Quebec City Nightlife

Within the Old Town, there are 'boites à chansons' (intimate and lively venues featuring solo singers or small groups of musicians), classy hotel lounge bars, pubs and more alternative bars, especially on and around rue Saint-Jean. West of Place D'Youville, rue Saint-Jean becomes more laid-back, attracting students to the friendly local bars and gay men and lesbians to the small but lively gay scene. Grande Allée Est has a few good nightspots, though the most interesting developments are happening in the Saint-Roch quarter.

Quebec City's cultural scene runs the gamut from the high aspects of opera and symphony to intimate 'boites à chansons', with their Celtic-tinged Québécois folk music. While there is some experimental theatre, much of the theatre tends towards the mainstream, with larger performances often consisting of light-hearted musicals, such as Starmania and Notre-Dame de Paris. The best way for visitors to appreciate the culture, however, is during one of the large festivals.

For the latest on Quebec City's nightlife and culture scene, check the listings in the free alternative weekly Voir (www.voir.ca) or the free, bilingual tourist publications Québec Scope (www.quebecscope.com) and Voilà Québec. Tickets for many events are available from Réseau Billetech outlets (tel: (418) 643 8131; www.billetech.com), as well as the venues themselves.