The best way to see the city's architectural heritage is by night, when over 100 sites are illuminated. Like most international cities, Lyon has a good selection of bars, clubs, cafes, theatres, a casino and many other features. Old Lyon, the banks of the Saône, the Presqu'île and Croix Rousse are the liveliest districts at night. There is a wide variety of bars or pubs scattered all over the city and it is not always easy to choose between Irish, English, Latino, Cuban and the exotic among the range of watering holes available. There are also traditional Lyonnais bars. Cyber cafes are becoming ever more popular in Lyon and these are generally open quite late. There are many nightclubs in Lyon, catering for all tastes, although smart dress is advised (no jeans or trainers).

Bars can serve alcohol until 0300 and the minimum age for drinking is 18. The average price for a draught beer is about €3 and between €3 and €4 for a glass of wine in most bars in Lyon.

Information on Lyon's nightlife is available online (www.webcity.com or www.lyonweb.net/sortir.htm or www.sortirlyon.org). Having accessed the main pages, users then have to search under ‘Lyon'. Information in print is found in Lyon Poche, Lyon Débrouille (website: www.lyondebrouille.com), Lyon Jour et Nuit and Le Petit Paumé.

Bars: The New Albion, 12 rue Ste-Catherine, is a popular English-style bar with two giant screens for concerts and sporting events, a dartboard and a wide selection of draught beers. There are gigs on Wednesdays, from 2130 (jazz, soul, rhythm and blues). The Saint-James's Pub, 19 rue St-Jean, is a traditional Irish tavern, with Irish music, a dartboard and pool tables. Latin-style pubs, such as Le Moana, 20 quai Pierre Scize, Quartier St Paul, guarantee exotic décor and drinks. For a more traditional Lyonnais feel, there is Le 110 Vins or Café du Soleil, rue Saint Georges. Café Théatre La Maison de Guignol, 2 montée du Gourguillon St Georges-Vieux, is a typical Lyonnais cafe that has references to the famous puppet in its décor.

Clubs: L'Alibi, 13 quai Romain (website: www.alibi.com), plies an up-for-it crowd with eclectic sounds from techno to salsa. New Hollywood, 6 rue Henri Barbusse (website: www.newhollywood.fr), appeals to nostalgia fans with swing and jive and Le Loft, 7 rue Renan (website: www.loftclub.fr), is the place to head for student nights and themed parties.

Live Music: Transbordeur, 3 boulevard Stalingrad (website: www.transbordeur.fr), has two performance spaces; a larger one for established international acts and a smaller stage for local bands. Ninkasi, 267 rue Marcel Merieux (website: www.ninkasi.fr), a slick venue that brews its own beer, has a regular programme of live bands and DJs. Le Marché Gare, 34 rue Casimir-Périer, a recent addition to the scene, promotes new music from reggae to heavy metal.