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Cannes Nightlife | Cannes Bars and Nightlife |
 They say that the 70,000-odd population of Cannes, on the Cote d’Azur, can triple during the International Film Festival in May. For many, Cannes is synonymous with the glamorous film industry; in actual fact Cannes comes second only to Paris for business tourism in France. The Palais des Festivals plays host to international conferences/exhibitions and music events practically every month (in fact tourists only outnumber business travellers in the peak summer season). Consequently, for a relatively small town "easily covered by foot, Cannes offers an extensive choice of nightlife for anyone looking for ‘a good time though hardly an inexpensive one. Some might say the Cannes prices tend to yoyo depending on who might happen to be in town at the time…but then would you expect anywhere in the South of France to be cheap? It’s a long way away from the small fishing town that used to be owned by monks back in the 11th century (they now tend to stick to the island of St Honorat).
Most of the action in Cannes takes place along or just behind La Croisette, extending from the Hotel Martinez in the East to the Majestic, then on past the Palais, which overlooks the Vieux Port, around the quai Saint-Pierre to the Sofitel, then back and up into Le Suquet area - the old town. It’s worth climbing up the hill here for the views from the lookout post and there is a great choice of restaurants in this area. Like all cities, restaurants in Cannes can be excellent, ok or mediocre. Fish, naturally, is a good choice but I’ve known several people suffer shellfish poisoning over the years so proceed with caution. Recommended eating places, in no particular order (or price level), are La Pizza and Gaston et Gastounette in quai Saint-Pierre, Le Caveau 30 in rue Felix Faure (the best French onion soup), Café Roma on square Merimee opposite the Palais, Jade in rue Pasteur (authentic Vietnamese), and La Festival on la Croisette which is fabulously good at catering for big noisy crowds eating and/or drinking and/or singing! |
 The casino is an important element of Cannes night life with the Carlton Casino Club found at the hotel of the same name and the Casino Croisette Club situated inside the Palais "along with one of the better frequented nightclubs: Jimmy’z. Casinos generally stay open til around 4am, and discos/nightclubs will keep going til 5am depending on the time of year. There are several to choose from, including Jane’s Club at the Hotel Gray d’Albion and Le Cat Corner, but no visit to Cannes is complete without a visit to La Chunga in rule Latour-Maubourg, just off La Croisette. A favourite haunt with businessmen, La Chunga bar is ridiculously small and gets totally packed but the live music and atmosphere - can be excellent. You either love it or hate it.
Many of the restaurants in Cannes double as bars and clubs and will stay open til 2am or beyond (depending on how many of you are still there and how friendly the staff are feeling!). A favourite with visitors and locals is Farfalla which has one of the best addresses in Cannes (la Croisette 1) and 72 bar and brasserie further up the road. |
 For bars you can’t beat Morrisons Irish bar in rue Tesseire, where owner Rob has recently opened a new lounge bar next door. The entire décor is brought in from Ireland and with its great choice of beer, drinks and regular live music, it’s a magnet for the young (and not so young). Le Zanzibar, in rue Felix Faure, is Cannes’ oldest gay bar, and (I’m reliably informed) still one of the most popular, while gays and straights meet at Disco Le Sept in rue Rouguiere best known for its transvestite show.
And, if the price of the drinks really doesn’t matter too much, then Le Petite bar at The Carlton run for as long as I can remember by the oh so patient Patrice - is a cosy, intimate place for a late night drink.
The problem, always, is that when you stagger out of a club at 3.30am you’re always starving and everywhere serving food is shut…well almost. Last year I discovered a small friendly café/bar that, yes, really is open all hours serving snacks. Now you’re going to hate me because for the life of me I can’t remember its name, but it’s close to Morrisons, behind the Noga Hilton, I believe in the rue de Bateguier (where, by the way there are some other good bars and restaurants to try including the new trendy lounge bar Le Must). I’ll be back there in October, so check back for the name! |
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