Rennes is a student city and as a consequence, a vibrant nightlife is on offer. The man area of the nightlife/bar culture here is centered in the older area to the north of the cathedral on two roads, rue St Michel, and rue St Malo. This is not to say that this is the only area, it is just that these two roads and the area between them have the highest concentration of bars. For quieter areas and restaurants take a look around the old quartier around the cathedral and also rue st Georges, near the parliament. See the Food section.

For more detailed information on bars, restaurants and nightclubs, visit a newsagent and buy a copy of the indispensabe Petit Fute (Little Fox). This has all the information you need while actually in Rennes.

Bars | Theatre National Bretagne | UBU |

Review of Bars

This is only a small section, based on the original author's vists. It is shortened by time and budget, but mainly concentrates on the pubs that would be familiar to the English-speaking visitor.

Malony's

27 rue Legraverend
Great Irish pub, run by Coln, Vivienne and Yvonne, who really make this pub work. Great atmosphere, Guinness 30ff a pint, Bass on tap as well. Avoid the Semuse lager and go for the Tennants instead.

McCartan's

31 rue de Saint-Malo
Another true Irish pub in Rennes, Irish barstaff who also play in a local Irish group called the Churchfitters, with regular music sessions in the basement

Claddaugh Inn

rue de Dinan
Out of the way, quiet pub. nice attempt at the rustic Irish style, plenty of paraphenalia and the Irish Times is available to read here. Guiness 30ff a pint, Murphys, Kilkenny, Bass, Tennents.

Le Green Pub

3, rue Saint-Michel
Small bar, friendly French barman, Guinness on tap, a bit small.

The Nag's Head

Le Chatham

5 rue de Monfort
Naval theme pub, surrounded by British naval paraphenalia. Nice atmosphere, sometimes quiet, sometimes packed. Expensive though.

Webb Ellis

Place des Lices
Great pub this one, with friendly French bar staff who are mad about rugby. Situated on Place des Lices, the terraces and window seats catch the sun for a long time. William Webb Ellis invented rugby, by the way, and the place is filled with rugby souvenirs. There is a curious spanish sausage-eating challenge, but this author was too sober to try it.

Watson's

Sherlock Holmes

opposite TNB
English theme pub, complete with red telephone box. Expensive.

Le St Charles

24 rue Vasselot
Mentioned here as it has the largest selection on offer of whiskeys in Rennes, worth a visit.

John Doe

4 rue St-Louis
An impeccable American bar run by an American. Regular social theme nights.

Le Barantic

4 rue Saint-Mchel
This is a nice pub that goes for the broader Celtic feel rather than just imitating an Irish pub. Here you can find Murphy's Red on tap as well as Guinness. Musical tastes are more towards Breton as well.

Cinemas

Arvor

Gaumont

Colombier

Cine-TNB

There is a daily listing of film screenings in Ouest-France. Each cinema offers its own in-house magazine with listings and there is Contact Hebdo, a weekly general guide to events in Rennes. See also the events section for concert venues and cultural centres.

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Copyright 1997 Adam Edwards
Association BUG