Here’s Absolu Living’s gay guide to Nice, so you can find the very best gay venues in the heart of the Côte d’Azur!

Nice is fast becoming the second most gay-friendly city in France after Paris, leapfrogging both Montpellier and Lyon. In the past ten years, the town, traditionally a right-wing stronghold, has grown to become the gay capital of the Mediterranean coast, ahead of Marseille.

The presence of local politicians at the opening ceremony of the region's first LGBT community centre is one sign of changing attitudes, while the Bonaparte neighbourhood is known by many as the ‘petit Marais’ in a nod to Paris’ gay village. The local tourist information office has its own gay-friendly policy.

Today, Nice has over a dozen gay bars, as well as gay saunas, gay clubs and countless gay beaches.

Here at Absolu Living, we also suggest you try some of Nice’s gay beaches so you can enjoy some of the sexiest guys on the Mediterranean coast.

Visit Nice with Absolu Living and see who’s flying the rainbow flag

Gay restaurants and cafés in Nice

La Civette du cours, 1 cours Saleya— the perfect place to see and be seen. The rather average food is the price to pay for the huge terrace and a prime location, so it’s a better choice for an aperitif at the start of the evening.

Le Côté Marais, 4 rue Pontin — a top-quality, but expensive, gay restaurant. Located in a quiet side street, you can’t fail to be charmed by the palette of coastal hues used from the tables through to the bathroom in the cosy interior. The food is a mixture of traditional French cooking and everyday dishes made using local produce. Dishes like a soup of foie gras and lentils are both original and delicious. To top it off, the waiters are warm and friendly. If you can afford to spend around €30-€50 per head, then it’s unmissable, but reservation is essential.

Le Fenocchio, 2 Place Rosseti — a famous local ice-cream maker. There are some unusual choices amongst the 94 flavours on offer, including cactus, lavender, thyme, basil & tomato and avocado, and they’re all made on site, along with a range of other frozen treats. This family business has been a hit since 1966 and now has a second shop in Nice.

Le Gossip,7 rue Bonaparte on the corner of rue Boyer. You should try the home-made burgers in this brasserie, where there’s a cosy atmosphere and an incredibly warm welcome from the owner who will do anything to make you feel at home.

Le Pinxcho, 7 rue Bonaparte — right in the heart of gay Nice. The modern design and the inventive cuisine combine to make this an excellent choice.

Le Sapore, place du Pin— this cool restaurant offers the most modern cooking in Nice and is an unmissable stop for foodies.

Le Thyjeff’s, 7 rue Emmanuel-Philibert — the one spot where the whole gay community comes together. There’s a great atmosphere and a warm welcome for everybody.

Le Makassar, 5 rue Alexandre Mari — owner Jessica has put together an elegant design, a great wine list and some excellent food.

Gay saunas and gay sex clubs in Nice

Nice has five gay sex clubs.

Les Bains Douches,7 rue Gubernatis — the most popular sauna, and very busy at peak times. The decoration might be rather plain but the staff are lovely and it’s always perfectly clean. 

Le Block,10 rue Gilly — the biggest sex club on the Côte d’Azur and has special underwear and naked theme nights. There’s also a sauna in the basement.

Le Cercle, 16 avenue Clément Ader — well-known for its Sunday night foam parties. It is, however, rather pricey.

L’Eagle,18 bis rue Emmanuel-Philibert — a cruising spot popular with bears.

Le Traxx, 11 Avenue Foch — a very lively sex club for local guys and their admirers.

Gay bars and gay clubs in Nice

There aren’t many gay clubs in Nice. Since the legendary Klub closed its doors, there are only two gay clubs left: the High and the Blue Boy, but Nice’s gay bars often throw parties to keep you dancing all night long.

For lesbians, the Jazz Rock Café organises its girls-only ‘MADmoiZelles’ party every month. Another popular monthly outing is the ‘Rainbow Power’ party at the High.

Le Six, 6 rue Raoul Bosio — this bar’s two floors of belle époque interior are firm favourites with the in crowd. It’s popular with some of the coolest people in Nice, gay or straight, but the door staff can be choosey. It’s open very late so you can have a great time if you make it in.

Le Glam, 6 rue Eugene Emmanuel— is very popular and despite being a recent addition to the scene, the bar’s dancefloor has become something of an institution for many in Nice. You’ll find all sorts of guys at the various theme nights.

Le Fard, 25 promenade des Anglais — you're always guaranteed a great time in this eccentric bar overlooking the sea.

Pink Parade : Nice’s gay pride takes over the promenade des Anglais

Nice’s annual gay pride celebration is known locally as the Pink Parade and takes place in mid-July after other pride marches have finished elsewhere in France. It’s organised by a local charity, AGLAE, and as with other pride marches, local bars and clubs have their own floats, as do other organisations. Every year, the parade makes its way along the famous promenade des Anglais seafront.

What are you waiting for?  Absolu Living Nice is just waiting to help you enjoy your very own salade niçoise—the local speciality par excellence—and we’ll be only to happy to point you in the direction of the city’s best spots.