Terraces are where it all happens

Lounging around on a terrace in Montpellier is bliss! Here is a list of terraces (a selection) where you can enjoy an espresso or sip a glass of wine with family or friends.

• Le Café Riche (8, place de la Comédie) has existed since 1893. Only the wrought iron canopy still exists from this period, but Café Riche still has its 1900s’ look. Its sunny terrace is the meeting place for all Montpellier inhabitants who come here to chat over coffee.
• Place Jean-Jaurès, which features the statue of Jean Jaurès, an early 20th century pacifist, has a wide choice of terraces, including the essential Café Joseph (3, place Jean-Jaurès), fondly called “le Jo” by regulars. It is one of the most popular venues at apéritif time. In the evening, the Café regularly stages free concerts or a DJ for an electro mood. David Guetta has even performed here ! This is also the place to be for handball players on match days. 
• Just a stone's throw from the Prefecture, on Place du Marché aux fleurs, the vast terrace of Café de la Mer (5, place du Marché-aux-Fleurs) is another institution of Montpellier, which is cosmopolitan, eclectic and gay-friendly. The colourful tables are always very lively.
• The Coffee Club (12, rue Saint-Guilhem) with its fake New York style, has a few tables outside to enjoy a good coffee available in many variations (mocha, cappuccino, latte, etc.).
• Ideal for a cool beer in a festive and international atmosphere. On the lovely Place de la Canourgue, there is another wide choice of terraces, including the Latitude Café, which has tables in the shade of the nettle trees.

• L’Apothicaire (initially at 13, rue de ratte, in Montpellier) has moved and got a new name ! Now it’s at 8 rue du Pila Saint Gély and called “Cabinet de l’Apothicaire”. The Apothecary's bar has a remedy for every problem with original concoctions with medicinal virtues (de-stressing, detoxifying, etc.).
• Le Rhum Runner appeals to rum lovers in a cosy atmosphere (12, rue Jules Latreilhe) while the Willie Carter Shape (3, rue Collot) cultivates the mood of clandestine bars of the time of the American prohibition.

There are two great addresses in the Beaux-Arts district for exceptional cocktails:

• By Coss Bar (5, rue Belmont) and its home-made cocktails which are original, and full of character, 
• and the surprising Le Parfum (55, rue de la Cavalerie), where Sacha Molodskikh's cocktails are real gastronomic creations !

And of course, we can’t mention cocktails in Montpellier without treating ourselves to a creation from Papa Doble (6, rue du petit Scel), near the Arc de Triomphe. It's one of the best cocktail bars in the world according to the very serious ranking by ‘Drink International Magazine’! The manager and owner, Julien Escot, author of several cocktail books, was even named ‘Best barman in the world’ by this same magazine and won the world cocktail championships at the Havana Club in 2012.

Cheers!