Le Purple ★ 4.0
capitole
Le Purple on Rue Castellane is the canonical Toulouse dance club with house and techno from 23:30, two rooms, and a late-night close at 06:00 on weekends.
Tip: Open Thursday to Saturday from 23:30; entry €12, free before midnight with Toulousebonplan promo.
Le Mandala ★ 4.2
carmes
Le Mandala on Rue des Amidonniers is Toulouse's longest-running jazz bar, with live sets six nights a week, cocktails and a small back-of-room kitchen.
Tip: Live jazz sets six nights at 21:30 and 23:30; the cocktails plus charcuterie plate is the canonical evening pair.
Le Rex de Toulouse ★ 4.2
compans-caffarelli
Le Rex on Avenue Honore Serres is the canonical Toulouse live-music venue, with indie, rock, hip-hop and electronic gigs, a 500-capacity room and weekend club nights.
Tip: Concert schedule Wednesday and Thursday; on Friday and Saturday the room switches to club mode with techno, electronic, house and disco.
Mama Shelter Toulouse Rooftop ★ 4.1
saint-aubin
Mama Shelter Toulouse Rooftop on Boulevard Lazare Carnot is planted-terrace hotel rooftop with frozen margaritas, sunset views over the Canal du Midi and DJs.
Tip: Sunset to midnight is the busier service; the frozen margarita and the bao bun pair is the canonical summer order.
L'Agence ★ 4.4
capitole
L'Agence on Rue du Languedoc is the canonical Toulouse speakeasy, hidden behind a real-estate-agency storefront and a sliding library, with a tight cocktail list.
Tip: Door bookings online via the bar's site; arrive on time, the room fills fast on Friday and Saturday.
Shanghai Bar ★ 4.0
saint-pierre
Shanghai Bar on Rue de la Pomme is the canonical Toulouse LGBTQ bar with cocktails, weekly drag nights, a small dance floor and a 02:00 weekend close.
Tip: Thursday drag nights from 22:00; the small dance floor runs to 02:00 Friday and Saturday.