Nice has some of the most active nightlife and cultural offerings along the Riviera. Big evenings out usually begin at a cafe or bar, take in a restaurant, opera, or film, and finish in a club. You have the choice of many cinemas, most of which show films in English with French subtitles, with the art house Cinéma Jean-Paul Belmondo, 16 place Garibaldi (tel. 04-89-04-52-00), particularly recommended for cult version originale films.
The major cultural center on the Riviera is the Opéra de Nice, 4 rue St-François-de-Paule (www.opera-nice.org; tel. 04-92-17-40-00), built in 1885 by Charles Garnier, fabled architect of the Paris Opéra. It presents a full repertoire, with emphasis on serious, often large-scale operas, such as “Tristan and Isolde” and “La Boheme,” as well as a saison symphonique dominated by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice. The opera hall is also the major venue for concerts and recitals. Tickets are available right up until the day of performance. You can show up at the box office (Tue–Sat 11am–5pm) or buy tickets in advance online. Tickets run from 12€ to 90€.
A chic gaming spot is the Casino in the Palais de Mediterranée, 15 promenade des Anglais (www.casinomediterranee.com; tel. 04-92-14-68-00), which opens at 10am for slot machines, 8pm for gaming tables.
Within the cool-kitsch decor of a former garage in the port area, talented staff serves up fruity cocktails and pétanque (French boules) on its own indoor court at La Boulisterie, 16 rue Lascaris (tel. 04-93-89-34-96). Around the corner, LGBTQ+-friendly Comptoir Central Electrique, 10 rue Bonaparte (tel. 04-93-14-09-62), is the place in Garibaldi neighborhood’s epicenter of cool.The party spirit is best lapped up in the alfresco bars on the cours Saleya. Otherwise, head a block inland to Wayne’s Bar, 15 rue de la Préfecture (www.waynesbar-restaurant.com; tel. 04-93-13-46-99), where dancing on the tables to raucous cover bands is the norm. For excellent house tunes, nonstop dancing, and heaps of understated cool, head to High Club, 45 promenade des Anglais (tel. 07-81-88-42-04).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
