Bar in Nice Old Town
Going out in Old Nice: guide to the alleys, bars and nightlife
Old Nice after dark is a maze of ochre alleyways, squares that come alive from aperitivo onwards, and a rare concentration of concept bars. Here's our local guide: where to grab a drink, what to eat, how to finish the night — written by the owners of Les Folies d'Edmonde, on rue Benoît Bunico since 2022.
Is there a terrace?
Yes — a street terrace of about ten tables (around 20 seats) on the car-free pedestrian alley. You get the full Vieux-Nice atmosphere: old façades, narrow lanes and lively neighbourhood life — ideal in good weather.
Our spot on this walk
Les Folies d'Edmonde sits at 16 rue Benoît Bunico, 3 minutes' walk from Cours Saleya and 5 minutes from Place Garibaldi. Our 17th-century vaulted cellar is one of the oldest still in operation in the neighborhood — the building was part of the historical Giudaria. Bare stone, vaulted ceiling and natural acoustics make the room a natural fit for music nights.
Our angle: not to be "a bar in Old Nice" among others, but a stop that combines crafted cocktails, live programming (karaoke, drag-show, jam, DJ depending on the date), and a real mix between Nice locals and travellers. If you're coming from Cours Saleya early evening and want to shift into festive mode around 9-10pm, this is our address.
Nice locals looking for a fresh address in their own neighborhood
Groups who want a single-neighborhood itinerary (aperitivo, dinner, night out)
Old Nice, the night-time version
Ochre alleyways, medieval façades, intimate squares: the neighborhood keeps a unique heritage setting. But it's at night that it reveals its real character — a continuous flow between Cours Saleya aperitivos, dinner in the alleys and night-out bars around every corner.
A rare density of concept bars
Over thirty venues within a tight perimeter, each with its own angle: charity bars (Le Béthel inside a church), themed pubs (Sailor's Pub), comedy clubs (Bobar), mixology (Les Folies), wine cellars, craft breweries. Hard to find the same density anywhere else on the French Riviera.
A neighborhood that mixes locals and travellers
Unlike the very touristy quarters of other Mediterranean cities, Old Nice keeps a real local audience: students from Saint-Roch, Garibaldi office workers, longtime Niçois. This mix shows in the bars, and that's what makes the evening quality.
Other neighborhood addresses to know
Old Nice isn't just one bar. Here are three other addresses with strong concepts, to explore depending on the mood — to turn a visit to the neighborhood into a real itinerary, not a single stop. Each address has its own character; none offers the same format.
Le Béthel — A Charity Bar in a Church
Set inside Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur (also known as Église du Gesù), Le Béthel is a charity bar where all proceeds fund the church's restoration. Open only during summer, it's a place where your aperitif supports local heritage. The majestic nave makes every drink an extraordinary experience.
The Sailor's Pub — A Nautical Escape
With its portholes, rigging and navigational details, The Sailor's Pub brings the spirit of seafaring adventures to the heart of Nice's old streets. It's the perfect spot for a quality beer in a relaxed, transport-you-elsewhere atmosphere.
Bobar Comedy Club — Laughs and Mixology
Bobar has established itself as Nice's go-to stand-up venue. The program alternates between French-language shows on weekdays and the English Comedy Club on Sundays, drawing both locals and international visitors. Cocktails and craft beers accompany every show in an electric atmosphere.
Practical guide — going out in Old Nice
Which is the best Nice neighborhood to go out at night?
Old Nice. More densely packed with bars, restaurants and nightlife venues than any other Nice neighborhood. Everything is walkable: from Cours Saleya to Place Garibaldi via the alleys between Sainte-Réparate cathedral and Castle Hill.
What time does Old Nice come alive?
Aperitivo starts around 6-7pm on Cours Saleya, the alleys come alive from 9-10pm. Friday and Saturday are the most festive nights, but the neighborhood stays lively midweek with weekly programming (karaoke, jam, comedy, themed nights).
Old Nice or Cours Saleya: what's the difference for a drink?
Cours Saleya is very touristy in high season (sunny terraces, tourist prices). The surrounding alleys — rue Benoît Bunico, rue Droite, rue de la Loge — are more authentic, livelier at night, and concentrate the concept bars (live music, mixology, comedy clubs).
What's an unusual bar to discover in Nice?
Les Folies d'Edmonde is one of Nice's most unusual bars: a 17th-century vaulted cellar at 16 rue Benoît Bunico in the heart of the Old Town, where a few steps down lead to a cocktail bar with a stage. Karaoke, drag shows, jam sessions and music trivia nights take turns under the stone vaults — far from the seafront bars, it's the offbeat spot locals show their guests.
Contact
Live music bar in Nice
Les Folies d'Edmonde brings several music formats together inside the same 17th-century cellar at 16 rue Benoît Bunico in Nice Old Town. People come here as much for a well-run karaoke night as for a U.NICE.ON jam session, a one-off concert, a music trivia or a DJ set, with the stage, bar and audience kept close together.
Karaoke nights in Nice
At Les Folies d'Edmonde, you don't sing in a corner: you take the stage. A 17th-century vaulted cellar in Nice Old Town, warm lighting, a dedicated host, house cocktails — and free choice from over 10,000 songs. A karaoke night staged like a cabaret.
Drag show in Nice
At Les Folies d'Edmonde, the drag show comes down into the vaulted cellar: drag bingo, singing, lipstick-red lip-sync and real dance moments light up Nice Old Town. Artists such as Millena B Rose, Azemylia, Laka-Naïa, Kiki Frog Show and LunaBelladonna have appeared here in recent years, in an LGBT friendly place that feels lively, funny and welcoming.
Jam session in Nice
In Nice, a jam session is never just a concert. It is a stage that opens up, musicians answering each other, the audience close by, and sometimes a song changing direction halfway through. This guide keeps the useful jam calendar for Nice, with venue and organizer links to check before going out.
Book a table at Les Folies
For 1–20 guests, book a table for drinks, a birthday, or a night out in Nice Old Town.
What guests say
Google rating: 4.9/5 from 500+ reviews (as of July 2026) — source: Google Business Profile.
I've traveled to nearly 25 countries, been in hundreds of bars. This may be the best bar I've ever been to in the world. The owners are incredibly kind, the service is great, the drinks are incredible, and the fun and vibe downstairs is just unmatched. Karaoke with people from all over the world is a fun experience I'll never forget!
So happy we stopped here during our bachelorette trip! The cocktails were unique and delicious, and the vibe was perfect. Highly recommend!
Genuinely nice owners and staff and truly great cocktails. I enjoyed what I drank here more than some of the top 100 bars in the world. Unpretentious and great energy.
J'ai fêté mon pot de départ aux Folies d'Edmonde, et cette soirée restera gravée comme un moment absolument inoubliable. Les cocktails étaient tout simplement délicieux, hyper originaux, préparés avec soin et créativité. On sent une vraie passion derrière le bar. Une véritable petite perle nichée dans le Vieux-Nice — à découvrir absolument.
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Practical info
Address
16 rue Benoît Bunico, 06300 Nice, France
Hours
Every day: 6:00 pm – 12:30 am
Payment methods
Apple Pay, Contactless Payment, Eurocard/Mastercard, Cash, Visa, American Express, Debit Card