights, head for seaside La Fregate, boulevard Jean Hibert, to watch the sun slowly rise - this restaurant-bar is open 24-hours.

Casinos: The Carlton Casino Club is located on the seventh floor of the smart Hotel Carlton, 58 La Croisette. The Casino Croisette Club is situated inside the Palais des Festivals. Gaming at both venues is restricted to those over 18 years and French law requires the presentation of an identity card (EU nationals) or passport at all casinos. Casual dress is accepted for the slot machines, however, formal attire is required to gain access to the gambling rooms.

Clubs: Le Cat Corner, 22 rue Mace, is one of the trendiest and most happening clubs in Cannes. Jane’s Club, Hotel Gray d’Albion, 38 rue de Serbes, has themed evenings on Fridays and disco nights on Sundays. Le Jimmy’s, at the Casino Croisette, has a bar, a thumping dancefloor and a large terrace for an older crowd. Gays and straights converge at Disco 7, 7 rue Rouguiere, known for its techno music, transvestite show and party atmosphere.

Live music: Within the palatial hotels on La Croisette, there are many piano bars, such as Le Bar des Celebrites, Hotel Carlton, 58 La Croisette, and the wonderful L’Amiral, Hotel Martinez, 73, La Croisette. Or you could try Brumel’s Piano Bar, 3 boulevard de la Republique, as an alternative. Irish pubs are particularly good for live music, including Morrison’s, 10 rue Teisseire. Salsa and Latino groups play at restaurant-bar El Caliente, 84 boulevard del la Croisette, also excellent for Cuban cocktails and spicy meals.