Bootlegger ★ 4.2
€€BouffayMon-Tue 18:00-00:00; Wed-Sat 18:00-02:00; closed Sun
Bootlegger works a prohibition theme on Rue Kervégan on the Île Feydeau in Nantes, the bar happy to build cocktails that are not on the card.
Tip: Ask for something off-menu rather than reading the list; happy hour runs 18:00 to 21:00 Monday to Saturday.
L'Univers ★ 3.9
€€GraslinTue-Thu 16:00-02:00; Fri-Sat 16:00-04:00; closed Sun-Mon
L'Univers keeps a speakeasy-styled room off Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Nantes, food and concerts early then drinking through to 04:00 at weekends.
Tip: It runs two hours later than most Graslin bars on Friday and Saturday, which makes it a useful second stop.
Le Montecito ★ 3.9
€€BouffayTue-Sun 16:00-02:00; closed Mon
Le Montecito is the gay cocktail bar of Nantes on Allée Duquesne, with drag shows and DJ nights on a programme that changes through the month.
Tip: Monday is the one dark night; it sits close enough to Bouffay to fold into a wider bar crawl.
Le Plein Sud ★ 4.0
€DecréWed-Sun 16:00-02:00; closed Mon-Tue
Le Plein Sud is described by local press as the oldest gay bar in Nantes, a relaxed terrace room near the cathedral rather than a dance floor.
Tip: It opens from late afternoon, so it works as the early stop before the Kervégan clubs get going.
Le Petit Marais ★ 4.1
€€BouffayMon-Thu 21:00-04:00; Fri-Sat 20:00-04:00; Sun 18:00-04:00
Le Petit Marais is a long-standing fixture of queer nightlife on the Île Feydeau in Nantes, DJ nights and drag under a lit ceiling.
Tip: It runs seven nights to 04:00, which is rare in Nantes, and the door stays busy long after the Bouffay bars have shut.
Voyage Voyage ★ 4.4
€€BouffayTue-Wed 18:00-00:00; Thu 12:00-14:00 and 18:00-01:00; Fri 12:00-14:00 and 18:00-02:00; Sat 12:00-14:30 and 18:00-02:00; closed Sun-Mon
Voyage Voyage is the audiophile bistro of Maxence Jerusel in central Nantes, with worked acoustics and turntables built into the bar counter itself.
Tip: Bring your own vinyl or pull from the 1,000 records kept on site; weekend concerts and DJ sets start around 22:00.