Sass Café
This popular piano bar is reminiscent of old-school cabarets with its shiny bar counter, lacquered grand piano (live jazz every night) and padded red walls.
Brasserie de Monaco
Having Monaco’s only microbrewery gives this portside bar a useful USP, and its organic lagers and ales seems to pack the punters in. Inside it’s all chrome, steel and big-screen TVs, and live sports and DJs keep the weekends extra busy. Head for the patio out front if it gets too hectic. Happy hour’s from 6pm to 8pm.
Café de Paris
The grande dame of Monaco’s cafes (founded 1882), perfect for un petit café and a spot of people-watching. Everything else is chronically overpriced, and the waiters can be horrendously snooty, but it’s the price you pay for a front-row view of Monte Carlo’s razzamatazz.
Zelo’s
Glitzy, glam and utterly fabulous with its enormous chandeliers, intensely blue walls and ceiling fitted with hundreds of star-like lights, Zelo’s is what Monaco nightlife is all about. At weekends DJs spins tunes from 11.30pm until the wee hours, while Monagèsque hipters sip cocktails. The lounge bar has a restaurant too, with a magical summertime terrace staring out to sea.
Joseph
For a generous dose of Monagesque chic, hit this designer lounge bar at the port. Tropical white sand carpets the floor of the stark aquarium-inspired interior, and stylish driftwood sculptures adorn the port-facing terrace. At lunchtime Joseph is more restaurant, but come dusk the piano bar, cocktails and live music kick in. Dress up to blend in.
