Rainy Day in Lille? Discover the Best Things to Do Indoors
Lille is a vibrant city full of history, culture, and great food, but what happens when the rain starts pouring? No worries! Lille offers plenty of fun and unusual indoor activities to keep you entertained while staying dry. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or staying in Colive’s coliving spaces, here are some of the best things to do in Lille on a rainy day, from cozy hideaways to immersive experiences.
1. Unwind in a Hidden or Themed Café
Lille is home to some one-of-a-kind cafés, perfect for escaping the rain while enjoying a warm drink.
Our favorite unique cafés:
- Le Dernier Bar Avant la Fin du Monde – A geek-friendly bar where you can sip hot chocolate while reading comics or playing board games.
- L’Hybride – A cozy café-cinema showing indie short films in an intimate setting.
- Coffee Makers – A hidden specialty coffee spot in a former garage, perfect for true coffee lovers.
Pro tip: Some cafés offer barista workshops where you can learn to make the perfect espresso!
2. Watch an Improv Show or Interactive Theater Performance
Lille has plenty of small theaters that offer offbeat, interactive, and intimate performances—a perfect way to spend a rainy evening.
Best places for live performances:
- Le Spotlight – A must-visit for stand-up comedy and improvisation nights.
- La Boîte à Rire – A small theater known for light-hearted and hilarious performances.
- L’Antre 2 – A café-theater featuring everything from comedy to poetry slams.
Bonus: Some venues host open mic or improv nights where you can join in on the fun!
3. Find a Hidden Speakeasy or Immersive Bar
Lille is famous for its hidden bars and speakeasies, where finding the entrance is part of the experience.
Best speakeasies and immersive bars:
- Le Joker Bar – The bartender crafts a custom cocktail based on your mood.
- La Planque – A speakeasy hidden behind a bookshelf with a vintage ambiance.
- Basilic Café – A cozy jazz-inspired cocktail bar with dim lighting and live music.
For a unique experience, try a « cocktail challenge, » where you must solve clues to unlock your custom drink!
4. Experience Virtual Reality or an Immersive Escape Room
If you love immersive experiences, Lille’s VR gaming centers and escape rooms are a perfect indoor adventure.
Best places for virtual reality and escape games:
- Game Over VR – Explore futuristic worlds, battle zombies, or escape a virtual haunted house.
- Get Out! Lille – One of Lille’s best escape rooms, featuring ultra-realistic scenarios from Ancient Egypt to a mysterious asylum.
- Virtual Center Lille – A multiplayer VR space where you can compete with friends in action-packed challenges.
Some escape rooms in Lille are fully VR-based for an extra layer of immersion!
5. Get Lost in a Beautiful Bookstore
If you love books, a rainy day in Lille is the perfect excuse to browse some of the city’s most charming bookstores.
Best bookstores to visit:
- Le Furet du Nord – One of the biggest bookstores in Europe, a paradise for book lovers.
- Les Quatre Chemins – A dream destination for comic book fans and rare editions.
- La Lison – A charming independent bookstore where you can grab a coffee while browsing.
Bonus: Some bookstores organize live readings and book signings with local authors.
6. Play Board Games in a Café-Ludothèque
Lille is home to several board game cafés, where you can spend hours discovering new games while enjoying a drink.
Where to play board games in Lille:
- Ludibreak – A board game café with over 500 different games to try.
- Le Bazar du Bizarre – A quirky shop that regularly hosts game nights and tournaments.
Perfect for a fun and social rainy-day activity!
Even when the weather isn’t great, Lille offers plenty of exciting and immersive activities to keep you entertained. Whether you prefer cocktail speakeasies, VR gaming, improv comedy, or getting lost in a bookshop, there’s always something fun to do in Lille, even on a rainy day! What’s your favorite thing to do in Lille when it rains? Share your ideas in the comments!
Looking for a unique way to experience Lille? Discover our coliving spaces at Colive!
