Cocktail bars, wine bars, dive bars and gastropubs: drinking in Marseille for grown-ups.

Where to drink

Carry Nation ★ 4.6

Speakeasy cocktail bar

Carry Nation in Marseille's 6e is a hidden speakeasy named for the hatchet-wielding temperance activist, prohibition-era cocktails behind a door you have to find using the bar's website.

Signature drink: Prohibition-era cocktails

Food: Small bar snacks

Tip: Open Wed-Sun 19:00-02:00; check the website for the entry procedure.

6 Rue Jules Moulet, 13006 Marseille

La Caravelle ★ 4.5

Jazz bar

La Caravelle in Marseille's 2e hangs over the Vieux Port on the first floor of the Hotel Belle-Vue since the 1920s, the most coveted balcony in the city for the sunset pastis order.

Signature drink: Pastis at sunset on the balcony

Food: Aperitif tapas and Provencal small plates

Tip: Open daily 7am-2am; jazz concerts Wednesday and Friday October to May.

34 Quai du Port, 13002 Marseille

Bar de la Marine ★ 4.3

Historic harbour bar

Bar de la Marine in Marseille's 7e has stood on Quai de Rive Neuve since 1929, the Pagnol-trilogy setting with 1930s decor intact, Marseille colours and a model-boat shelf above the zinc.

Signature drink: Pastis and Marseillais aperitif

Food: Bistro tapas and lunch plates

Tip: Open daily 7am-2am; the terrace fills on weekend evenings with the youth crowd.

15 Quai de Rive Neuve, 13007 Marseille

Le Petit Pernod ★ 4.1

Historic Mediterranean brasserie bar

Le Petit Pernod in Marseille's 2e is one of the oldest establishments on the Old Port, fully renovated after a 2022 fire, the soul of the Vieux Port at the front terrace for an aperitif.

Signature drink: Pernod and pastis on the Vieux Port

Food: Mediterranean brasserie plates

Tip: Open daily; the terrace looks straight across the harbour to Saint-Victor Abbey.

10 Quai du Port, 13002 Marseille

Mama Shelter Rooftop ★ 4.0

Hotel rooftop bar

Mama Shelter Marseille's rooftop in the 6e near Cours Julien is the hotel's open-air bar, no reservations, cocktails and small plates with a panoramic look across the rooftops.

Signature drink: Aperitif cocktails with a city view

Food: Bar snacks and pizza

Tip: No reservations on the rooftop; weekend evenings fill up by 19:30.

64 Rue de la Loubiere, 13006 Marseille

Le Pelle-Mele ★ 4.2

Jazz club and cocktail bar

Le Pelle-Mele in Marseille's 1er on Place aux Huiles is the city's longest-running jazz bar, a small terrace and a stage inside, homemade tapas to go with the cocktails and wines.

Signature drink: Classic cocktails with live jazz

Food: Tapas and bistro plates

Tip: Live music most nights; small room, arrive before 21:00 for a seat.

8 Place aux Huiles, 13001 Marseille

Le Melo ★ 4.0

Cocktail bar and dance floor

Le Melo in Marseille's 6e on Cours Julien is a bar-restaurant with a dance floor, cocktails on the menu and DJ sets Thursday to Saturday pulling the late La Plaine crowd.

Signature drink: House cocktail menu with DJ sets

Food: Small bar plates

Tip: Open Thursday to Saturday 19:00-02:00; other nights by reservation only.

68 Cours Julien, 13006 Marseille

Bars in Marseille, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in Marseille?

Peak food season in Marseille is year-round.

What time do people eat in Marseille?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in Marseille?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in Marseille?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Marseille rewards trust.

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