When the sun goes down, the town turns into one big party. On place du Bouffay, place du Pilori, and rue Kervégan, you'll find lots of cafes and pubs, many with live music and fun people. A younger crowd rules rue Scribe.
The hippest location in Nantes, and the town's leading cultural center, is Le Lieu Unique, 2 rue de la Biscuiterie (tel. 02-51-82-15-00). Converted from a 19th-century biscuit factory, the venue's presentations range from plays (in French) to art exhibitions. Admission is free to the dimly lit, concrete-floored bar at ground level, which is frequented by students and artists. A packed floor of young people dance to the sounds of DJs. Beer is cheap, only 2€ ($2.60) a mug. The bar is open Monday 11am to 8pm, Tuesday through Thursday 11am to 2am, Friday and Saturday 11am to 3am, and Sunday 3 to 8pm.
Catch some live blues, jazz, or rock at L'Univers Café, 16 rue Jean-Jacques-Rousseau (tel. 02-40-73-49-55), or techno and disco at L.C. Club, 3 quai François-Mitterrand (tel. 02-40-47-68-45), open all night. A great piano bar with a dance floor and occasional jazz concerts is Le Tie Break, 1 rue des Petites-Ecuries (tel. 02-40-47-77-00).
The pump-it-up dance scene has a huge following of everyone from students to seniors. The over-30 crowd heads to the vintage 1970s disco L'Evasion, 3 rue de l'Emery (tel. 02-40-47-99-84). Other discos include Le Royal Club Privé, 7 rue des Salorges (tel. 02-40-69-11-10). Don't wear jeans to any of these places, and be prepared to pay 10€ to 15€ ($15-$22) to get in.
The favorite with gays and lesbians is Le Petit Marais, 15 rue Kervégan (tel. 02-40-20-15-25), where people meet and talk in a friendly atmosphere that welcomes everything from leather to lace. Le Temps d'Aimer, 14 rue Alexandre-Fourny (tel. 02-40-89-48-60), is mixed and gay-friendly. This disco with its small dance floor attracts a sophisticated crowd. The most you'll pay to get in is 12€ ($17). Newer than either of the above-mentioned bars is a mostly gay pub, L'Hypnotique, 2 rue Kervégan (tel. 06-26-28-93-81).
