1. Berlin
If you are short on time or funds and can only afford to see one of the famous nightlife cities in Germany, make it Berlin.
Famous for its extravagant, 24/7 clubbing scene that ranges from addictive to outright hedonist (depending on whom you ask), the capital is where you’ll find many of the best nightclubs in Germany. Standouts include the Berghain, KitKat, and Tresor.
2. Hamburg
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Germany’s charming metropolis by the sea is where the Beatles famously played some of their first live concerts, and to this day it’s retained its reputation as a major Mecca for members of the clubbing and live music scene.
The neighborhood of St. Pauli is the most internationally renowned for its nightlife. Here, you’ll find many famous clubs and bars, including the Chug Club and the Cotton Club. The latter has been a favorite among jazz lovers since the 50s!
More daring travelers are welcome to further explore in and around the infamous Reeperbahn, a narrow, long street within St. Pauli renowned for its underground dance clubs, brothels, and all sorts of other symbols of excess and all-night partying.
3. Munich
Oktoberfest in Munich. Editorial credit: Bucchi Francesco / Shutterstock.com
The capital of Bavaria is an obvious choice if you like your nights out accompanied by generous (think keg-sized) doses of beer. That Munich’s brews are some of the best and most famous in the world is the cherry on top, of course!
The city’s legendary bars and pubs deserve an article of their own – some of my favorites include the Tap House and the unabashedly Irish Ryan’s Muddy Boot.
But beyond that, excellent nightclubs and concert venues like Blitz and Harry Klein really prove that the heart of Bavaria is worth the trip if you’re itching for excitement and fun.
Try the area around Schwabing; it offers both laidback jazz clubs as well as more hot-blooded venues covering just about any taste.
4. Cologne
The beating heart of the Rhineland and capital of Germany’s largest state, Cologne is a student-rich, modern cosmopolis with a casual, laidback atmosphere.
Suffice it to say that all this makes it an excellent destination if you’re looking for the best nightlife in Germany and beyond. Among party cities in Germany, it’s really difficult to outdo Cologne without straying much farther east or north.
Univiertel (the University district) and the Old Town offer the highest concentration of nightclubs, dance halls, pubs, and Brauhäuser – the traditional Rheinland-style beerhouse that has become a symbol of the Cologne area.
Try the Cubana for some of the most extravagant cocktails in the country, or let your hair out and prepare to dance all night long at Diamond‘s, the self-professed best nightclub in Germany.
5. Dresden
While it’s unfortunately acquired the reputation of “the poor backpacker’s Berlin” in recent years, Dresden is so much more than its close neighbor’s budget-friendly alternative.
Full of culture, stunning Baroque architecture, and some of the former East’s best restaurants, alternative cafés, and bars like the 200-year-strong Gin House, to name just one.
City icons like the Standesamt, Katy’s Garage, and more offer excellent opportunities for socializing and enjoying a diverse offering of music on and off the dancefloor.
6. Stuttgart
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Home to both Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, Stuttgart is South Germany’s industrial powerhouse.
Since the end of World War II, Stuttgart has welcomed a significant US military presence spread out across a series of military bases within the city limits – at its peak during the Cold War, there were over 30 of them!
Because of this, much of Stuttgart’s nightlife scene caters to the English-speaking crowd and American-style music. Jazz is incredibly popular alongside RnB and Hip-Hop, as well as more widespread genres throughout the rest of Germany and Western Europe like House and various genres of EDM.
Theodor-Heuss-Strasse near the center is where most of the city’s cutting-edge nightclubs are located. For a good drink, look around the opulent Schlossgarten, a relic of Stuttgart’s aristocratic past. Now as in the 1700s, it’s full of authentic breweries and beer houses.
7. Frankfurt
The banking capital of Germany is famous for its role in international finance and business, which has admittedly given it a reputation for being a bit stuck-up and overly serious.
However, one good look at Frankfurt’s legendary nightlife scene is enough to prove these preconceptions all wrong.
Since at least the 60s, Frankfurt has displayed an eclectic variety of nightlife options. These range from the speakeasy-esque, countercultural vibes of famous institutions like Club Voltaire to excellent jazz and blues bars and even hardcore techno dance clubs like the Elfer.
8. Leipzig
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Leipzig is one of the biggest urban centers of the former East Germany, a defining hub of Össi culture and nostalgia. Its dense Old Town streets brim with pubs and excellent vintage-style taverns, while the modern downtown fully embraces late-night clubbing and EDM culture.
Snoop around the neighborhood known as Drallewatsch to discover some of Leipzig’s best and oldest pubs – some have been here since before the reformation!
As for the club scene, there is no one neighborhood that will suit every taste, but I suggest starting where it all began, at the Distillery. This legendary club has been operating since the late 1990s and is largely responsible for the boom in popularity of Leipzig following a slump during the Cold War era.
9. Wuppertal
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Known for its iconic Schwebebahn, a futuristic type of tram that drives hanging from metal girders suspended above the city (but that was actually built in the late 1800s!), Wuppertal offers a staggering clash of old and new.
At Wuppertal’s varied nightclubs like the famous U-Club, genre-bending lineups meet an eclectic, international clientele that keeps the local clubbing scene going strong and exciting, more than 25 years on.
Meanwhile, dozens of quality breweries, discothéques, arcades, and other venues offer a bit of late-time fun for just about any flavor of a night owl. That easily makes Wuppertal one of the best party cities in Germany!
10. Leverkusen
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Located just outside of Cologne, Leverkusen offers much of that same uniquely West German charm – warm locals, an energetic cityscape, and a fun-loving atmosphere.
As a much smaller city, however, Leverkusen offers a more local, pared-down vibe. Excellent for those who prefer an outing at a blues bar to moshing all night, the city impresses with its broad selection of cool entertainment and nightlife options – some among the best in Germany.
For jazz fans, look no further than Topos, one of Leverkusen’s oldest clubs – which also happens to serve some of the best cocktails in Germany!
Meanwhile, live music fans of all kinds will be well served at Shadow, a trailblazing club that has been a part of the local landscape forever and continues to refuse labels to this day.
11. Bonn
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Beethoven’s historic birthplace and the capital of the former West German state, Bonn has seen a lot of history.
Especially in and surrounding the former diplomats’ quarter (which still today contains many important offices of German government bodies), Bonn is brimming with cafés, clubs, bistros, and dance halls.
Here, in the colorful downtown, waltzing is as popular as punk rock and 70s funk. Try any of the city’s incredibly diverse dance floors and you’re sure to find something up your alley.
12. Düsseldorf
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The largest city in Germany’s west after Cologne (and the only one in the region to administer itself as a city-state), Düsseldorf is rich in history, culture, and entertainment.
Known today as one of the most livable and popular party cities in Germany, especially for foreigners, Düsseldorf impresses with its vibrant and diverse nightlife scene.
For many, Düsseldorf’s highlight is its incredible variety of pubs and brew bars. For a primer, have a few drinks at the Goldener Ring; its lavish interior dating to the 16th century is sure to impress, and their recipe for Altbier is almost as ancient.
Meanwhile, places like Engel serve up a heavy dose of rock for those so inclined, Stahlwerk excels in avant-garde cabaret and stand-up alongside dance-heavy nights fueled by electronica, and Tonhalle is home to some of the best classical performances on the continent.
What more could you ask for?
Conclusion
That’s it for today’s roundup of the best party cities in Germany! Whether you’re planning a big cross-country tour or just a short weekend trip and whether you’re looking mainly for an adrenaline boost or your next favorite evening drink, I am sure that a stop at any of these top picks will satisfy your goals.
Source: https://t24hs.com
