Bars in Lyon 🍸

The 7th arrondissement is the undisputed capital for cheap rounds. Walk around Jean Macé or Guillotière and you'll hit clusters of spots where a pint won't break a tenner. You can find real-time price drops and happy hour deals on Seeker Social (Android / iOS).

Expect to pay between €4 and €6 for a pint during happy hour. Outside of those hours, it usually climbs to €7 or €8. If you're looking for something more specialized like craft brews, you might want to check out brewery bars in Lyon where the quality is higher for a similar price point.

Guillotière and the 1st arrondissement near Hôtel de Ville are the primary hubs. The 1st feels more vertical with steep streets and crowded doorways. Most people start at a low-key spot and end the night at dance bars in Lyon once the tables are cleared away after midnight.

Yes, several spots in the 7th have foosball or cheap pool tables. Some bars even host trivia nights on Tuesdays or Wednesdays to bring people in mid-week. It's a solid way to meet people without having to shout over techno. Crowds here are usually friendly and very local.

Honestly, it's a bit of a struggle after 9pm on a Friday. Most of these places are small and fill up fast. If you're with a group, try to arrive before the happy hour ends. You can check which bars are currently packed by using the map on Seeker Social (Android / iOS).

Weeknights usually wrap up around 1am. On weekends, many stay open until 3am, especially in the 1st and 7th. If you want to stay out later, you'll need to head to the clubs or the barges along the river. Those stay alive until dawn but the drinks definitely aren't student-priced.

Most places take cards now, but some smaller dives have a €10 or €15 minimum. It's annoying. Carrying a few 5-euro notes is smart if you only plan on having one drink before moving on. ATMs are easy to find near the metro stations like Saxe-Gambetta if you get stuck.