10 Best Bars in Toulouse and the Languedoc, France

Begin your night on the town at Au Père Louis, a venerable bar and restaurant that has been a local fixture since 1889, with barrels used as tables.

You'll find Bar Basque among the many watering holes around Place St-Pierre. It turns into a dance party after 11.

A somewhat raucous crowd is drawn to this very popular Place St-Pierre dive.

At this stylish wine bar, epicureans can choose from 500 wines by the glass and more than 4,000 bottles—or settle in for a full meal, offering dishes (including vegetarian only) with wine pairings.

If you don't mind a short bus ride across the Garonne, take Line 12 to the front of a small concert hall and restaurant filled with an eclectic, all-ages crowd; most are regulars who come for the great bistro menu and a musical lineup featuring top Toulouse acts, including jazz groups who once played at the famous (now closed) Mandala.

Ready to dance? Le Purple is a hot multispace disco. Anyone over 30 is likely to feel out of place here.

Le Mandala reigned as the best jazz space in Toulouse for decades, only to close its doors in 2014. It's now been reborn as Le Taquin, with a lauded and eclectic program of five-nights-a-week live music.

This Irish-style pub lives up to its name, with young people from around the world crowding the bar. It's popular with rugby fans, so be ready for some cheerful noise during rugby matches.