Shelby Secret Bar ★ 4.3
Lille-CentreWed 18:00-01:00; Thu-Sat 18:00-02:00; Sun 18:00-01:00; closed Monday and Tuesday
Shelby Secret Bar on Rue Sainte-Anne in Lille is entered through a vintage telephone, a prohibition-styled room of built signature cocktails.
Tip: The signature cocktails, Le Finn and Le Lizzy among them, run at 14 euros and change with the seasons.
La Planque ★ 4.0
Vieux-LilleMon-Thu 18:00-00:00; Fri 18:00-01:00; Sat 18:00-02:00; closed Sunday
La Planque hides down a staircase off Rue des Trois Mollettes in Lille, a vintage cellar where cocktails and half-litre beers both cost 5 euros.
Tip: There is no sign worth looking for. Find the staircase, then keep going down.
Le Privilège ★ 4.1
Vieux-LilleSun-Wed 17:00-01:00; Thu-Sat 17:00-02:00
Le Privilège on Rue Royale is the best known LGBTQ+ bar and club in Vieux-Lille, with a dancefloor, drag shows and karaoke on Wednesday nights.
Lokarria ★ 4.1
WazemmesSun-Wed 17:00-01:00; Thu-Sat 17:00-02:00
Lokarria on Rue des Postes in Lille is an inclusive cultural bar in Wazemmes, running concerts, exhibitions, DJ sets and queer nights.
Tip: Check the programme before you go. The room changes character completely on a gig night.
Maloot ★ 4.4
Vieux-LilleTue-Wed 18:00-01:00; Thu-Sat 18:00-02:00; closed Sunday and Monday
Maloot on Rue de la Barre in Lille is a Japanese-inspired hi-fi bar over two floors, vinyl and DJ sets played through a custom Palladium Audio system with craft cocktails.
Tip: It opened in February 2024 and DJ sets run Tuesday to Saturday, so arrive early for a seat in the upstairs lounge near the system.
La Capsule ★ 4.4
Vieux-LilleMon-Wed 17:30-01:00; Thu-Fri 17:30-02:00; Sat 16:00-01:00; Sun 17:00-00:00
La Capsule on Rue des Trois Mollettes in Lille sells no mainstream lager, running 28 taps of lambics, sours and small-brewery beer instead.
Tip: The operator counts more than 300 different beers across a year, so the taps change constantly.