1Language exchange at The British Pub
Language exchange·1st arrondissement (Opéra)·€·All ages
A free language exchange every Thursday from 20:00 in a classic English pub near the Vieux-Port, run as a Meetup group. Locals, students and newcomers mix at the tables, and switching languages is the icebreaker.
42 rue Saint-Saëns, 13001 Marseille · Takes bookings
2Baraka Jeux
Board game bar·6th arrondissement (Cours Julien)·€·20s
A board game bar on the lively Cours Julien with around 500 games, open from 17:00 on weekdays and from 14:00 at weekends until 01:00. Sharing a game table is one of the easiest ways to meet people in the neighbourhood.
21 cours Julien, 13006 Marseille · Takes bookings
3Salsa and bachata Tuesdays at Rhumerie La Paillotte
Dance night·6th arrondissement (Cours Julien)·€·All ages
Every Tuesday from 19:00 a rum bar hosts a salsa and bachata class followed by social dancing, with entry around €8 including the lesson. Changing partners means you meet a lot of people in one evening.
Cours Julien, 13006 Marseille · Walk-in
4La Friche la Belle de Mai
Cultural venue·3rd arrondissement (Belle de Mai)·€·All ages
A huge former tobacco factory turned arts centre with exhibitions, festivals, concerts, workshops and a restaurant open from 08:00 to 23:00. Its events and shared meals bring together a creative, mixed crowd.
41 rue Jobin, 13003 Marseille · Walk-in
5R2, Rooftop des Terrasses du Port
Rooftop bar·2nd arrondissement (Joliette)·€€·20s
A big rooftop above the Terrasses du Port shopping centre with sea views over the Frioul islands, weekly DJs, concerts and events. Sunset crowds and shared space make it easy to mingle; check opening days outside summer.
9 quai du Lazaret, 13002 Marseille · Walk-in
6Marseille Comedy Club
Comedy club·6th arrondissement (Préfecture)·€€·All ages
The city's stand-up headquarters, with comedy nights every Friday and Saturday and a bar that opens at 19:00 with live music before the shows. Laughing at the same jokes makes chatting at the bar afterwards easy.
59 rue de Rome, 13006 Marseille · Takes bookings
7Les Halles de la Major
Food hall·2nd arrondissement (Joliette / La Major)·€€·All ages
A food hall under the Voûtes de la Major by the sea, with stalls for seafood, meat, pizza and Asian food and a terrace heated in winter, open every day. Shared tables make it natural to talk to the people next to you.
12 boulevard Jacques Saadé, 13002 Marseille · Walk-in
8Les Grandes Halles du Vieux-Port
Food hall·1st arrondissement (Vieux-Port)·€·All ages
A food hall just off the Vieux-Port, open every day, where you pick from several counters and sit together at shared tables. An easy, casual spot for an evening out with new people.
30A cours Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves, 13001 Marseille · Walk-in
9RockyPop Marseille
Rooftop bar·6th arrondissement (Castellane)·€€·20s
A colourful, festive rooftop with cocktails, tapas, live concerts and karaoke. Singing along with strangers is about the fastest icebreaker there is.
60 rue du Rouet, 13006 Marseille · Takes bookings
10The People Hostel Marseille
Hostel bar·2nd arrondissement (Joliette)·€·20s
A 'gallery hostel' covered in street art, with a ground-floor bar serving regional tapas and an art space in the basement. Travellers and locals share the terrace, and nobody minds being spoken to.
12 rue Jean Trinquet, 13002 Marseille · Walk-in