WHERE TO HAVE A GREAT NIGHT OUT IN NOUMÉA?

If there’s one tradition you shouldn’t miss in Nouméa, it’s watching the sun go down over the sea! What’s better than the bars at the “BD” (Baie des Citrons) to grab a drink after work? Here are our top 5 places to sip a cocktail at dusk:

1. The MV Lounge:the perfect spot to enjoy the last rays with your feet in the sand!
2. L’Endroit: right above the MV, relaxed atmosphere, with pool and darts games.
3. L’Étrave: breathtaking sea views, at Anse Vata.
4. Le Bout du Monde: a friendly atmosphere right next to the boats, at port Moselle.

We love crafting our own cocktails and getting tips from a mixology pro at the Rooftop!

Want to have a fun evening with your friends? You’ll be spoilt for choice among the city’s bars! Here’s a (non-exhaustive) list of places to meet up:

– The neighbourhood of Baie des Citrons: la Barca, les 3 Brasseurs (3B), le Bohème. Each has its own vibe, with live concerts on some evenings. It’s not unusual to do the rounds of the BD.

– Latin Quarter:looking for a change of scene? Try the Art Café in the Latin Quarter! It’s a true locals’ bar, with a cosy atmosphere that’s reminiscent of a small neighbourhood pub.

– The neighbourhood of Motor Pool: A true institution for many Nouméans, the Fronton is a gathering place for friends and families in search of a welcoming atmosphere. The place is on fire during the Ferias held several times a year!

We love: The Fronton’s spacious outdoor area: perfect for kids to play while parents enjoy a wide selection of beers and pizzas.

Is tonight a party night in Nouméa? Head to Anse Vata to groove to the beat of the DJs until the early morning hours! The night often starts at La Bodega, tthe bar on stilts where you can warm up on the dance floor. Open from late afternoon until 2 a.m., the atmosphere gradually comes to life with live concerts and DJs to dance the night away with friends. Next, head to the XO Club, on the same pontoon, for a clubbing atmosphere, or at the MV Lounge. Each of these nightclubs lets you party in Nouméa all night long!

We love :When the Îlot Canard hosts wild parties like the Tropical Full Moon or the Retro Parties.

You like to dance, but not necessarily to the sound of DJs? No worries, some bars in Nouméa offer themed nights! Here are some of the dances you can learn or practice in Nouméa:

• Tango: at Code Bar or at Chai de l’hippodrome
• Latino-bachata: at Code Bar and at XO Club
• Swing and lindy-hop: at Code Bar and at la Bodega
• Salsa and kizomba: at XO Club, at Code Bar

There are also festivals, like burlesque or kizomba dance festivals, held in Nouméa every year.

Nouméa has two casinos, the Casino Royal, located at Anse-Vata and the Grand Casino du Méridien located near the hotel of the same name. Open late into the night, it offers a quality restaurant where you can enjoy a meal. But the real institution in Nouméa and throughout New Caledonia is, of course, Bingo! Grab your membership card  and enter the huge hall opposite the Quai Ferry. Get one, two, or three cards and focus because the numbers are called out at high speed and the winners follow one another quickly with cries of “Quiiine” and “Binngo”!

If you’d like to combine a fun night out with friends and bingo, head to the “Bal de la Bodega”. Every third Thursday of the month, Janice invites you to a wild night. A friendly, free bingo where winners compete in an Air guitar contest! The dance floor then comes alive to the sound of hits past and present. Do you love board games? Head for the Fronton! Every Tuesday night, the establishment hosts a special evening in partnership with the Ludik store. A goldmine for discovering the best games of the moment.

Many bars in Anse Vata and Baie des Citrons offer free live concerts by Caledonian and international artists. These include La Barca, Les 3B and La Bodega. But there are many others! During music festivals or major concerts at Kuendu Beach or the Païta Arena, it’s not uncommon for artists to pop up in the town’s bars.