The cafes and bars of Metz cluster on a few key squares: Place Saint-Louis and Place de la Comédie for terraces in the sun, Place Saint-Jacques for student crowds and live music, and the narrow streets of the Outre-Seille quarter for a quieter, more local feel. Bars typically open from late afternoon and stay busy until midnight; cafes serve through the day.
Lorraine has its own beer tradition (the Saint-Nicolas-de-Port brewery is nearby) and a strong line in cocktails based on local Mirabelle plum eau-de-vie. Most bars also carry good Alsace and Moselle wines.