12 things to do in Marseille at night
Marseille is a lovely port city known for its beautiful monuments and architecture, wonderful climate, and abundant sun. But when the sun has slipped down behind the Mediterranean horizon, you’ll discover a magical side of the city you can only see after dark.
A visit to the Vieux Port, the Old Port of Marseille, is an essential part of a trip to the Phocaean city. Try an outdoor dinner at La Cigale du Vieux-Port, a restaurant serving meat dishes, seafood, and cocktails. Take a sunset cruise along the Mediterranean coast or soak in the captivating night views up in the sky from Grande Roue de Marseille, a 55-meter-tall Ferris wheel in the city.
If you prefer dancing and meeting new people, dance until dawn in one of the exciting Marseille dance clubs or live music venues like Le Moulin. From intimate jazz clubs and chic cocktail bars to stylish Irish pubs and buzzing techno dance floors, Marseille’s nightlife scene is a melting pot of cultures, combining urban energy with traditional French charm.
Whatever you decide to do, don’t let your heavy bags slow you down. Leave your belongings at one of our luggage storage facilities in Marseille and experience the city’s vibrant nightlife without carrying around your bags. Download the Bounce app and find many convenient places to store your items in France’s second-largest city.
Tours and Cruises
Sunset Cruises with Dinner
What better way to spend an evening in this coastal French city than sailing into the sunset with a delicious dinner? By taking an evening cruise, you can view the spectacular nightscape and get lost in its beauty while savoring a meal.
Several companies offer different sunset dinner cruise packages in Marseille, so choose one for your needs and budget. For example, you can take a romantic tour and dine on board with a loved one while admiring stunning views of Marseille and dancing to music.
Most cruises depart from the quay in front of the Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean (MuCEM) or from the harbor in front of the town hall at around 6:30 pm. Sunset dinner cruises usually last about three hours, so once you're back on dry land, there'll still be plenty of time left to do more activities.
Pub Crawl Marseille
When you're traveling alone, take the opportunity to make new friends. One way is to join a fun pub crawl. Pub Crawl Marseille organizes an evening that's a terrific social getting-to-know-you event. The crawl occurs three days a week: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Everyone meets at the Vertigo Bar on Rue Sainte in the city center at around 9:30 pm.
Once you've met the guide and everyone else who will join in the fun, you’ll stop at three guide-designated bars where you’ll be welcomed with free drinks. There are ice-breaking drinking games plus a few surprises along the way before the crawl ends in a nightclub where you can dance the rest of the night away.
Vieux Port and Old City
If you want to venture on your own, the Vieux Port is well worth an evening visit. It's the oldest quarter in the city and has been Marseille's port for centuries. It's a vibrant spot near iconic landmarks like Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure de Marseille and MuCEM.
Wander past the fishing boats moored up along the quay and get a table on the terrace of the restaurant Au Bout du Quai. Enjoy an aperitif while perusing the menu, and once you've ordered, sit back and relax as you enjoy the views.
If you visit Marseille in the winter, try the bouillabaisse, a traditional French fish stew. It's healthy and warming, but if you're here in the summer, go for oysters, salmon tartare, or monkfish with risotto. You won't be disappointed with any of them. It’s one of the best areas to get Marseille street food. Grab your affordable meal to go and wander while you dine.
Bars, Pubs, and Clubs
Dantès Skylounge
Address: 36 Boulevard Charles Livon, 13007 Marseille, France
Just a few steps from the Fort d’Entrecasteaux, MuCEM, and the elegant Palais du Pharo, you’ll find the Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port. This stylish hotel offers different rooftop experiences, but if you want to elevate your evening in Marseille, take the lift to Dantès Skylounge. This rooftop bar has a huge glass-walled terrace and is decked out with comfortable armchairs and sofa-sized seating where you can enjoy panoramic views.
Dantès Skylounge commands the best views over the city, Vieux Port, and Fort Saint-Jean. Here, you can watch the glorious sun glinting against the Mediterranean waves as it sets while sipping a classy cocktail.
The Red Lion Pub Marseille
Address: 231 Avenue Pierre Mendès-France, 13008 Marseille, France
If you’re in the area on Fridays and Saturdays, spend the rest of your evening at the Red Lion, an authentic British pub in this French metropolis. Enjoy an entertaining evening here with music and dancing.
Check out the lounge in an almost hidden part of the Pub. It’s cozy, intimate, colorful, and entirely decorated to give guests an immersive experience. The Red Lion is the meeting place for clubbers, concertgoers, and even sports enthusiasts. Whiskey and draft beers are a favorite, but they also serve cocktails.
Tout vin à point
Address: 24 Rue de l'Évêché, 13002 Marseille, France
If you want to venture beyond the pub, try the classy Tout vin à point on Rue de l'Évêché. It's decorated in a rustic farmhouse style that's easy on the eyes. At Tout vin à point wine bar, you can indulge in a glass of French plonk and nibble on some tasty cold cuts while you do some people-watching.
Le Trolleybus
Address: 24 Quai de Rive Neuve, 13007 Marseille, France
Despite its name, you won’t be touring Marseille on a hop-on-hop-off electric bus. Instead, you'll be going clubbing in Vieux Port.
Le Trolleybus is one of Marseille's best nightclubs. It has three different floors and each plays completely different music. All you have to do is go from one to the other until you find your vibe—just what you need when trying to have a good time.
Le Trolleybus is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from midnight until 6 am. Entry is free, and it’s located on the main strip opposite the Old Port. Once you get it, you can go and enjoy the party all night.
Carry Nation
Carry Nation delights in secrecy. Guests wishing to know this hidden gem's exact location in Marseille must provide an email address and phone number. You’ll be given a specific code to enter the clandestine bar, and once there, they’ll serve tasty cocktails dating back to the Prohibition period.
The mysterious nature of the bar makes the experience extra special. Here, you’ll sample excellent spirits from around the world, including Jamaica, Cuba, America, Asia, Canada, France, and the West Indies.
Concert Venues
Dock des Suds
Address: 12 Rue Urbain V, 13002 Marseille
If you prefer live music to techno, house, and hip-hop, plan a night at Dock des Suds. It’s a much-loved event and concert venue on Rue Urbain V. It features regular live performances from bands and independent artists representing all the genres of world music imaginable. When you go, there could be an internationally known group playing or a lesser-known local artist.
Don't expect intimate-style concerts. Dock des Suds is a massive renovated warehouse that holds audiences of several thousand. It can get packed with partygoers and music enthusiasts if there's a show on, which adds to the vibrant atmosphere.
L’Opéra municipal de Marseille
Address: 2 Rue Molière, 13001 Marseille, France
Go for a classic night out at the 18th-century Opera Municipal de Marseille. It’s housed in a historic building and has been staging classic works since 1924. The majority of performances here sell out, so even if you’re not usually into traditional opera, you’re sure to have a memorable evening here. It also stages chamber music and dance performances in the historic theater.
Activities
Spin On The Grande Roue de Marseille
Put a thrill into your night out in Marseille by riding on the Grande Roue de Marseille. The Grande Roue de Marseille is located in the Vieux Port during the winter and on the Borely promenade in the summer.
The Grande Roue de Marseille is one of France’s largest Ferris wheels at a staggering 180 feet high. All of the gondolas are open to the air, providing a refreshing experience on a warm evening. The wheel operates until 11 pm.
Walk along Prado Beach
Strolling along one of the Prado beaches in the early evening is a marvelous activity. Find a bench somewhere along the Plages du Prado promenade, and you'll be in the best spot to catch the stunning Mediterranean sunset.
For an elevated experience, get a table at the Café de la Plage. Here, you can sip on sophisticated cocktails while enjoying the same sunset.
Discover evening experiences in Marseille
Whether visiting Marseille with a group or traveling alone, your days and nights will be filled with exciting adventures and entertainment. Of course, you’ll want to see the sights and participate in activities when the sun is up, but the city comes alive at night with different nightlife attractions and tours.
Besides the Old Port area, the bustling Place Jean Jaurès draws in younger crowds with its nightlife options, including restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. No matter which part of the city you go to, you’ll find convenient luggage storage options nearby. Drop off your luggage or shopping bags at a Bounce location to discover fantastic evening activities in Marseille.