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.
Food program: Aperitif tapas and Provencal small plates
Tip: Open daily 7am-2am; jazz concerts Wednesday and Friday October to May.
Address: 34 Quai du Port, 13002 Marseille
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
