153 Best Nightlife in Germany

Among Munich's largest beer gardens (5,000 seats)—and in fact its oldest—Augustiner Keller is one of the more authentic beer gardens, with excellent food, beautiful chestnut shade trees, a mixed local crowd, and Munich Augustiner beer. 

Young German artists perform most nights at b-flat. The well-known and well-attended Wednesday jam sessions focus on experimental jazz.

In an imposing power station in a barren stretch of land between Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain (the name borrows from both neighborhoods), Berghain has achieved international fame as the hedonistic heart of techno music—it was originally a 1990s techno club called Ostgut. It's only open as a club on weekends (for 48-plus hours straight, from midnight on Friday to early Monday), though many international music acts pass through for concert performances during the week. It's become something of a local tradition to arrive on Sunday morning or afternoon and dance until closing. Upstairs, the slightly smaller (but by no means intimate) Panorama Bar opens on Friday at midnight and offers different beats.

The only true beer garden in the center of the city, and therefore the easiest to find, is the one at Viktualienmarkt. The beer on tap rotates among the six major Munich breweries to keep everyone happy throughout the year.

Frequented by students and hipsters, this lively two-story bar near the main train station is famous for its cheap drinks and kitschy atmosphere.

A night out at Clärchen's Ballhaus (Little Clara's Ballroom) is like a trip back in time; opened in 1913, the club is an impressive sight. On summer nights, lines often stretch out the door, while the front courtyard comes alive with patrons dining alfresco on brick-oven pizzas. The main ballroom features a different style of music every night and there are often dance lessons before the party starts. One of the best things about this place, though, is the variety of people of different ages, nationalities, and social backgrounds.

Tucked inside a brick-walled former ice house, this atmospheric Altstadt wine bar touts a 250-strong list of biodynamic and natural European wines, with many available by the glass, all hand-selected from small producers.

Belly up to the wood bar of this pint-sized Altstadt institution and ask for an ice-cold shot of Dusseldorf’s famous ruby-red liqueur, Killepitsch. Or do as the locals do and order one through the tiny bar window, then sip it al fresco standing around the high outdoor tables.

The young sommeliers here take a fresh, modern approach to wine, departing from the typical German Rieslings and French Pinot noirs (though those are on the menu, too) and offering many lesser-known varietals. The well-curated list of wines by the glass includes natural and biodynamic options; ask for the separate card of rare (and pricier) wines, also by the glass. The loungelike space and small garden terrace attract a well-heeled crowd; weekend evenings are particularly lively.

This is one of the city's midsize beer gardens but undoubtedly one of the best. Its location just off pretty cobblestoned Wiener Platz makes it attractive enough, plus the food's good, and it serves the same beer as the Hofbräuhaus. There's a play area for children as well as a lounge area with sand and sun loungers.

Since 1997, Jazzbar Vogler has staged jazz concerts in its intimate, dimly lit space.

For more than 40 years, Unterfahrt has been the place for the serious jazzologist.

Out in the district of Nymphenburg is the huge Königlicher Hirschgarten, Munich's largest beer garden, with 8,000 seats. It's also a family-oriented beer garden; it even has a deer reserve. To get there, rent bikes and make a day of it in the park and beer garden, or take the S-bahn to Hirschgarten, then walk about 15 minutes. No matter how you get there, it'll be worth it.

This is one of Munich's hippest hangouts, a combination restaurant, bar, and nightclub inside a 1930s building in the Old Botanical Garden, plus a sprawling seasonal beer garden outside. It often draws a younger crowd, attracted by a thriving music scene, which ranges from DJs to live bands. There's a great atmosphere to go with the good food and drinks, even better when the sun is shining and the beer garden is open.

Set atop "Holy Hill," so named because Paulaner monks produced beer here as far back as 1627, this brewery/beer garden was entirely refurbished in early 2018. The sprawling shady beer garden, which seats 2,000 people, is a nice break from the touristy beer gardens found in much of the city. Sample handcrafted Paulaner beers made right on-site, including the potent wheat beer Faustus; many are specialty unfiltered brews you can't find elsewhere. The Bavarian cuisine here is particularly good.

As befits its name, this minuscule bar has just a handful of tables and stools, but it’s big on atmosphere, with wood-lined walls decorated with vintage posters, an antique cash register, and an old piano wedged in the corner.

This sprawling, 600-seat Biergarten is where Berliners go when the urge for a hefeweizen and pretzel strikes. Grab a beer and a snack (a bratwurst is the classic choice), squeeze in at one of the long community tables, and get ready for some marathon drinking—at least as a bystander, if not a participant. If the outdoor boisterousness is too much, opt for an indoor table at the slightly more upscale restaurant, which serves an expanded menu of German classics like Wiener schnitzel. The beer garden is open from April to September, while the restaurant operates year-round.

Part of the Steuer steakhouse, this handsome wine and cocktail bar, with modern wood paneling and oriental rugs, draws an enthusiastic evening crowd for a tantalizing menu of fresh, inventive cocktails and regional wines by the glass.

The elegant Victoria Bar is a stylish homage to 1960s and '70s jet-setters, and the cocktails are mixed with care. It typically attracts a middle-age, affluent, and artsy crowd.

For a smooth cocktail, cool lounge music, and jaw-droppingly good views over the city and harbor, try this bar, which is one of the most popular nightspots in town. It's best to book ahead, particularly on weekends.

A-Trane in West Berlin has hosted countless greats throughout the years, including Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis. Numerous free events make it a good place to see jazz on a budget.

Beer fans will be hard-pressed to find a better spot in town to sample that amber nectar. With a number of local beers on tap and more than 60 craft beers to order from, plus a decent selection of German pub food, it's unsurprising that this gastropub has maintained a glowing reputation since opening in early 2013.

This groovy and hip place is one of the best bars in town.

The Backstage is mostly a live-music venue for alternative music of all kinds, but there's also a chilled-out club and a seasonal beer garden.

The spacious club has an intimate feel, as candles are just about the only source of light. The proprietor is Anita Honis, an American singer from Harlem, who likes to get out her acoustic guitar and perform on occasion. Everyone is invited to sing or play on the piano, which is set up for impromptu and scheduled performances, and there's usually music nightly from 8 pm.