Small showers, big parties
Have you ever wondered what it's like to experience the party nightlife of Las Vegas, but with a French twist? Well, pack your bags and join us on a journey to Nice, France, a city that we lovingly dubbed 'NiceVegas'. FYI Nice is pronounced like 'niece.'
The Nightlife
The French know how to throw a party, and Nice is no exception. In Old Nice, just two blocks from the sparkling Mediterranean waters, you'll find a nightlife scene that rivals even the most famous party cities, like our hometown Las Vegas.
After a quick walk from dinner at Bocca Mar, (the grilled marinated lamb chops were heaven) we kicked off our first night at O'Neil's pub where we enjoyed STIFF drinks and listened to live music. From there, it's a boozy blur of row after row of clubs and bars.
If you're on the port side of Nice, our favorite hidden gems were Brasserie D'Aqui — where they brew their own beer and is a great spot to watch rugby (we were in Nice during the Rugby World Cup 2023!) — and Eros Club Nice a sexy indoor and outdoor space where we danced the night away to house music. For either dinner or drinks, don't miss Le Plongeoir to ensure beautiful views of the sea and sunset. We sat in the bar area at sea level and ordered a bucket of champagne to celebrate our five year wedding anniversary!
Must Dos
Colline du Chateau | From the Promenade des Anglais take the stairs or ride up the Ascenseur du Chateau to a hilltop park that features a waterfall, historical tower and a cemetery. The stairs can be daunting but the views of the sea and city are unreal.
Marche Aux Fleurs Cours Saleya | This outdoor market features local producers of fruits, vegetables, flowers and art.
Place Massena | This area is in between Jardin Albert and the Promenade du Paillon and is surrounded by restaurants and shopping. The parks are a great place to sit, relax and people watch with a sandwich from Mr Mathieu and wine from Le Gout de Nice.
Practical Tips for Nice
Now, let's get down to some practicalities.
The main tip we have for traveling in Nice — or anywhere in the French Riviera (especially Americans) — is to plan for an extended dining experience. The dining service, wether it's breakfast, lunch, aperitif, or dinner is meant to be enjoyed and not rushed. This can be annoying when ordering another drink, waiting for food or paying for your bill. So if you're on a time crunch or get hangry like me, make sure to plan around that, but it's all part of slowing down.
While Nice boasts stunning beaches, there are lots of biting bugs and the shoreline is rocky, so don't forget to pack bug spray and water shoes. There are several pay-to-play beach clubs that are a mix of restaurant and lounge chairs. The average prices for lounge chairs are €30 and includes a chair, umbrella and towel.
If you're looking for party beach clubs with DJs every day of the week it's good to note that this experience ends early September. We traveled starting September 10th and we missed out on the party scene at the day clubs, but the nightlife made up for it.
In our opinion, the best area to stay is in Old Nice to be walking distance to beach clubs and parks. We stayed at an Airbnb next door to Le Meridian hotel and loved the area because it quieted down at night but was lively during the day. Our cousin stayed in the Quartier du Port area which was VERY quiet no matter what time of day but had beautiful views of the marina. Our friends stayed in the heart of Old Nice (between Le Meridian and Port) above bars and enjoyed the proximity and nightlife, but it was very loud all evening.
When it comes to accommodations, be prepared for some quirks. The showers in Nice are notoriously small. It's like a puzzle trying to shower without bumping into every wall! But hey, it's all part of the adventure. Another little tip: don't count on finding bar soap, conditioner or an abundance of towels in your rental. So either pack your own or grab some at the Monoprix or the Marche Aux Fleurs.
Now, let's talk about Velo Bleu, the rent a bike experience along the Promenade des Anglais. It sounds like an eco-friendly dream, right? Rent a bike, explore the city, reduce your carbon footprint. In theory, it's fantastic. In practice, it's hit or miss. Sometimes the bikes worked like a charm, most times, we found ourselves frustrated with bikes that wouldn't cooperate or stations that were mysteriously out of service.
Finally, the French have the train experience figured out and Nice is the perfect location in the French Riviera to plan day trips from. It's simple to use and tickets are inexpensive. Download the TrainLine app to easily look up the train schedule and book tickets. Taking the train with luggage (especially huge bags like ours) can be a challenge but we made it work after pissing off a few people for taking up seats.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, our adventure in Nice, the 'NashVegas' of the French Riviera. It's a city that's all about the good times, and as you navigate the rocky beaches, swat away the bugs, and figure out the quirks of your Airbnb, you'll find yourself falling in love with this vibrant and unforgettable corner of the world.
Check out more of our travel tales on our blog for all the laughs, sights, and occasional mishaps!
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