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Quebec City Nightlife

Within the Old Town, there are 'boites à chansons' (intimate and lively venues featuring solo singers or small groups of musicians using singing Celtic-tinged Québécois folk music), classy hotel lounge bars, pubs and more alternative hangouts, especially on and around rue Saint-Jean. West of Place D'Youville, rue Saint-Jean becomes more laidback, 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 cutting edges clubs are in the Nouvo Saint-Roch district.

Quebec City's cultural scene runs the gamut from the high aspects of opera and symphony to clubs with live jazz, blues, rock and dance music. While there is a healthy experimental dance and theatre scene, larger mainstream performances often consist of light-hearted musicals. The best way to appreciate the culture, however, is during one of the city’s 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), the bilingual QuébecScope (www.quebecscope.com) or VoilàQuébec (www.voilaquebec.com). Tickets for many events are available from Réseau Billetech outlets (www.billetech.com), as well as the venues themselves.

Bars in Quebec City

Bar L'Inox

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.

Address: Upper Town, 655 rue Grande-Allée Est, Quebec City, G1R 2K4
Telephone: +1 418 692 2877.
Website: http://www.brasserieinox.com

Boudoir Lounge

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.

Address: Saint-Roch, 441 rue du Parvis, Quebec City, G1K 9L6
Telephone: +1 418 524 2777.
Website: http://www.boudoirbarpizza.com

Pub L’Oncle Antoine

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.

Address: Basse-Ville (Lower Town), 29 Rue St-Pierre, Old Quebec, G1K 3Z3
Telephone: +1 418 694 9176.

Clubs in Quebec City

Dagobert

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.

Address: Montcalm District, 600 Grande Allée Est, Quebec City, G1R 2K5
Telephone: +1 418 522 0393.
Website: http://dagobert.ca

Le Drague

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.

Address: Saint Jean-Baptiste district, 815 rue Saint-Augustin, Quebec City, G1R 3N4
Telephone: +1 418 649 7212.
Website: http://www.ledrague.com

Maurice

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.

Address: Montcalm District, 575 Grande Allée Est, Quebec City, G1R 1A1
Telephone: +1 418 931 4625.
Website: http://www.mauricenightclub.com

Live music in Quebec City

Impérial de Québec

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.

Address: Saint-Roch, 252, rue Saint-Joseph Est, Quebec, G1K 3A9
Telephone: +1 418 523 2227.
Website: http://www.imperialdequebec.com

Le Cercle

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.

Address: , 228 Rue Saint-Joseph Est, Quebec City, G1K 3A9
Telephone: +1 418 948 8648.
Website: http://www.le-cercle.ca

Théâtre Petit Champlain Maison de la Chanson

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.

Address: Basse-Ville (Lower Town), 78 rue du Petit-Champlain, Old Quebec, G1K 4H4
Telephone: +1 418 692 2631.
Website: http://www.theatrepetitchamplain.com

Classical music in Quebec City

Grand Théâtre de Québec

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.

Address: Saint-Jean-Baptiste, 269 boulevard René-Lévesque East, Quebec City, G1R 2B3
Telephone: +1 418 643 8131.
Website: http://www.grandtheatre.qc.ca

Dance in Quebec City

Theatres in Quebec City

Music and Dance in Quebec City

Culture in Quebec City

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Le Clos Saint-Louis

The lavish attention to detail in these joined mid-19th-century townhouses makes staying here a treat. Gorgeous antiques feature in the elegant parlour and dining room (where a free continental breakfast is served in low season), and they make an appearance in the 18 bedrooms as well, where area rugs soften the hardwood floors, and televisions are hidden away in armoires to preserve the romantic Victorian atmosphere. This hotel is a gem! But don't just take our word for it: thousands of travellers on the Tripadvisor website once voted it Best Hidden Gem in Canada.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

The grandest of Quebec City's hotels is the city's chief landmark, a red-brick, mock-medieval tower topped by a steep copper roof and perched on the edge of the cliff overlooking the St Lawrence. Its 611 rooms have benefited from a multimillion dollar refurbishment project; each stately and grand in appearance if occasionally a bit small, but that's made up for by the prime location, with its gastronomic Le Champlain restaurant and Le Café de la Terrasse overlooking the scenic Dufferin Terrace promenade.

Le Manoir des Ramparts

This hotel, located in the heart of Old Québec, might not win any prizes for design, but it offers very reasonable accommodation at a very decent price, and some rooms have an exceptional view of the St Lawrence River and Laurentian Mountains. Most of the 34 bedrooms have a private bathroom, television and telephone, but eight budget rooms have shared shower and toilet facilities. Continental breakfast is included in the price.

Hotel Le Cavalier du Moulin

This 19th century property in Old Québec is blessed with historic character and charm. Located just a stone's throw from many of the city's most iconic sights, some of the rooms come preserved with their original stone walls and fireplaces, and all are equipped with air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi.

Hôtel Le Germain-Dominion

The 60 loft-like rooms in this warmly minimalist boutique hotel are full of nice touches like blown-glass basins lit from beneath, chunky wooden blinds (revealing terrific views over the St Lawrence River from the upper floors) and home comforts like down duvets and bathrobes. Breakfast (included in the price) is served at large communal tables, a reception area and two meeting rooms cater to business needs and there's a complimentary cappuccino/espresso bar. The staff provide discreet, impeccable service.

Hôtel Manoir Victoria

This comfortable 4-star hotel, just up the hill from the train station, is tucked discreetly behind the main shopping street in the Old Town and is handy for exploring the sights. Low-key lighting and thick carpets give a hushed feel and the 156 well-appointed rooms and suites, done up in earth tones, are a good size. For relaxing there is a pool, sauna, fitness room and spa treatments.