Monaco Nightlife • A Complete Guide

Welcome to Monaco’s premier nightlife guide.

On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Monaco. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.

Enjoy!

An Intro to Monaco

The Principality of Monaco, a small city-state overlooking the pristine blue waters of the Mediterranean, is a place famed for its glamour and wealth. A lot of people confuse Monaco to be part of France but, Monaco is the seconded smallest country in the world only after Vatican and it is one of the most densely populated countries. It is surrounded by France on three sides and has the Mediterranean Sea on the other side. More well-known is Monte Carlo, a neighbourhood soaked in sun, money, and expensive champagne, and home to the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, the European Poker Tour, and the Monte Carlo Rally. Gamblers, Hollywood and VIPs of the world love the city for its charm and luxury. And with a Posh crowd of stars, gamblers and VIPs, how can it not a great nightlife and other arrangements to entertain them?

Monaco
Monaco at Night

The Nightlife of Monaco

Entertainment, entertainment and entertainment, this is probably the reason why the poshest of the crowds from all over the globe visit Monaco. The nightlife which begins from late in the evenings and goes on till the early hours of the morning includes pubs, bars, nightclubs, parties, live music, concerts, cabarets, theatre, cinema and other shows. But in Monaco the most famous activity is gambling. People generally gamble all day and all night. The hotels, restaurants, clubs are designed in a way to provide one of the finest experiences to the celebrities, VIPs and the rich who throng the city for entertainment. The city attracts a large number of visitors during the Monaco grand prix which is one of the biggest and most entertaining sports events in Europe and the world. And it also has a steady flow of tourists who visit the place for its gambling industry. Let us start looking at the best places in Monaco to enjoy the nightlife.

The Nightlife of Monaco

Best Locations of Monaco

A place which is surrounded by France on three sides and the beautiful Mediterranean on the other and which is just 30 miles away from the Italian riviera, can there be a better location for enjoying your nightlife? The richest and the most elite VIPS, celebrities of the world throng the city for its most happening casinos. The days in Monaco can be spent soaking in the sun from the sandy beaches of Monaco and by going for a swim in the pristine waters of the Mediterranean and the nights can be spent in the most happening clubs, restaurants and casino in Monaco. Luxury, comfort and exotic are words that can be used to best describe the facilities available for the elite in Monaco.

Monte-Carlo is home to the celebrated Monte Carlo Casino. This glamorous palace is full of frescoes, sculptures, and features an astonishing gold and marble atrium—not to mention the main attraction—gambling! Steeped in 700 years of Grimaldi royal history, Monte-Carlo’s location is stunning, tucked between French mediaeval villages and the Alps. Take in a world-class opera or ballet, bask in the sun on Larvotto Beach or get an adrenaline rush at May’s Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Monaco Ville is another attraction, also known as “le rocher” or “the rock.” Monaco-Ville is still a medieval village at heart and an astonishingly picturesque site. It is made up almost entirely of pedestrian streets and passageways and most previous century houses still remain. There a number of hotels, restaurant and souvenir shops tourists can stay, eat and shop at. You can also visit the Prince’s Palace, the Cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum, the City Hall, and the Saint Martin Gardens.

Other locations in Monaco which are important tourist attractions are:

  • La Condamine
  • Beausoleil
  • Fontvieille

Monaco is also home to number of sandy and pristine beaches where you can soak in all the sun and relax to the sound of waves. These pristine beaches of the Mediterranean is about 30 miles from the Italian Riviera and since they are surrounded by France on three sides they provide a great blend of best of both the worlds. Here are some of the famous beaches of Monaco:

  • La Plage d’Eze Beach (address: Eze, Monaco)
  • Baie de Garavan Beach (address: east of the port of Menton, Monaco)
  • Baie du Soleil Beach (address: west of the port of Menton, Monaco)
  • Plage du Borrego (address: Menton, Monaco)
  • Plage des Fossettes Beach (address: St Jean Cap Ferrat, Monaco)

Best Bars of Monaco

People love to drink and have fun in Monaco through the day and through the night. Champagne is the unofficial national drink of Monaco. And a glass of champagne can cost you approximately 40 euros. So be ready to empty your heavy pockets when in Monaco. Let us look at some of the classiest pubs in Monaco:

Buddha bar

Buddha bar
Buddha bar

(great ambience, DJ till early hours of morning and cool vibes)

Star ‘N’ Bars

Star ‘N’ Bars

Star ‘N’ Bars

(great location, DJ till early hours of morning and great beer)

Gerhard’s Café

Gerhard’s Café
Gerhard’s Café

(welcoming ambience, worthy cocktails and tourist friendly)

La Rascasse

La Rascasse
La Rascasse

(late night, loud music and brilliant location)

Brasserie de Monaco 

Brasserie de Monaco 
Brasserie de Monaco

(live music, DJ sets and local crafted beers)

Sass Café

Sass Café
Sass Café

(live music, world class cuisines and intimate dinner)

Nikki Beach

Nikki Beach
Nikki Beach

(rooftop bar, sophisticated view and finest gourmet foods)

Valentin café

Valentin café
Valentin café

This charming little café is in heart of Monte Carlo and is in an arcade, the Park Palace Gallery. The café brings the flavours and taste of Italy into this city with an amazing selection of coffee and the dishes. What makes the café unique and worthy of a visit is its pastries section. Also, the fact that they do not have a fixed menu; it keeps changing every day, keeping the food fresh and healthy for you to eat. The café also serves an amazing Tapas dinner, which is totally worth it.

Emilie’s Cookies

Emilie’s Cookies
Emilie’s Cookies

Located on Promenade Honore, this chic café serves one of the best cookies you will ever taste. Also, thrown in are some soothing lighting and a cozy ambiance overall. Bagels and the smoothies are also delicious at this café and worth a try. This is one of those cafes, where you take in the ambiance, while you sip on your coffee and take a bite of those cookies – all at a slow pace.

High End Restaurants in Monaco

Louis XV, Hôtel de Parisplace du Casino

Louis XV, Hôtel de Parisplace du Casino
Louis XV, Hôtel de Parisplace du Casino

In one of the finest hotels in the world, run by one of the finest chefs in the world (Alain Ducasse) this Michelin 3 star rated restaurant serves dining perfection amongst luxurious glitterati. The level of sophistication for all dishes is hard to be surpassed, the sea bass with Italian artichokes regularly reaches a score of 19/20 by restaurant critics. The restaurant contains the world’s largest wine cellar: 250,000 bottles of wine (many priceless) stashed in a rock cave. Reservations are essential, as are jacket and tie for men. 

 Le Grill de L’Hotel de Paris

 Le Grill de L’Hotel de Paris
Le Grill de L’Hotel de Paris

In the Hôtel de Paris, place du Casino. Although often overlooked by the famed ‘Louis XV’, look above to the Hotel de Paris’s rooftop for its equally elegant contender. Less intimidating than the Ducasse citadel downstairs, Le Grill offers every imaginable sort of grilled fish, and meat that come from the nearby Alps. The selection of 600,000 wines are the perfect accompaniment to every dish, and the service is impeccable. Dining on the rooftop affords you stunning, panoramic views of Monte Carlo, and in the summer, a blanket of starry sky.  

Celebrities in Monaco

Celebrities from all across the globe throng Monaco for the various things that the city has to offer. Gambling, history, night life, the beaches are few of the reasons why celebrities visit. And guess what if you are lucky you can catch one of your favourite celebrities trying with their luck in one of the casinos.
Few of the places where you can spot a celebrity are:

  • Monte Carlo casino
  • Beaches in Menton
  • Cafes
  • Pubs with live music
  • Talking a city walk tour in Monaco-Ville

The best time to visit Monaco is during the month of May when the Monaco grand prix is held, and a lot of celebrities visit the city to witness the sporting event. Apart from this the Monaco yacht show, Monte Carlos master tennis event also attracts a large number of celebrities.
Some of the celebrities who have been spotted in Monaco are:

  • Novak Djokovic
  • Bono
  • Leonardo Dicaprio
  • Beyonce and Jay Z
  • Vanessa Paradis
  • Karl Lagerfeld
  • Elton John
  • Kate Moss
  • Joan Collins
  • Naomi Campbell
  • Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button
  • Eddie Jordan
  • Ringo Starr
  • David Coulthard
  • Dame Shirley Bassey

Monaco is also home to a large number of celebrities. Let us see some trivia about these celebrities in Monaco:

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton

The four-time Formula One world champion lives in a £10 million apartment in the Fontvieille district. Hamilton is known as a celebrity often spotted on superyacht vacations, as well as his bling, his rap-star style and his scarlet Challenger private jet. He loves the Monaco lifestyle and lives in the same apartment block as Eddie Jordan.

Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr

the former Beatle resides in the highly sought-after Roccabella apartment block, owned by the Pastor family. He originally came here for tax reasons but calls here and his house in LA home.

Events in Monaco

Apart from the sandy beaches, brilliant European medieval architecture and vibrant bars, Monaco also has some of the most amazing events in the globe. These events attract a large number of tourists from all round the globe and a large number of these tourist are celebrities.
Unlike other cities here the events have a great mix of sport, fun, music and entertainment. Monaco has something for everyone. Let us look at some of the events in Monaco

Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix

Racing enthusiasts should not miss the opportunity to see Formula 1 cars whizzing through the streets of Monaco. The Monaco Grand Prix, taking place in May each year, is one of the few street racing circuits on the Formula 1 calendar and not much has changed since its inception in 1955.

Monte-Carlo International Fireworks Festival

Considered one of the best fireworks festivals in the world, this late summer event has been taking place since 1966. Scheduled in July or August, the fireworks are shot from Fort Antoine over the water by pyrotechnics from all over the world competing to put on the best show.

Monaco Yacht Show

Sailing enthusiasts should not miss the annual Monaco Yacht Show in September. Over 100 of the most beautiful and impressive yachts are on display at Port Hercules and 500 vendors come to showcase their wares, a sailing enthusiast’s dream.

Monaco International Marathon

Although this marathon is not on the major running circuit, it is the only marathon in the world that traverses three countries: France, Italy and Monaco. Between 1,000 and 2,000 people participate in this marathon annually in November.

Concerts at the Prince’s Palace

Outdoor concerts take place at the palace throughout the summer which were started by Prince Rainier III. Open to the public, visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. The venue is simply breathtaking and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra usually has a beautiful line-up of shows. Concerts begin at 9:30 p.m. and visitors are expected to be seated on time.

International Circus Festival

Started in 1974 by Prince Rainier, he personally loved circuses and wanted to create a venue where everyone could enjoy a world class show. Since then, circus acts from all over the world come to Monaco in January to perform. Judged on technical difficulty and creativity, the best performances receive the Gold and Silver Clown Awards.

Spring Arts Festival

Monaco’s annual Spring Arts Festival in April attracts artists from all around world. The festival showcases music, dance, arts, and theatre performances held in world-class venues throughout the principality. This is a popular event so tickets need to be purchased well in advance.

Night clubs in Monaco

The legal drinking/purchasing age of alcoholic beverages is 18 and is strictly enforced.

Zelos

Zelos
Zelos

Top Floor Grimaldi Forum Ave. Princesse Grace, showcasing panoramic views from the top floor of the Grimaldi Forum, the outdoor seating area offers the perfect spot to see yachts cruising into the harbor. Top models and the people who want to be with them dance the early mornings away here and we defy you not to do the same. Cocktail list is impressive, and bite sized treats are available.  

Bar at the Columbus Monaco

Bar at the Columbus Monaco
Bar at the Columbus Monaco

23 Avenue des Papalins Monte Carlo. More laidback and informal than some of its counterparts, its subdued atmosphere is a refreshing change from some of the high energy Monaco bars. Decked out in shades of chocolate, its almost as sweet as the chocolate martinis, which come with a big truffle in each glass which slowly melts into your drinks and tastes heavenly. Formula One race car driver David Coulthard is a co owner, which means you’re likely to run into some of his race car competitors.  

The timing guide for Monaco Nightlife

Monaco can be enjoyed throughout the day and night and it has something to offer to every kind of tourists. But let us look at the timing of the nightlife guide in Monaco. The nightlife generally begins late in the evening and goes on till the early hours of morning. The DJs play some electric beats through the night and live music also starts from early hours of the evening and goes till late in the evening. The best time to visit most of the places is just around mid-night, the party is already started by then and has caught some momentum. And then you can groove to the beats, dance and drink till the early hours of morning.

Conclusion

Monaco is one of the most happening places on the globe. It is surrounded by France on three sides and Mediterranean on the other. Placed about 30 miles from the Italian Riviera it is a perfect blend of culture, entertainment and luxury. The elite from all over the globe throng the city for its culture and way of life. In fact, a lot of them have gone on to make a permanent home in Monaco.
Gambling is one of the most popular attractions in Monaco. Monte Carlo has one of the best casinos in the world. And a lot of movies including the most famous James Bond have been shot here in this very casino. Other attractions like the palaces, beaches and historical monuments makes this place a heaven on earth.
Events are planned around the year and these events have something to offer for everyone. The Monte Carlo grand prix, Monte Carlo champions, the yacht show, the spring art festival and circus shows offer a great mix of events and attract a large number of tourists.
And to complement these events and to keep the posh residents and elite tourists entertained Monaco has some of the finest bars, night clubs, restaurants, pubs. Visitors have a numerous option to choose from starting from roof tops, sea view, sea bar, indoors for their choice of outing.
Champagne is the unofficial national drink of Monaco and it also offers a variety of other exotic wines, hand crafted beers and other drinks on offer. Overall Monaco is the place to be if you want to get a taste of best of Europe.

Does Monaco have good nightlife?

Monaco has become renowned for its sophisticated and glamorous nightlife. From its casinos and nightclubs to beautiful opera houses, it’s no wonder this little principality has become such a magnet for celebrities, the wealthy, and international thrill-seekers over the years.

What is the most exclusive club in Monaco?

Discover the Monaco Ambassadors Club, one of The Principality’s most prestigious institutions.

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