The cafe and bar scene in Tana reflects the French colonial inheritance: good espresso, pastries, and a culture of sitting over coffee. Le Glacier on the central avenue is the classic institution — ice cream, pastries, and excellent people-watching from the terrace. The Café de la Gare inside the old Soarano railway station adds live music on weekends to its coffee and cake offer.
Bars range from expat-friendly establishments in the upper town to local places where THB (Three Horses Beer) and rum are the order of the day. The city has an active nightlife centred on the better hotels and a handful of clubs, but most travellers find that early mornings and the social world of restaurants and cafes suit the pace of Tana better than late nights.