The main area for nightlife are the streets that run off the Rue de Solférino, which is the main street running from the north west to south east of the city. The nearest VAL (metro) stop is at Gambetta, which is to the south of the Solfé, as it is known. There's a handful of bars dotted along this street, and at the various squares where it intersects with other major roads.
If you're arriving by train (as so many do to Lille) or are only around for a short time, then you may not to head to the south of the city and the Solfé, but rest assured there are plenty of options within walking distance of the station, in the area of town that's known as Vieux Lille (or Old Lille). There's the micro-brewery Omnia Bar on Rue Esquermoise, or Les 3 Brasseurs (The 3 Brewers) on Place de la Gare near the train station, for instance.
Being France, though, there isn't much of a pub culture, so finding a big strip of bars with neon signs and a load of drunk people stumbling around, while a typical sight in the UK, isn't how things are done in Lille. You'll have to embrace the café culture, high prices and all, if you want to go on the drink.
Alternatively, there's always those little slices of home abroad.
Irish & English Pubs
The main (some would say only) Irish Bar in Lille is Tir Na Nog, which can be found on the square at Place Phillipe Le Bon, on Rue Solférino. They have a fairly limited website, but it's the typical Irish Pub fare.
There's also MacEwan's Pub just up the road at Place Sebastopol, and they've got a wide range of beer in their English-style pub. We've also heard of L'Arms Park, a loosely rugby-themed bar on Solfé, but then none of you would want to head in there, would you?
