Angers has a large student population — the University of Angers and several grandes écoles together put some 40,000 students in the city — and the bar scene reflects this. The area around Rue Saint-Laud and Place du Ralliement is active most evenings, with a mix of traditional cafés, wine bars, and student-facing bars. The old quarter near the cathedral is quieter and better suited to a glass of Anjou white before dinner.
Wine bars have multiplied in the past decade, and the best of them take the local appellation seriously. Look for Anjou Blanc, Savennières, and the red Anjou-Villages on the shorter, curated lists. Craft beer has also established a presence — several bars now carry locally brewed options from Maine-et-Loire producers.