Monaco and in particular Monte Carlo is the pinnacle of the wealthy with luxury cars, luxury yachts, luxury restaurants and high-end nightclubs. It is the champagne lifestyle. You won’t find many dive bars here. It’s such a revered place it spawned a classic cocktail, the Monte Carlo, much like the Manhattan (2 ounces rye whiskey, 1/2 ounce Benedictine and 1 dash Angostura bitters).
The interesting thing about nightlife in Monaco and Monte Carlo, tho, is not the bars and nightclubs but the price of beer and drinks. The cost of a beer in Monte Carlo is about around 6-7 Euros. In a high-end place like that, you would expect it to cost twice that much.
Cocktails are more, significantly more, in fact, with the cost being about 20 Euros.
Monaco & Monte Carlo Nightlife
Even Monaco ‘s nightlife is dominated by unbridled luxury . The chicest area is Monte Carlo , home to the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, the European Poker Tour and the Monte Carlo Rally.
Monte Carlo is home to one of the best casinos in the world , where many movies have even been filmed, including the famous James Bond. Gamblers and numerous international VIPs come here to experience the charm and luxury of this city.
Monte Carlo Casino Ocean’s Twelve and James Bond films.
Monaco & Monte Carlo Best Bars
Even for those who prefer to spend their time in bars and clubs going to the Casino Monte Carlo is a must-do nightlife experience. This is where James Bond and Ocean’s Twelve movies were filmed and it is a showcase of the premium lifestyle of this chic location. It is also home of Buddha-Bar, an upscale nightclub.
And there are nightclubs and bars, too. Last call is 3 a.m., on weekdays and 5 a.m., on weekends.
Jimmy’z has been one of the the city’s legendary nightclubs for more than 40 years. Located at the heart of the Sporting Monte-Carlo complex, it gets some of the world’s top DJs, including some of the hottest names in electronic dance music.
Located on a turn in the Monte-Carlo Grand Prix circuit, La-Rascasse is an indoor-outdoor bar and club with DJs Tuesdays thru Saturdays and salsa on Wednesdays in July and August and Thursday all year.
The Club at Twiga Monte Carlo is an upscale nightclub that is part of a luxurious restaurant serving Japanese and Italian cuisine. It turns into a club at 1 a.m.
Another fine restaurant that becomes a nightclub (notice a trend here?) is SASS CAFE. Known for its elegant decor and opened in 1993, it is one of the most historical venues in Monaco.
Le Bar Américain is an upscale lounge in the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo.
Nikki Beach on the rooftop of the Fairmont Monte Carlo gets jetsetters, celebrities and the occasional PubClubber. The is a daylife party place that is open during the late spring thru summer.
Le Blue Gin is another daylife party place that can turn into nightlife. A sea-themed lounge at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, its beachfront location has views of the Mediterranean from its outdoor terrace and with a DJ spinning on Fridays and Saturdays.
Monte Carlo Top Annual Events
Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix
NASCAR has Daytona and IndyCar has Indianapolis. And F1 has Monaco, the world’s premier street race. Held the end of May (May 26-28 in 2023) the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix goes through tight city streets around buildings and along the yacht-lined harbor.
Other big events are the Monaco Yacht Show (Sept. 28-Oct 1), the Monte Carlo Jazz Festival (Nov. 9-Dec. 4), the Monte Carlo Rally (late January) and the spectacular Monte Carlo International Fireworks Festival, a free event the four weekends in late July and early August.
During these events, the bars and restaurants are always busy and that adds to the nightlife scene.
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