Bars

Bars

The latest trend in Cannes? English pubs and no I'm not joking. Two have recently opened and are packed with French people. Traditional city type pub is The Kingdom, boulevard Republique - just south of the Voie Rapide and not too far from Gambetta Market. It also hosts live music and large screen sports events - happy hour from 4pm to 8pm.The other is a trendy, modern pub called the Black Pearl at 22 rue Mace which links the Croisette and rue d'Antibes. No happy hour and the drinks are English prices.

The so called Gutter Bar is situated at 72 Boulevard de la Croisette, just across the street from the Martinez. That's not its real name but the name given to it by journalists at the International Advertising Festival many years ago. Mike Lynch - now publisher of Australian magazine, Campaign Brief - says: "We had to drink in the gutter. It's a smart place now with lots of room inside but we - mainly Australians and Brits - still insist on drinking in the gutter".

In the old Cannes port there is an Irish pub called the Quays which serves Guinness, Murphys, Fosters and Amstel. Customers include visiting yachtsmen. A pint of lager costs 5€ during Happy Hour, 5pm to 8pm. Staff are mainly Irish and Australian. Big screens show major sports events and it's open till 2am.

Morrisons is another Irish pub, located at 10 rue Teisseire, off rue d'Antibes. Live bands play traditional Irish folk, rock or blues in the evenings, and sports fans enjoy big sporting events on a large screen.

On the first Monday of each month British stand-up comedians entertain.

See Next event.

The apero – an early evening drink after shopping or the beach – is a tradition in the town with many bars offering mouth watering nibbles free with your drinks.

Off the rue Mace on rue des frères Pradignac is the bar For You which opens at 5pm and is ideal for flopping after shopping. Late at night it has a club atmosphere.

The Z Plage on the Croisette is the very upmarket beach bar belonging to the Martinez Hotel and has become an apero institution since it opened a few years ago. It is open all day and remains open in the evening during July and August. Be warned the staff are very chic and so are the clients! Best clobber recommended - whether beachwear or clothes. Don't forget your credit card.

For an earlier drink

Cafe des Halles is situated at 1 Place Marché Forville right by the market of the same name. Stallholders and visitors alike pop in for a drink during the morning.

Tel: 04 93 39 01 10

A bit different - have a lunchtime cocktail at the Cannes-Mandelieu private airport watching the famous fly in, particularly during the Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix. Lunch from 12pm to 3pm in L'Ardoise Provençale restaurant - grilled steak 18€.

For art, drinks and snacks

see Le Sug'art

Cannes Tourist Information

The Insider Knowledge