Marseille travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Marseille offers harbour bars and jazz on the Vieux-Port, concerts and cocktails around Cours Julien, a rooftop club above the Joliette mall and a stone-vaulted waterfront nightclub.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Quai de Rive Neuve (Vieux-Port, south quay)
The south quay of the Vieux-Port has the historic Bar de la Marine and Le Trolleybus, plus terraces facing the boats.
Best for: Late-night dancing, harbour-view drinks
Cours Julien and La Plaine
Espace Julien, Le Molotov, Le Makeda and Livingston sit within a few minutes of each other, with CopperBay on Boulevard Notre-Dame.
Best for: Live music, craft cocktails, natural wine
Quai du Port and Le Panier
The north quay has La Caravelle with its harbour balcony and live jazz, and the terraces of Le Panier's lanes behind it.
Best for: Aperitif, jazz, sunset terraces
La Friche la Belle de Mai
The former tobacco factory holds Cabaret Aleatoire and a rooftop used for summer DJ sessions.
Best for: Electronic music, rooftop evenings
Joliette and Les Terrasses du Port
Le Rooftop des Terrasses runs open-air nights above the mall in season.
Best for: Sunset DJ nights with harbour views
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
La Caravelle
Known for: Mezzanine bar on the harbour with live jazz and concerts
34 Quai du Port, 13002 Marseille
Bar de la Marine
Known for: Historic 1929 harbour bar linked to Marcel Pagnol's Marius
12 Quai de Rive Neuve, 13007 Marseille
Carry Nation
Known for: Reservation-only Prohibition-style speakeasy, about 40 seats, 300+ rums and whiskies, cocktails about €13-16 (~$14.95-18.40)
6 Rue Jules Moulet, 13006 Marseille
CopperBay
Known for: Marine-themed cocktail bar about 600 m from the Vieux-Port
36 Boulevard Notre-Dame, 13006 Marseille
Livingston
Known for: Natural-wine and orange-wine bistro with vinyl listening and small plates
5 Rue Crudere, 13006 Marseille
Toit-terrasse de la Friche
Known for: Rooftop terrace with city views and DJ sessions on event evenings
41 Rue Jobin, 13003 Marseille
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
Le Trolleybus
Cover: Door entry reported about €10 (~$11.50) at weekends (unverified); confirm at the door
Hours: Reported Thu-Sat midnight-6AM (busiest from about 1:30AM); one listing also gives Tuesday. Phone +33 4 91 54 30 45 (older directory); confirm before going.
Cabaret Aleatoire
Cover: Ticket price set per event on Shotgun
Hours: Event nights only; check the programme and buy tickets on Shotgun. La Friche phone +33 4 95 04 95 95.
Le Rooftop des Terrasses
Cover: Ticket price set per event on Shotgun; check lerooftopdesterrasses.com
Hours: High season Wed-Sun from 7PM, Saturday 7PM-2AM (venue site); proper attire required and entry can be refused. Phone +33 4 91 91 79 39; tickets on Shotgun, tables via Overfull.
Le Makeda
Cover: Tickets reported about €10-22 (~$11.50-25.30) (2019 listing; confirm)
Hours: Event nights, usually Thursday-Saturday evenings; check espace-julien.com for the programme. Phone +33 4 91 24 34 10 (Espace Julien).
Espace Julien
Cover: Ticket price set per concert; see espace-julien.com
Hours: Concert nights only, doors usually evening; programme and tickets on espace-julien.com. Phone +33 4 91 24 34 10.
Le Molotov
Cover: Ticket price set per gig; see lemolotov.com
Hours: Concert nights; doors reported 8PM with sets from 8:30PM; weekend shows can sell out about two weeks ahead (lemolotov.com).
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Most venues warm up after midnight — earlier arrivals get easier entry and shorter queues.
Carry ID, even if you look older — bouncers check at most venues.
Plan your ride home before you go out — last transport runs earlier than the clubs close.