DanckTravel

Heidelberg, Germany, has a beautiful castle and amazing hikes available. However, if you are also looking to find cool bars to check out or go dancing, this city has that too. What’s especially unique about this city is the Baqoque buildings which house many of these places. You can step back in time, while drinking a delcious German beer. As you walk along medieval streets, you can bounce easily from location to location, exploring cool archetecture and sites. without ever needing a car.

I remember living here in my young 20s, trying local beer along the Neckarwiese (Neckar lawn) or walking down the main strip, Untere Straße, with my friends. Although it’s a small town, Heidelberg still has a lot of places to visit and few places to go dancing. Keep reading to learn more.

Key Takeaways

• Heidelberg has a great night life, with a lot of fun bars to explore.
• Untere Straße is generally the best area of the city to visit for bar hopping and drinks.
• Heidelberg doesn’t have a huge club scene, but visit Halle 002 or Villa Nachtanz if you are looking to go dancing.
  

Nightlife and Bars Downtown in the Altstadt (Old City)

Downtown Heidelberg is very walkable. You can easily reach this part of the city by taking a bus to Bismarkplatz or by biking. All the bars below are within walking distance, making it very easy to visit multiple places at once.

Untere Straße

Untere Straße is the street in Heidelberg where most of the bars are. This is generally the center of Heidelberg nightlife, with a few clubs and bars located on the outskirts. If you’re only in Heidelberg for one night, we recommend bar hopping on this street. Many of the bars below are on this street.

Reichsapfel

Reichsapfel is located in Untere Straße. It offers a chill vibe with a good selection of beet to choose from (You should be making sure to sample the beer anyway. It’s great!). They also have events, including trivia and karaoke.

Mohr!

Mohr! is located in the Altstadt, and every Thursday night, they have free prosecco for women. It’s part of their Ladies Night and worth checking out, especially if you are looking to save some money and travel around Europe cheaply.

When I studied abroad here, this was a weekly favorite for many of my friends. They also do offer a lot of other types of drinks (in case you bring guy friends or are sick of champagne).

Vetter’s Alt Heidelberger Brauhaus

Vetter’s is an old brewery, located right near the old bridge. We recommend getting beer from here before leaving Heidelberg. You can also purchase beer here and bring it with you to enjoy on the Neckarwiese. It’s a nice way to enjoy the views and sample some German beer.

Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg

Kulturbrauerei combines a hotel, a beer garden, and a brewery into one. This is a cool and relaxed place to hang out while enjoying some good food and German beer.

Sonderbar (Pinte)

This is a popular bar in Untere Straße. They have a wide assortment of interesting drinks you can sample. 

Shooter Stars

This bar is located right off Unter Strasse and is a fun bar to head to with a group of friends.

The menu features different shots, with no description, so you are in a surprise no matter what you choose. The names only act as a guide or expectation for what’s to come. My friends and I used to pick things off the menu for each other to sample and we recommend the same to you for a fun night out.

Pro Tip: Some of the drink orders require you to also perform an action. This could include running around the bar for example. The bartenders will not let you know until they bring the shot out.

Destille

Destille is another cool bar in downtown Heidelberg. It’s a great place to talk with friends and hang out. It has a laid back atmosphere and features cool art work on the walls. 

Please note: When I lived there, they did have a shot with an anchovy in it (so just beware! haha).

Bars and Clubs Outside of the Altstadt

Villa Nachtanz

Villa Nachtanz is located a bit outside of the main city, so it’s a little bit of a hike. If you’re spending a few days in Heidelberg and like to dance, we’d recommend coming here one of the nights.

It’s a really cool location, having once been a house that has been converted into a bar/club. You can hang out outside or explore the two floors, which will both feature different music.

Halle 002 

Halle 002 is an old warehouse that has since been converted into a club. They have various events, which you can buy tickets for.

If you’re looking for a night of dancing, this is a cool place to check out. Music tends to be electronic.

Events

Schlossbeleuchtung

The Schlossbeleuchtung (Illumination of the Castle) happens a few times a year and includes fireworks. Our tip: Go to the old bridge and watch the castle as the fireworks go off in the distance.

Christmas Markets

Heidelberg has a beautiful Christmas market (which was even featured in a Hallmark movie). Yes, this is not technically a bar, but these markets are open until 9 or 10pm during the holiday season (depending on when you go). Here you can explore the shops, while grabbing some of their famous hot drinks. Glühwein (mulled wine) is perhaps the most famous, but we also recommend the Feuerzangenbowle. This is a drink involving rum-soaked sugar being set on fire and dripped into mulled wine!

All drinks are served in a Christmas mug with artwork featuring the city. You can either take this home or return it for a few Euros back.

Other Tips for Heidelberg Nightlife

Water is Not Free

If you are an American visiting Germany, you are likely used to asking for free water at the bar in an effort to pace yourself or to avoid a hangover. Tap water is uncommon in Germany for restaurants, so this will generally not be free. Be sure to factor that into account before going out.

You Can Drink Outside

In Germany, you are allowed to drink on the streets, at the markets or at the parks. So, if the weather is nice and you are looking for a relaxing night, we recommend grabbing some drinks and heading over to the Neckarwiese or the castle gardens to enjoy some views.

Mannheim has Bigger Clubs

If you are looking to dance and want to go somewhere with more options, check out Mannheim, which is the neighboring city. This is very easy to reach via the Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof.

Final Thoughts

Heidelberg, Germany, is definitely worth a visit, especially if you are already planning a trip to Germany. It is a charming city with a fun nightlife, including bars and restaurants to explore. Are there any places you’d recommend checking out? Leave them in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Heidelberg have a good nightlife? 

Yes, Heidelberg has a good nightlife. With plenty of bars and a few clubs, there is plenty to do and see.

What time do bars in Heidelberg close? 

Bars in Heidelberg typically close around 2am. There are a few dance halls that may stay open until 4am however.

Which city in Germany has the best nightlife?

Berlin is typically considered the city with the best nightlife.