Nightlife

Begin your evening at one of the cafes or brasseries lining place Zola, rue des Godrans, place du Théâtre, or place Darcy, such as the Concorde, 2 place Darcy (tel. 03-80-30-69-43); Jardin Théâtre, 1 bis place du Théâtre (tel. 03-80-67-13-59); or La Comédie, 3 place du Théâtre (tel. 03-80-67-11-62). These spots fill up with young people who start the night with a drink and a look around.

If you prefer a 30s-to-40s crowd that likes to mingle in the low-key atmosphere of a piano bar, try Hunky Dory, 5 av. Foch (tel. 03-80-53-17-24); Le Messire, 3 rue Jules-Mercier (tel. 03-80-30-16-40); or Le Cintra, 13 av. Foch (tel. 03-80-53-19-53), which also has a little disco. For the boisterous (and often sloshed) atmosphere of an Irish pub, head over to Le Kilkenny, 1 rue Auguste-Perdrix (tel. 03-80-30-02-48).

Appealing to a more sedate crowd is Le Chat Noir, 20 av. Garibaldi (tel. 03-80-73-39-57), which emphasizes slower, more romantic music.

The opera season in Dijon stretches from the middle of October to May. The city's premier venue is the Grand Théâtre de Dijon, 2 rue Longepierre (tel. 03-80-60-44-00); call ahead for information on operas, operettas, dance recitals, and concerts. The city's second-most visible cultural venue is the Théâtre National Dijon-Bourgogne, rue Danton (tel. 03-80-68-47-47). Tickets for performances at either theater range from 15€ to 40€.