Medieval (suppose Paris in the 13th century) and Ancient (suppose Rome during the Empire) nightlife is something often romanticized nowadays. It is easy to imagine a bustling fire-lit tavern or inn with many patrons, lots of alcohol being served, people chattering, gambling, soliciting prostitutes, and maybe someone playing a stringed instrument.
How accurate is this notion? Were these establishments common and popular? Did they really exist at all?
On the Roman world, you might be interested in this answer I wrote a little while ago - exploring the different ways that life carried on after dark, the sorts of entertainment on offer, and interrogating some misconceptions about how these activities were viewed.