Where's the Best Nightlife in Nice? Discover the Côte d'Azur with ibis

When you're looking for the best nightlife in Nice, you'll find venues that offer something for everyone, from lively pubs and chilled cocktail bars to beachfront clubs and terrace lounges. You might even stumble across a lesser-known local favourite that you'll remember forever. It's worth noting that the port area, Promenade des Anglais and the old town of Vieux Nice – especially along Cours Saleya – are the best areas for nightlife in Nice. Here's our guide to the most popular party spots in the South of France.

One of the great things about Beau Rivage Beach is that it has something for everyone. The free public section of the beach on the Promenade des Anglais in the city centre is ideal for sunny days during budget-friendly holidays in Nice. The Plage Beau Rivage restaurant and beach club next door is a great venue for enjoying the sunset. This swanky but affordable lounge invites you to stay on the beach until after dark with a cool cocktail in hand.

At the foot of the castle in the shade of palm trees along Promenade des Anglais, Castel Plage is an Art Deco beach club adorned with paintings and sculptures. Stop by for an aperol spritz or mojito, or rent a lounger for the day. This centrally located beach club is open until midnight, making it a great place to experience the nightlife in Nice while enjoying the coastal atmosphere and the sound of lapping waves.

Castel Plage

• Address: 8 Quai des États-Unis, 06300 Nice

• Opening: Daily (seasonal, approx. April/May–October)

• Hours: Beach: 9am–6pm; Restaurant: 12pm–4pm & 7:30pm–9:30pm

• Area: Promenade des Anglais

Even if you don't spend the day at a beach club, the nightlife in Nice brings plenty of opportunities to sip refreshing cocktails at sunset. Swap the joie de vivre of the French Riviera for the allure of Latin America at La Havane, where guests enjoy piquant cocktails, tapas and salsa music in the vibrant bar or on the terrace. You'll find this bar on the central Rue de France surrounded by international restaurants.

Daily DJ sets set the tone at Waka Bar, a popular sunset spot between the public sections of Ponchettes Beach and Castel Beach. Simply stroll in for a classic cocktail after a day exploring the delightful Côte d'Azur. The American and Mexican dishes on the menu are budget-friendly, too.

Just steps from Waka Bar, Movida is a late-night venue with funky murals and a festive atmosphere. Negronis, mojitos and sangria feature heavily on the drinks menu, and you can also drop in for a coffee during the day. Panoramic sea views from the balcony match those from any of the rooftop bars in Nice.

If you end up staying at Waka Bar or Movida until around midnight, it's good to know that the trams run late and can take you back to your budget hotel in Nice. The ibis Nice Centre Gare, for example, is an affordable hotel in the city centre. It has an outdoor pool and terrace where you can shake off your night out the following morning. If you take a taxi back to the hotel, ask the driver to use the meter to ensure your fare is correct. If you've been partying at La Havane, it's only a 10-minute walk back to the hotel.

Waka Bar

• Address: 57 Quai des États-Unis, 06300 Nice

• Opening: Daily

• Hours: 10am–2am

• Area: Promenade des Anglais

If you're looking for live rock music and a British pub atmosphere, Wayne's Bar is a fun and affordable night out in Nice. Bands set up on a small stage in a corner of this energetic bar with its thick wood beams and walls filled with music-related memorabilia. Between gigs, you can watch football and rugby on TV or get some fresh air on the terrace overlooking the famous narrow streets of the old town. A reasonably priced menu of comfort food like burgers and fish & chips is another big draw.

If you prefer a similar pub vibe but with Irish music, check out Ma Nolan's. There are two venues – one in the old town and another in the port area – both of which have terraces where you can soak up the atmosphere of a warm Côte d'Azur evening.

A few minutes' walk from Wayne's, you can experience diverse live music at Le Shapko. With talented performers playing jazz, Latin music and more, you will enjoy evenings of funk and soul. Entry is free on Tuesdays, helping you make the most of your budget holiday in Nice. Soft lighting, deep-red tones and chandeliers create an inviting ambience and make this one of the top spots in Nice for live music and unforgettable evenings with friends.

Close to the main train station and just steps from ibis Nice Centre Notre-Dame, La Cave Romagnan is a true hidden gem of nightlife in Nice. In the shadow of the Notre-Dame de Nice basilica, nights at this cosy jazz club feel like a private party in a friend's living room. Along with jazz concerts, the bar also hosts cultural events including art evenings and slam poetry recitals.

Le Shapko

• Address: 5 Rue Rossetti, 06300 Nice

• Opening: Daily

• Hours: Mon–Wed 10pm–5:30am; Thu–Sat 8pm–5:30am; Sun 8pm–4:30am

• Area: Old Town (Vieux Nice)

There are plenty of hidden gems in Nice to be discovered if you know where to look. One of the most captivating is so unique that you're unlikely to find anything like it anywhere else. Indeed, it's so exclusive that it only opens for short periods each year, usually just a few Saturday evenings in July and August. Le Béthel is accessed through the ornate Church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur. The décor in this tucked-away treasure is more 'monastery' than 'cathedral', with its stone walls, simple wooden furniture and candles dripping with wax. Offbeat decorative objects and colourful lights in the courtyard add eclectic touches. Sip coffee or wine until 11pm with the help of volunteer staff – the bar was originally conceived to raise funds for the church.

As its name suggests, Zitto Speakeasy in the port area also has a secretive vibe. You'll have to search the website or Instagram to find the entrance but, once inside, you'll find an inviting atmosphere where skilled bartenders mix signature cocktails. There are regular mixology workshops where you can learn their techniques, as well as discovering more about local produce and the history of certain cocktails.

Craving craft beer in Nice? Stop by Les Distilleries Idéales, one of the coolest bars in Nice, where the beers pair perfectly with local charcuterie. Even though this joint is in the heart of the old town, you're likely to find locals enjoying its range of beers. In fact, you'll get the impression of being well off the beaten track even though you're still in the centre of Nice. The terrace at this 1930s' bar, with its red awning and secluded spot on a narrow side street, has a classic feel, but the frescoes on the walls of the indoor bar give the place an appearance all of its own.

Alternatively, for a taste of the nightlife in Nice, head to FOAM in the heart of the port area, where you can enjoy craft beer with a view of the harbour.

Les Distilleries Idéales

• Address: 24 Rue de la Préfecture, 06300 Nice

• Opening: Daily

• Hours: 9 am–12:30 am; Happy Hour 6 pm–8 pm

• Area: Old Town (Vieux Nice)

Loud and boisterous, High Club has everything you might hope for from a nightclub in Nice. There's plenty of space on the dancefloor, and international DJs – including some of the biggest names on the scene – will have you moving to the groove. With a predominantly younger crowd, the vibe is trendy and energetic. The cavernous spaces soon fill up, making the dancefloor pop. Expect to pay higher prices for drinks in clubs of this nature, so, if you're on a budget trip to Nice, this might have to be a one-off treat.

The slogan at Bull Dog Pompeii is 'Every night is Saturday night', and the atmosphere buzzes with excitement, especially in summer. The club has a grungy rock-bar vibe but it's definitely geared towards dancing than slowly swaying to a band. It doesn't open until 11pm so it certainly feels more like a nightclub than a bar. Bull Dog Pompeii opened in 1984 and has been a stalwart of the old town ever since. If you're into lively clubs, it's a must-visit watering hole on your nightlife in Nice itinerary.

Going clubbing in the port area? Spend a few beat-filled hours at Nuits Blanches, a nightclub for guests aged 25 and over that prides itself on its high-class atmosphere. While the entry fee is not prohibitive, it might be considered a splurge during a budget holiday in Nice. Dress your best, too, as the bouncers can sometimes be picky. 

The hotel ibis Styles Nice Vieux-Port is less than 10 minutes' walk from Nuits Blanches, so you'll soon be back in your room where the décor is as stylish as the club. The bar in our design-led budget hotel could even be a starting point for reasonably priced drinks before you head out for a night on the town. While most of the bars stay open until midnight or a little later at the weekends, the nightclubs often don't shut until 5am. If you're heading out of town, make sure you have a designated driver or a solid plan for returning to your hotel at the end of the night.

High Club

• Address: 45 Promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice

• Opening: Thu–Sat 

• Hours: Midnight–7am

• Area: Promenade des Anglais