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Lyon Nightlife

Introduction

Nightlife and Eating & Drinking

Eating out in Lyon is a real treat. The city is famed for having some of the best ingredients and restaurants around, catering to a variety of different budgets. Poultry and cooked meats are among the most popular offerings, leaving the vegetarian visitor with a small selection of options from which to choose. Wine is also a big deal in the region, with Côtes du Rhône and Beaujolais two of the most famous specialities.

Bouchons are a very popular form of restaurant in Lyon. These small, intimate affairs offer a good range of decently priced, local dishes, with items such as white cheese and herbs, tripe and an assortment of interesting salads the general fare on offer. Of the many around, perhaps the best are based around the Hotel de Ville. Try Café des Fédérations on rue du Major Martin, Bouchon des Carnivores on rue des Marronniers or Le Garet which is close to the opera house. Booking ahead at all establishments is a good idea.

Slightly more expensive, but offering superb traditional cuisine is Le Layon, which is based in the centre of the Old Town. The place has a fine terrace if the weather is favorable and the grenouille (frogs) are some of the best around.

For those with the cash to spare, try the swanky Grand Café des Négociants on place Francisque Régaud or the renowned Paul Bocuse restaurant, slightly to the north of the city in Collonges-au-mont-d'Or, which does a superb lobster.

The city has a number of good nightlife locations in Lyon, although many claim that for a city of its size, there should be more. Place des Terreaux and the climb up the hill towards the Croix Rousse are among the main areas to try.

One of the most intriguing places in which to have a cocktail or two is the Bus Café on quai Général Serrail, which is based in an old bus terminus. There is normally a DJ playing house music.

Another fun place to go is the KGB bar on rue des Bons Enfants. This Russian-themed establishment is home to a vodka bar and has an eatery as well.

Those on the gay scene will want to check out the many locations in the Old Town, with La Ruche on rue Gentil probably the busiest of the bars.

There are plenty of live music joints, with something for most tastes. The Becs de Jazz is a good club, although it is normally only open late on weekends.

For reggae fans and those after some African beats, try the Phoebus pub on rue Pouteau.

If French accordion music is you thing, head to L'Abreuvoir on rue de St Catherine.

Down at the quai Albert Augagneur, a number of boats serve as floating nightclubs. Take your pick from many different genres, although Fish is probably one of the liveliest joints, catering to a techno and house crowd.