10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Bordeaux

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 18^th-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.

The Saint Pierre neighbourhood is the historical centre of the city. Beautiful in daylight, the district is particularly attractive at night. Lively and vibrant, it’s a favourite 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 areas, and you can even dance in some of them.

Opera National de Bordeaux (National Opera of Bordeaux) is located in the renowned Grand-Théâtre, the 18^th-century building known for the beauty of its neoclassical architecture and exceptional acoustics. The programme 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.

Utopia Cinema is not like other cinemas. Firstly, this “arthouse cinema” is located in an old church, so the interior has arches, vaults, and religious sculptures. Secondly, its diverse programme focuses on movies from independent French and international directors. Most of the films are shown with English subtitles.

The cinema hosts plenty of festivals and events, including those specializing in musical documentaries, an international independent film festival, and events devoted to the cinema of specific countries. There are also many children’s movies. The cinema is situated in the city’s centre, on Camille Jullian Square. There are many cafés close by, or you can even eat in the cinema – it has a cosy café with a great terrace.

Located outside Bordeaux, close to the motorway, 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.

Place de Victoire is a big square that’s famous for the 19^th-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.

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 programme on their website to find a special event and concerts from local and international musicians.

Café Théâtre des Beaux Arts is a charming and intimate theatre. 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 cosy.

The theatre 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.

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.

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.