10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Bordeaux
Where to Go in Bordeaux at Night?
The best things to do after dinner in Bordeaux will surprise you with the great discoveries you can make. The city is particularly beautiful at night, with evening lights on elegant historical buildings. You can wander around and explore a multitude of fun, cultural venues, such as concert halls, live music bars, theaters, an arthouse movie theater, and nightclubs.
Whether you’re looking for a ballet dance, a hot cabaret show, a comedy performance, or a lively bar, you’ll find a spot to please you. Check out our list of things to do in Bordeaux at night to guarantee your evening’s entertainment.
1. Water Mirror
An unforgettable visual spectacle
Good for: Couples, Photo, Nightlife
Miroir d’Eau (Water Mirror) is a must-see when you visit Bordeaux, especially at night. The world’s largest mirror-effect pool provides another dimension to the already impressive Place de la Bourse. Water comes and goes, creating amazing reflections, which are particularly spectacular in the evening when the 18th-century façades are lit up.
Created in 2006 on the Garonne’s quay, this immense pool has become a local attraction and part of the contemporary UNESCO World Heritage site. During the day, this spot brings lots of children playing around. It is very different at night when evening lights change the scenery. Elegant buildings framing the square beautifully reflect in the water, making this place mysterious and romantic.
Location: Pl. de la Bourse, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Water Mirror
2. Saint Pierre
Authentic Bordeaux at night
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
The Saint Pierre neighbourhood is the historical center of the city. Beautiful in daylight, the district is particularly attractive at night. Lively and vibrant, it’s a favorite spot for tourists and locals to come and hang out with friends.
There are plenty of restaurants and trendy wine bars, cocktail bars, and hip cafés that can satisfy everyone’s taste. Have fun strolling along narrow cobbled streets and make a tour of the lively bars and pubs around the Place Fernand-Lafargue, Saint-James and Parlement-Saint-Pierre streets. Most of the bars are concentrated in walkable neighborhoods, and you can even dance in some of them.
Saint Pierre
3. National Opera of Bordeaux
Experience the finest performances
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
Opera National de Bordeaux (National Opera of Bordeaux) is located in the renowned Grand-Théâtre, the 18th-century building known for the beauty of its neoclassical architecture and exceptional acoustics. The program of the opera house includes operas, ballets, symphony concerts, and jazz performances from famous French and international artists.
Vising this opera at night is an aesthetical pleasure as well as an auditory one. You’ll like the beautifully lit up façade, impressive frescoes on the ceiling, a gorgeous staircase, and of course the performances themselves. Book your ticket well in advance to be able to enjoy an exceptional experience in the city of Bordeaux.
Location: Pl. de la Comédie, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Phone: +33 (0)5 56 00 85 95
National Opera of Bordeaux
4. Utopia Movie theater
A unique arthouse movie theater
Good for: Couples, Families, Nightlife
Utopia Movie theater is not like other movie theaters. Firstly, this “arthouse movie theater” is located in an old church, so the interior has arches, vaults, and religious sculptures. Secondly, its diverse program focuses on movies from independent French and international directors. Most of the movies are shown with English subtitles.
The movie theater hosts plenty of festivals and events, including those specializing in musical documentaries, an international independent movie festival, and events devoted to the movie theater of specific countries. There are also many children’s movies. The movie theater is situated in the city’s center, on Camille Jullian Square. There are many cafés close by, or you can even eat in the movie theater – it has a cozy café with a great terrace.
Location: 5 Pl. Camille Jullian, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Phone: +33 (0)5 56 52 00 03
Utopia Movie theater
5. The Blue Angel
French cabaret with dinner and wine
Good for: Nightlife
Located outside Bordeaux, close to the expressway, L’ange Bleu (The Blue Angel) is a very popular music hall. It was opened in 1997 when the owner of an old truck stop decided to convert it into a cabaret. This huge venue has a 300-square-metre stage, and it can fit up to 1,200 visitors, making it one of the largest cabarets in France.
This is the place to enjoy high-quality performances featuring magic and comedy shows, music and dancing entertainment with beautiful dancers. While you enjoy the spectacles, you’ll be served a 3-course meal with traditional food and French wines. Make sure to book in advance.
Location: 47 Rue de Gueynard, 33240 Gauriaguet, France
Phone: +33 (0)5 57 68 07 07
The Blue Angel
6. Place de la Victoire
Find young vibes near the heart of Bordeaux
Good for: Food, Nightlife, Budget
Place de Victoire is a big square that’s famous for the 19th-century Porte D’Aquitaine, a tall Obelisk, and sculptures of turtles. The place is very busy during the day and night. Hundreds of students from Bordeaux university gather here to party at night. Young tourists are also happy to pop over and join the fun.
You can find various bars, bistros, pubs, and cheap eateries around the square. Many of them have nice and lively terraces. There are also concerts and various events to entertain the cosmopolite customers.
Location: Pl. de la Victoire, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Place de la Victoire
7. I. BOAT
Clubbing on the water
Good for: Food, Nightlife
Located on a 3-level ferry in the Bassins à Flot area of Bordeaux, I. BOAT is a popular clubbing spot. It also hosts a restaurant, a cocktails bar, a heated terrace, and a concert hall. Choose this place to share tapas with friends and then dance through the night.
Live music starts at 7 pm, and DJ sets kick off at 11.30 pm. The music genres include hip hop, blues rock, punk, electronic music, and hardcore. You can check the program on their website to find a special event and concerts from local and international musicians.
Location: Bassin à Flot n°, 1 Cr Henri Brunet, 33300 Bordeaux, France
I. BOAT
8. Café Théâtre des Beaux Arts
A great place for fun and laughter
Good for: Nightlife
Café Théâtre des Beaux Arts is a charming and intimate theater. Located 10 minutes walking distance from the Place de la Bourse, the place proposes a variety of comedy shows, music, and art performances from local and regional artists. It’s quite small, accommodating only about 90 people, but it’s very friendly and cozy.
The theater also offers meals, so you can come here to enjoy dinner and entertainment in a cheerful setting. After the performance, it’s often possible to meet the actors and talk about the best moments of the evening. Since it’s a very popular spot, make sure to book your tickets in advance.
Location: 2 Rue des Beaux Arts, 33800 Bordeaux, France
Phone: +33 (0)5 56 21 85 30
Café Théâtre des Beaux Arts
9. Quartier Libre
Cozy bar with live concerts
Good for: Food, Nightlife
Located in the Saint-Michel neighbourhood, The Quartier Libre is a restaurant with a music bar. It hosts live music concerts from local artists performing jazz, blues, rock, funk, soul, and hip-hop. The atmosphere of the venue is warm and welcoming.
You can come here for a dinner made of local and organic ingredients, or simply for a cocktail or beer with friends. You’ll discover an art deco-style lounge and a lively stage. When the concerts are over, DJ sets step in so you can continue the evening dancing on the dance floor until 2 am.
Location: 30 Rue des Vignes, 33800 Bordeaux, France
Open: Tuesday – Saturday from 6 pm to 2 am (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Phone: +33 (0)6 25 80 60 53
Quartier Libre
10. Dancing on the Quayside
Dance in the open air
Good for: Nightlife
Dansons sur les Quais (Dancing on the Quayside) is an annual dance event in Bordeaux. It usually takes place in July and August in front of the Place des Quinconces, on the bank of the Garonne. The festival combines shows from professional dancers, competitions, lessons, and live music.
This is a great place to come and dance under the stars, whatever your age and skill level. You’ll find something to please your tastes. There are shows, lessons, and dancing evenings of different genres, including hip-hop, modern, jazz, oriental, salsa, rock, and country styles.
Location: Placette de Munich Quai Louis XVIII, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Dancing on the Quayside
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