Québec City's Best Nightlife Spots

Clubs, bars and cafes make up a vibrant part of Québec City's nightlife scene, with many clustered around rue St-Jean in Old Québec, and Grande-Allée and the adjacent Avenue Cartier outside the city walls. The now trendy and recently rejuvenated Saint-Roch District is also a popular nightlife area. Patrons wanting something more subdued can make it a night out with the performing arts, including symphony and opera. Summer and winter festivals feature international performers providing music, dance and theater, while local rock, jazz and folk musicians perform in bars and cafés year-round.

PERFORMING ARTS

At more than 100 years old, the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec is Canada's oldest symphony, attracting audiences each year totaling more than 200,000. In addition to regular evening concerts, the symphony orchestra holds matinees and family events as well. The Opéra de Québec features performances of two or three different operas each season. Both the opera and symphony orchestra perform at the Grand Théâtre de Québec, where a leading local theater company, le Théâtre du Trident, also stages classic and contemporary productions. A small ensemble of string musicians makes up Les Violons du Roy, which often joins with the choir group La Chapelle de Québec, performing in Palais Montcalm's Raoul-Jobin Hall. Check listings as many churches around town also feature concerts.

BARS, CLUBS AND CAFES

Along Grande Allee

The Le Complex Maurice Night Club, housed in an imposing century-old building, has different venues where younger crowds rock and dance the night away. Maurice Salon with its pulsing disco music is frequented by the under 30 crowd, while the Charlotte Lounge is more for the university crowds. The complex also has the Supper Club and a Cigar Lounge. Theme nights include Latino, pop or house music, and separate lounges are often used for private events.

Young crowds flock to Le Dagobert, called "Le Dag" by the locals, to hear rock bands and other music.

Reviving Québec's brewing traditions back to the 17^th century, L'Inox Maîtres-Brasseurs specializes in micro-brewed beers, prepared with special attention to taste and color. Varieties include amber, red, brown, blond and more.
Live musicians perform at Les Voûtes Napoléon with its brick walls and wine cellar-like ambiance.

Along rue Saint-Jean

Inside the walls of Old Québec, the English-style Saint-Alexandre Pub offers 250 varieties of beer from around the world, including more than 20 on tap. A fireplace adds to the warm ambiance with musicians performing on weekends. The menu features traditional pub fare including homemade soups, burgers, grilled foods, fish 'n chips and more.

Pub Saint-Patrick is an Irish pub located in a historical building across from City Hall. With a wide selection of Irish and local beers, it's where you can hear traditional Irish music.

In Saint-Roch District

Drinks and tapas are the hits at Le Cercle, a popular trendy restaurant and lounge frequented by both businessmen and a hip younger crowd. Local brews and imported wines please the pallet of aficionados.

With décor highlighting examples of Eastern and Western cultures, the Boudoir Lounge is a restaurant serving lunch and dinner. Regulars including local business people, professionals and artists, who flock here for lively happy hours and nightlife.

An excellent microbrewery, La Barberie is a comfortable bar with a wide selection of originally brewed and hoppy beers.

Other Bars

The Le Drague Cabaret is the city's most popular gay bar. Another popular nightspot is Beaugarte Restaurant-Bar, located near Université Laval and frequented by both students and an older crowd.