Where Cannes Insiders Go When the Cameras Stop
The Cannes Film Festival may be defined by red carpets and flashing bulbs, but the real action happens after hours. Whether you’re after a glass of Champagne at sunset, a sharp spritz between screenings, or a late-night cocktail that turns into a deal, these are the spots where the industry gathers once the stars have gone home.
At the Martinez Bar, a vinyl-focused speakeasy that opened in March 2025, the vibe is deliberately low-key. Tucked inside the Hôtel Martinez, it’s the kind of place where film executives and producers can talk without the noise of the lobby. The signature Black Swan—Cîroc vodka, apricot liqueur, sambuca, and a single coffee bean—suits the mood. Rare records spin past midnight, and the conversation flows just as long.
Over at the Carlton Beach Club, the question isn’t if you’ll end up there, but how long you’ll stay. By late afternoon, the pontoon is packed with studio heads, filmmakers, and the occasional yacht refugee. The order is automatic: a chilled Provençal rosé, something off the grill, and a seat facing the water. During festival season, it’s less a beach club and more an outdoor boardroom.
Inside the Palais des Festivals, the Campari Lounge remains one of the hardest invitations to score. Now in its fifth year, the space offers a direct view of the red carpet, filmmaker talks by day, and a cocktail scene by night. This year’s signature drink, the “Red Carpet, Cannes Edition,” is a Negroni twist with hibiscus-infused Campari, bitter chocolate vermouth, and Courvoisier VSOP.
For those seeking something more unbuttoned, Le Speakeasy Cannes, just off the Croisette, turns into a late-night haven after dinner. Espresso martinis and Champagne cocktails dominate as live music fills the velvet-lined room. Dancing starts around midnight, and last call can stretch to 4 a.m.—or later, depending on the energy.
And for a quiet escape, the Eden-Roc Restaurant Terrace at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes offers classic martinis and Negronis served with a view of the Mediterranean. It’s where longtime festival regulars go to breathe, away from the Croisette’s chaos, as the sun drops behind the pines.