Le Bistrot Plage ★ 4.1
€€€Vallon des Auffes (7e)Daily 09:00-21:00
Le Bistrot Plage on the Corniche above Vallon des Auffes in Marseille's 7e is the lifeguarded private beach and tapas terrace looking out to the Frioul.
Tip: Cocktails €12-16 from 18:00 on the terrace; the private beach below charges a daybed fee but is free to walk through.
Carry Nation ★ 4.6
€€€Castellane (6e)Tue-Thu 19:00-02:00, Fri 16:00-02:00, Sat 18:00-02:00, closed Sun-Mon
Carry Nation in Marseille's 6e Castellane is the city's first speakeasy, opened 2011 behind the storefront of a souvenir shop, with a 40-seat Prohibition-era.
Tip: Book on the website to receive the address and door code by email; cocktails €13-16. Capacity is 40 so weekend slots go a fortnight ahead.
CopperBay ★ 4.4
€€€Notre-Dame du Mont (6e)Tue-Sat 18:00-01:00, closed Sun-Mon
CopperBay in Marseille's 6e Notre-Dame du Mont is the marine-themed cocktail bar on Boulevard Notre Dame, a Paris-Marseille two-city project with blue-tiled.
Tip: Cocktails €11-14, wines from €7 by the glass; tapas €5-9 to share. Closed Sunday-Monday, busiest Friday after 21:00.
Polikarpov ★ 4.1
€€Vieux Port (1er)Daily 08:00-01:30
Polikarpov on Cours Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves in Marseille's 1er is the city's smallest vodka bar, named after the Russian fighter plane, with a 25-vodka.
Tip: Vodka shots €5, cocktails €9-12; the south-facing pedestrian terrace is the spot from 18:00. Cards accepted.
L'Unic Bar ★ 4.0
€€Vieux Port (1er)Mon-Sat 17:00-02:00, closed Sun
L'Unic Bar on Cours Jean Ballard in Marseille's 1er is the eclectic-decor cocktail counter just off the Vieux Port, with a long pavement terrace.
Tip: Cocktails €9-12; the back room with the antique-shop fittings is the calmer corner once the terrace fills.
Le Pulse ★ 4.2
€€Cours Julien (6e)Tue-Sat 18:00-02:00, closed Sun-Mon
Le Pulse on Cours Julien in Marseille's 6e is the queer bar at the south end of the artists' terrace, with a wide pavement table run, a small dance room.
Tip: Closed Sun-Mon; arrive 19:00 for a terrace seat, the dancefloor opens 23:00. Cards accepted, no cover at the door.