Night life

THE streets of Dieppe may look more deserted than those of Brighton when night falls. But there is a lot going on in many cafes and clubs, to suit all ages and many tastes.

For mature tastes, the Europe and Epsom bars at opposite ends of the seafront stay open until midnight or well after, and they may have live music to accompany the cocktails and snacks (every Friday at the Epsom, and on the last Friday of the month at the Europe when Bryan Woy, Erik Schando and their trad jazz group perform).

For young ravers, the hottest spot in town in 2010 is DIX9, at 19 Rue St Rémy. Formerly the Brunswick, it opens from 6pm to 7am, with a live concert on Friday night. And, apart from the music, ranging from pop-rock to club music and R&B, you can dance in one of the rooms.

On the more old-fashioned club scene, you could be attracted to Dieppe’s biggest dance floor: L’Abordage at the Casino or the huge cellars of the Manhattan, in the Rue Duquesne. And the Pirate, at the end of the Quai Henri IV, rocks through the night.

The long-established Scottish Pub in the Rue St Jacques, has rock in the cellar and, if you are a draught Guinness fan, you will find the jet black liquid at the Cambridge Arms in the Rue de l’Epée, sometimes with music.

A colourful addition to the local scene is the Solo wine bar, open from 6pm to midnight Tuesday to Saturday, at the sea end of the Rue de Sygogne. Nathalie and Didier offer an eclectic musical choice from CDs, plus snacks and excellent wines from the Luberon. After midnight, Bernard Françoise (who is a Dieppe institution) may admit you to his hidden night bar, la Boussole at 33 Rue du Boeuf, just off the Quai Duquesne. Leave quietly before daybreak. Dieppe is no Brighton or San Francisco, but male gays can find a sauna, L’Incognito, at 26 Quai Duquesne. Information about the local gay scene is on http://www.gaynormandie.com/dieppe/ After a night clubbing, you could be hungry. The Kasbah, in the Rue de la Morinière, has an «après soirée» service between 4.30am and 6.30am when you may be served with a “steak frites” or a plate of cheesy noodles: reminiscent of the “soupe à l’oignon” we could find around Les Halles after a long night out in Paris.