5 reviewed party hostels · from €20.38/night · Hostelworld rated
Lyon’s nightlife doesn’t just happen in the obvious places. Sure, you’ll find backpackers spilling out of Loft on Rue de la République by midnight, but the real action starts in the backstreets of Vieux Lyon or the student-heavy bars of Croix-Rousse. Yasi Hostel runs its own bar downstairs, and it’s the kind of spot where you’ll end up chatting to locals before you’ve even finished your first pint.
The hostel scene here is smaller than Paris or Barcelona, but it’s tight-knit. Most party-friendly places cluster around Presqu’île or Croix-Rousse, so you’re never more than a 15-minute walk from the next bar. If you’re travelling solo, this is the city where you’ll actually make friends: just show up at the right hostel on a Friday night.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Social hostel with a great communal atmosphere in the on-site snack bar, perfect for meeting new people. Huge common area offers plenty of social games and activities. Enjoy karaoke and live movie nights, or play table tennis and board games with other travellers. Friendly and polite staff will take you for a free city tour.
Party hostel with designed and cosy rooms and great common areas. A coffee shop is a part of the hostel, with a takeaway menu available. The hostel offers morning yoga classes to all the guest. Meet other backpackers at Homemade brunch, Happy Hour, or DJs live performances placed in a cool bar.
Crazy and fun social hostel with great vibes. Common room always crowded, with many board games for entertainment. Enjoy your favourite drink while playing table football with other travellers. After a couple of drinks, go to a pub crawls and visit the party places nearby. Happy hours, movie nights, and workshops organized on daily bases are welcoming all the guests.
Colourful and modern social hostel located near the historical part of the city crowded with famous local bars and restaurants. The hostel features a vibrant on-site bar always crowded with people. Common areas with cosy seating are perfect for guests socializing. Lots of regular activities like walking tours, evening entertainment, etc.
Stay in a vibrant students’ area, the epicentre of Lyon’s nightlife scene. There are tons of bars and clubs with crazy parties and great deals on drinks. The hostel features a lively on-site bar with cheap beer and crazy parties on weekends. Fun activities like movie nights, walking tours, pub crawls, etc.
Organised nights out with a local guide
This crawl takes you through the backstreets of Vieux Lyon and Presqu’île, stopping at four or five bars and clubs. Free shots are included at each stop, and the guides keep the energy high with drinking games. The crawl usually ends at a club like Loft or Maison Mère around 1am.
A more flexible crawl that changes route depending on the night. You’ll visit a mix of pubs, cocktail bars, and clubs, with interactive games along the way. The crawl includes a welcome shot and discounts on drinks at some venues. Groups are smaller, so it’s easier to meet people.
How Lyon's nightlife zones break down
The oldest part of the city, with narrow cobbled streets and hidden courtyards. By day, it’s all about Renaissance architecture and tourist crowds. By night, the wine bars and late-night spots like Le Petit Salon take over. It’s central but can feel touristy: walk five minutes towards Presqu’île to find more locals.
The peninsula between the Rhône and Saône rivers is where you’ll find the biggest clubs, like Loft and Maison Mère. It’s also home to most of the city’s shopping and restaurants. The area is walkable, but it gets rowdy on weekends: expect queues outside clubs after midnight.
A former silk-weaving district with a bohemian feel. The bars here are cheaper and more laid-back, with a mix of students and artists. It’s a 15-minute walk from Presqu’île, or take the metro to Croix-Paquet. The views from the top of the hill are worth the climb.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
This is the default meeting spot for backpackers in Lyon. The bar is small but lively, with €4 pints and regular themed nights. It’s attached to the hostel, so you’ll meet travellers and locals who pop in for the cheap drinks and friendly crowd. Gets busy from 10pm, especially on weekends.
A two-floor club on Rue de la République with a mix of chart hits and electronic music. Entry is €10–€15, often with a free drink included. The crowd is mostly students and young professionals, and it stays packed until 4am or 5am on weekends. Dress smart: no trainers.
A tiny bar in Vieux Lyon with a speakeasy feel. It’s standing-room-only by midnight, with €5 cocktails and a playlist that jumps from indie to disco. The crowd is a mix of locals and travellers, and the bartenders are happy to recommend something off-menu if you ask nicely.
A club with a rooftop terrace and a strict door policy: get there before midnight or you won’t get in. Music is mostly house and techno, and the crowd is older than Loft, usually late 20s and up. Entry is €12–€15, and drinks are €8–€10. Open until 6am on weekends.
A warehouse-turned-club under a railway bridge in the Confluence district. It’s a bit further out, but the music: electronic, hip-hop, and occasional live acts: makes it worth the trip. Entry is €10–€15, and the crowd is a mix of students and creatives. Open until 5am.
A dive bar in Croix-Rousse with €3 beers and a jukebox that’s always playing something unexpected. It’s the kind of place where you’ll end up in a debate about music or politics by 1am. No cover charge, and it stays open until 2am most nights.