Looking for things to do after dinner in Nantes? The fun continues way after the sun goes down and the city's lively nightlife can be found everywhere. From old warehouses repurposed as clubs and bars to dignified period buildings housing glam cocktail joints, Nantes's after-dark scenes are well-varied.

Get a dose of art and culture at a late open museum night, or explore concerts, opera, plays and dance at one of the city's many theatres. The iconic Loire River is an attraction in itself, with waterfront bars and sunset cruises offering live music and strong drinks. Get the most out of your evening with our guide to the best things to do after dinner in Nantes.

  • 1

    Machines of the Isle of Nantes

    Steampunk-inspired mechanical animals

    Machines of the Isle of Nantes
    • Familles
    • Vie nocturne
    • Insolite

    Machines of the Isle of Nantes (Les Machines de l'Île) is a futuristic theme park with plenty of weird and wonderful machines. You'll get a great view from the top of the 12-metre-high Grand Elephant, which sprays water from its trunk. There's a whole gallery of amazing mechanical animals, including a hummingbird and an ant.

    You can watch engineers working on new machines at the workshop terraces. There's also a carousel with 3 separate levels, all decorated with bizarre marine creatures. An onsite gift shop continues the steampunk theme with retro posters and a wide selection of books on architecture, nature and travel.

    Emplacement : Parc des Chantiers, Bd Léon Bureau, 44200 Nantes, France

    Ouverture : Hours vary by season

    Téléphone : +33 (0)8 10 12 12 25

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  • 2

    Evening cruise along the Loire

    A relaxing tour on the water

    Evening cruise along the Loire
    • Couples
    • Vie nocturne

    The rivers of Loire, Erdre and Sèvre cut through the centre of Nantes, offering plenty of space for tranquil cruising. See beautiful manor houses dotting the riverside, learn about the city’s history, see more of Brittany's wildlife, or sail past art installations by some of France's greatest contemporary artists.

    After-dinner cruises are great for taking in the sunset over the Loire valley. Many tours offer live music by jazz singers, acoustic groups or local bands, as well as audio commentary on special sights. Expect a fully stocked bar and possibly a waterside drink at the wharf to finish your evening.

  • 3

    Hangar à Bananes

    Colourful mix of music, drinks and entertainment

    Hangar à Bananes
    • Vie nocturne

    Hangar à Bananes is a former warehouse that’s now a vast nightlife hub of bars, nightclubs and theatres. Its prime position on the Nantes waterfront gives it fabulous riverside views from its patios and terraces. The choices of places to go for a drink in Nantes are virtually endless, from rocking Irish bar Le Dock Yard to tasty Cuban rums at La Calle and creative cocktails at La Terrasse de l'Île.

    One of Hangar à Bananes’ biggest attractions is Warehouse, a sprawling nightclub with an eclectic roster of visiting DJs and bands. There are lively karaoke nights at Le Ferrailleur and a packed dancefloor at club D3. For those who prefer a more laidback after-dinner activity, catch a play in the opulent surroundings of Théâtre 100 Noms or visit the Popular Culture Centre for literary events.

    Emplacement : 21 Quai des Antilles, 44200 Nantes, France

    Téléphone : +33 (0)2 40 71 08 79

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    photo de Jibi44 (CC BY-SA 3.0) modifiée

  • 4

    Musée d'Arts late openings

    Spend some time with Nantes' artistic treasures

    Musée d'Arts late openings
    • Familles
    • Histoire
    • Vie nocturne

    The Musée d'Arts is a fine art museum that mixes medieval portraits with contemporary sculpture, plus video, photos, paintings, and installations. Highlights of the collection include paintings by Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet, abstract work by Wassily Kandinsky, and a fibreglass installation by Anish Kapoor. The building itself is a historical monument, built in the early 19th century and extensively renovated in 2017.

    The museum closes at 9 pm on Thursdays, allowing you to wander the peaceful galleries after you’ve enjoyed a nice dinner. Temporary exhibitions are built around specific themes, such as the inspiration of forest myths and legends, the history of hypnotism, and the influence of food on art. The Musée d'Arts also hosts dance performances, lectures, discussions, and film screenings.

    Emplacement : 10 Rue Georges Clemenceau, 44000 Nantes, France

    Ouverture : Monday, Wednesday and Friday–Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm, Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm (closed on Tuesdays)

    Téléphone : +33 (0)2 51 17 45 00

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    photo de Vincent Valentin (CC BY-SA 4.0) modifiée

  • 5

    Le Lieu Unique

    Quirky performances in a former biscuit factory

    Le Lieu Unique
    • Couples
    • Familles
    • Vie nocturne

    Le Lieu Unique is a cultural centre that does a little bit of everything, from art exhibitions to literary debates. Recent performances have included a biographical drama with archival documents, a mishmash of theatre and stand-up comedy, and an energetic one-woman show. There are also dance performances, concerts, choirs, and acrobatic circus acts.

    Le Lieu Unique’s stylish bar features industrial fixtures and outdoor seating with a view of the Erdre. Visit its onsite bookshop for an intriguing selection of books on theatre, art and music. There's even a Turkish bath where you can relax in the scented steam or enjoy a massage.

    Emplacement : 2 Rue de la Biscuiterie, 44000 Nantes, France

    Ouverture : Monday from 11 am to 8 pm, Tuesday–Wednesday from 11 am to midnight, Thursday from 11 am to 2 am, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 3 am, Sunday from 3 pm to 8 pm

    Téléphone : +33 (0)2 40 12 14 34

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    photo de Martin Argyroglo (CC BY-SA 3.0) modifiée

  • 6

    Théâtre Graslin

    Lavish opera productions and classical concerts

    Théâtre Graslin
    • Couples
    • Histoire
    • Luxe
    • Vie nocturne

    Théâtre Graslin is a stunning neoclassical building that houses the Angers Nantes Opera Company. It hosts magnificent productions of operas like The Rake's Progress and Madame Butterfly, as well as concerts of classical, choral, chamber and world music. Film screenings, comic ballets and modern dance productions also take place in this theatre.

    Special family performances have songs that appeal to kids and encourage the audience to sing along. You can also enjoy various cover songs from famous operas. The graceful building, which dates back to the late 18th century, retains many beautiful historical features, including remarkable ceiling frescoes.

    Emplacement : Pl. Graslin, 44000 Nantes, France

    Téléphone : +33 (0)2 40 69 77 18

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  • 7

    Zénith Nantes Métropole

    A sleek modern stadium hosting international music acts

    Zénith Nantes Métropole
    • Familles
    • Groupe
    • Vie nocturne

    Zénith Nantes Métropole makes a great platform for sports events and concerts on a massive scale. Past performances have included music from Star Wars and James Bond, French rapper Ninho, and world music from 100 Voices of Gospel. Other famous musicians have included Motorhead, Cheryl Crow and rock band Placebo, who were the first act to play here.

    The stadium hosts a diverse range of sporting events, from basketball to ice-skating. Other acts include stand-up comedy, puppet shows for kids, and a spectacular display of equestrian skill.

    Emplacement : ZAC d'Ar Mor, Bd du Zénith, 44800 Saint-Herblain, France

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    photo de Stéfan Le Dû (CC BY-SA 2.0) modifiée

  • 8

    Stéréolux

    Avant-garde music at a creative arts centre

    Stéréolux
    • Familles
    • Groupe
    • Vie nocturne

    Stéréolux is a cultural hub that focuses on modern music and digital arts in Nantes. Its wide-ranging music programme runs the gamut of styles, combined with complimentary use of interesting multimedia. Concerts might be anything, from rap artists, punk rock bands, pop singers, and folk groups to electro and house DJ sets.

    Past features on its eclectic programme have included a Taiwanese dancer who uses robots in his choreography, an art history lecture on 'behind-the-scenes' paintings, and a workshop on relationships in the digital age. Have a beer at Stéréolux’s attached bar, which has a cool pop-art interior and a terrace overlooking Nantes.

    Emplacement : 4 Bd Léon Bureau, 44200 Nantes, France

    Téléphone : +33 (0)2 40 43 20 43

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  • 9

    Bouffay

    A fun night out in Nantes' old medieval quarter

    Bouffay
    • Gastronomie
    • Vie nocturne

    Bouffay bubbles with life after dark, with plenty of vibrant bars and clubs lining the district’s pretty cobbled streets. Thanks to the lack of motorised traffic, it’s very easy (and safe) to stroll from bar to bar. Have a glass of Guinness at John McByrne & Co, try a creative new cocktail at Kitkat Bar, or knock back some shots at Le Shaft.

    You can enjoy live music by local bands at Ruin Bar Bouffay and HoPoPop Café. There's stand-up comedy at Poum Poum T'chak and an impressive range of beers at Le Sur-Mesure. Finish your night with a late snack of crepes or galettes at Creperie Des Ducs or Crêperie Fleur de Sel.

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    photo de Retis (CC BY 2.0) modifiée

  • 10

    Île Feydeau cocktail bars

    18th-century mansions on a former island

    Île Feydeau cocktail bars
    • Vie nocturne

    The elegant historic buildings of Île Feydeau are home to an array of cocktail bars and swanky clubs that celebrate the glamour of previous centuries. Head to Bootlegger for vintage drinks inspired by Prohibition-era America, or enjoy a wide variety of cocktails in a steampunk interior at Le Chat Noir.

    For local art, look no further than the exhibitions at Le Big Ben, or flip through a wide library of comic books at Atomic Café. Rum lovers should try the range of rums and rum-based cocktails at Le Tiki Bar. Live music is easy to find on Île Feydeau, from local bands playing at Le Café Rouge Mécanique to the tinkle of piano music at LR de Rien.

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Victoria Hughes | Auteur collaborateur