For a great baptism into the world of Quebec beer, try the venerated micro-brewery, Bar L'Inox. Sit in the main dining room with high ceilings, at the metallic bar or outside on the terrace and enjoy beer brewed on-site. Just like the drinkers, the popular flavours (such as the coriander-infused Trouble-Fête) soon become regulars. Whether it's a blonde, white, amber, red or brown drop you're after, you're sure to find a craft beer that will delight.

The hip Boudoir Lounge is part restaurant, part low-key nightclub in the Nouvo Saint-Roch. A spot where well-heeled locals come to party, DJs play an eclectic mix of dance tunes as well as laidback lounge numbers at the weekend. The excellent signature cocktails would be the main draw here if they weren't outshone by the grooviest game room in the city, which boasts pool tables, Wii consoles and Pac-Man machines.

This gem of a pub is tucked away in a stone cellar in one of the oldest surviving house dating back to 1754. It is the perfect place to try Quebec's wide selection of beers including microbrews, ciders, draught ale and maple whiskey. In the summer there is a small terrace outside and in the darker months, a fireplace warms the stone walls and vaulted ceilings. Its hearty French onion soup is another speciality.

Many of the city's bars have dancefloors and an atmosphere that becomes more club-like later on in the evening, but Dagobert is a full on, three-floored club that's housed in a refurbished mansion. Heavy-hitting punk and rock bands play on the first floor while big name DJs spin a level up. The third storey looks down onto the dancefloor and is the perfect perch for people watching or chilling out.

Having been open for over 30 years, cabaret bar Le Drague is Quebec City's main gay dance venue. Split into several 'zones', it features a front outdoor terrace with bar, a two-level disco where drag shows are held, a club zone with DJs and a relaxed cocktail lounge. Not just for the LGBT community, Le Drague is hetero-friendly too.

Set up in a gutted château-like mansion, Maurice is still going strong after opening over a decade ago. Part of a complex of bars and restaurants, you can grab a bite to eat on the terrace at the VooDoo Grill, enjoy a cocktail in a private alcove at the Charlotte Ultra Lounge or enjoy a smoke at the Société Cigare in large leather chairs. The main dancefloor is in a massive room with an analogue sound system that lets DJs really pump it up.

A great place to plug into the local culture, the Impérial de Québec has had a fascinating history. It started off as a lumberyard, became a noodle factory and was then turned into a cinema in 1917. Finally it switched allegiances and was developed into a live theatre venue in 1996. Today it hosts a wide variety of music and performers ranging from country to electronica. Annexed to the larger theatre is the Le Petit Imperial, a more intimate stage that hosts blues groups and performers.

One of the most dynamic venues in Quebec's trendy downtown district of Saint-Roch, live music takes its place next to regular art exhibitions, a late night bar and restaurant.

One of the more popular Boites à chansons, Théâtre Petit Champlain welcomes a mix of music to its small stage. Expect to see Québécois folk music and Quebecois jazz and blues in this intimate setting, which has two levels: a modest cabaret area with tables and chairs, plus a mezzanine with theatre seats. Théâtre Petit Champlain doesn't restrict itself to just French music but invites independent artists and well known performers to test its speakers too.

Quebec City's most prestigious venue hosts some of the city's largest theatrical productions, in addition to concerts. Le Grand Théâtre is home to the city's main symphony orchestra, the century-old Orchestre Symphonique de Québec; the Opéra de Québec; and the Théâtre du Trident, which performs modern French works and translations of American and European plays. It also features performances by visiting soloists and orchestras organised by the Club Musical de Québec music society.