Nightlife in Dresden - A guide to nightclubs and going out in Dresden

1. Things to know before arriving in Dresden
2. How to get to Dresden
3. Public transport in Dresden – How to get around Dresden
4. Cost of living in Dresden
5. Saving money in Dresden
6. Accommodation for students in Dresden
7. Neighbourhoods of Dresden - The most important districts of Dresden
8. Nightlife in Dresden - A guide to nightclubs and going out in Dresden
9. Typical Dresden Cuisine
10. What to do in Dresden
11. Places to visit around Dresden
12. Dresden in 3 days - What to see in Dresden in 3 days

A city full of life

It doesn’t matter if it is day or night, youìll always have something to do. Going out in Dresden usually means to go to Neustadt, because this neighbourhood has one of the liveliest bar scenes of all Germany, with an extremely high concentration of bars, clubs, and cafes. Talking about bars and clubs, in Neustadt, you'll have a large choice according to which type of music, people, and decorations you prefer and, of course, according to prices.

As the district is really famous for its nightlife, it is well connected with public transport. You can take tram 3, 6, 7, 8, 11 to Albertplatz; or 7 and 8 to Louisenstraße; as well as 7, 8, 13 Bischofsweg; 13 Alaunplatz; 13 Görlitzer Straße; 13 Rothenburger Straße; 6, 11, 13 Bautzener Straße; and you will find yourself somewhere in the party area!

Bars

Katys Garage

Really famous among international and national students and locals in general. This bar/club offers every day different kind of events: from rock concerts to electro parties, you can find everything you like. On Thursday it is "students day": with your card, you will have free entry and discounts on some drinks. Katys Garage has 2 floors: the ground floor is for the bar and the DJ-/dancing area and also the perfect place to relax; while on the first floor there is a smoking area and 2 football tables. In summer they also offer a beer garden, which is really worth visiting. All prices are students friendly, which means drinks are between €2 for beer up to €5 for cocktails.

Rosis Amüsierlokal

If you like Rock’n’Roll, Indie, Alternative, Rockabilly or Psychobilly - this will be your favourite club. Monday is students-day with free entry, a lot of discounts and a DJ, who plays the best songs of these music styles. During the week or even during the weekend there are live concerts, but you'll need to pay up to €7 for the entry. The place is popular among students for its cheap prices and the 3 football tables.

Hebedas

A really cosy and nice bar in the heart of Neustadt. People going to Hebedas usually prefer to take a beer or a good glass of wine and have a nice conversation about God and the world with friends... all in candlelight. During the week it seems like a quiet and calm bar, with a lot of comfortable sofas and armchairs, but on the weekends it opens its back room for long and dancy indie nights. Absolutely recommendable, Hebedas also offers billards.

Little creatures

A small and pleasant bar with all different types of music. The decoration insides remind of a second-hand shop as all chairs and tables are different. You can smoke inside and they also offer a lot of party games. The prices here are a little bit more expensive. The cheapest beer costs around €3.

Pawlow

One of the oldest punk rock bars in the neighbourhood... it looks like anything hasn't changed since the beginnings of the 90s. So, if you like good old German punk rock music and half of a litre draft beer for €1.50, you have to try it!...especially because one of the bartenders has been working there since the 90s. He doesn’t really like new people, especially tourists, but that's the point! That's why this place is so special. If you manage to conquer him, you will spend the funniest and craziest nights here.

BBC - Bar Brasserie Cassis

I would say that this is one of the best cocktail bars in town. The prices are amazing. They offer more than 40 cocktails, from €3.50 to €6. It is crowded all the time as the cocktails are very delicious. The earlier you come the best so you can enjoy a great night with an excellent atmosphere and super funny bartenders.

Groovestation

Famous for the special groovy music and laid back atmosphere. Sometimes they have live bands, sometimes just music out of the box, but it is always worth a visit! On Monday is student day, which means free entry, excellent parties and unforgettable nights with great music. Drinks are a little bit more expensive, so take advantage of Mondays.

Ostpol

One of the most iconic clubs in East Germany style. They offer concerts in a separated hall, playing form swing, blues, jazz music to punk/rock and electronic music, with guests of all ages. The bar room is unique and furnished like a former East German living room and you will definitely feel transported back in the past. You can also find typical East German gambling machines, they're funny but also tricky, the best thing is that they're still in black and white and use the technology of more than 30 years ago. Beer starts around €3, and you have to try the typical East German shot Pfeffi(peppermint liqueur).

Chemiefabrik

The place offers a lot of punk/rock/electronic concerts and it is very famous for people who like it more alternative. Concerts are amazing as the hall is quite big, dark and decorated with a lot of small details and the lighting effect are so great, that you could get lost in the music. It is also separated from the barroom, which gives an impression to be in two different worlds. The barroom also offers cosy places to sit down, a relaxed atmosphere and even football tables. After every concert, there is an aftershow party with DJs and different kinds of music: 80s, 90s, punk/rock or electronic music. There is also a small kiosk, where you can buy a vegetarian/vegan snack if you feel hungry. And the outside area is so big: in summer times people usually sit there on the floor and have a drink before the parties start. Chemiefabrik also offers a fireplace, which makes this place really unique and cosy. And prices are super fair!

Lebowski

When all the clubs and bars are closing, the Big Lebowski always let you have the laaaaaaaaast drink. It is a really small bar, where all the people go when they don't feel like going home yet. People are so drunk that you'll have fun for sure, even if sometimes it could be a little bit werid. .

Square Louisenstraße/Rothenburger Straße

This is the place to go during spring-summer nights. All people meet there to enjoy the Neustadt feeling. It is the square of Louisen Straße and Rothenburger Straße, it's not a bar and neither a club. You will just have to sit on the street, have a beer and chat with friends or meet new people. The atmosphere there is unique. And every day there is someone with a sound system, singing or making a performance, so you'll never get bored. It is the cheapest alternative, as you can bring your own drinks or buy them in Spätis (short form for Spätshop (late shop), which sells drinks for like €0.80 for half a litre of beer).

Most of the bars close between 4 and 7 am. But Dresden is a city which never sleeps on the weekends and you have the possibility to go on partying, sometimes till the early Monday morning hours.

Clubs

Neustadt

• Koralle: if you enjoy classy and noble atmospheres, then don't come here. In the middle of the new town, there is a small staircase down to Club Koralle. Here you can spend the night with deep house, tech house and techno sounds - sometimes chilly, sometimes really hard. The small dance floor makes the club a family destination for equal-minded people: it's all about the music and the joy of dancing! As it is really small, the entry costs just €3!
• Altes Wettbüro: diversity is very important in this club... Here, soul and hip-hop events are just as much part of the calendar of events as plate exchange and street art shows. The location is individual - depending on the event, different "floors" are opened or the garden bar enters service. The audience is as mixed as the events. The entry here is usually between €4 and €8, depending on the type of party.

Industriegelände

This district is located a bit far from the city centre, where you can find all the other big clubs. You can reach this party neighbourhood with tram 7 or 8: Industriegelände.

• Objekt klein a: the newest club in Dresden, which opened its doors in 2017. Although it is quite new, the club became soon one of the most famous for students and locals. Not only because of the unique decoration with a lot of beautiful details, and its amazing outdoor space for parties under the sky and really good electro parties, but also for being a safe space for all people of all genders. People going there have an emancipated dealing with each other, which makes the place special. They don’t accept discrimination and they put a clear sign against racism, fascism, sexism, homophobia and so on. Entry is between €7-€12, it depends on the parties and DJs and drinks are from €2 upwards. During the week they also organize workshops or lectures related to gender, feminism and actual political topics.
• Sektor Evolution: if you like really good and hard techno, this is the place for you. Sektor Evolution is one of the oldest clubs in Dresden, popular for parties, which never end. You can go there on a Friday night and, if you are strong, enough come out in the early Monday morning hours. The club has 3 floors: one for hard techno, where people usually lose their mind; another one for electronic music and the last one, which is outside, plays softer and relaxing music. Entry is a little bit more expensive because it has famous DJs playing. But there is the possibility to stay the whole weekend, so you can save money for a hostel :). Drinks are affordable. The cheapest beer is around €2.50.
• Paula: it is a nice and cosy club, located quite close to Sector Evolution. If you prefer smaller clubs with a more familiar atmosphere, you should go to Paula. Moreover, the music is different: it offers Drum’n’Bass, Indie or chart nights... a wide variety of nice music. Even the entry is more student-friendly, as you pay €5 and around €2 for a drink.

City Center

Almost every tram crosses the city center. So you can choose between numbers: 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 11 or 12 to Postplatz; or 3, 4, 7 and 9 to Pirnaischer Platz.

• Kraftwerk Mitte: probably the most spectacular club of the city in the middle of the old town. Huge projection surfaces let the interior appear again and again in a new light, a waterfall of several meters height pours behind the bars in the cellar and fire fountains are sprayed upwards. Shows, dancers, performers doing gymnastics under the covers - this is Kraftwerk Mitte. Prices from €5!
• Blue Dance Club: the Blue is located right next to the shopping mall Altmarkt Galerie and not far from Postplatz. Being in the middle of the city, it's easy for everyone to reach it. Especially during Wednesday evenings, it's a must-see if you enjoy the best Black Music. If you are a student, the entrance is cheaper... you will have to pay no more than €1.50, otherwise only €3, and if you order one drink you get two. Especially among students, the Black Music and R'n'B evening at Blue is really popular

Tip: in Germany all bottles have Pfand (deposit), also in clubs. So if you are out of money, just collect the bottles and try to get a new drink. Usually, bottles have €0.50 Pfand, glasses €1. But don’t make a business out of it; it is just an opportunity for people who are short of money.

Open airs

In spring and summer time there are a lot of open airs in the city. They are really popular among young people as they are for free and mostly in lovely hidden areas like the mountains or close to the lake. The atmosphere is amazing; people dance under the stars or just hang around and enjoy this unique atmosphere in the middle of nature. How to get there? It’s kind of difficult, because often they are not even legal, especially at night. But try to get in touch with some locals and they will let you know where and how to get there. This kind of free parties are absolutely worth it; go there and you will never regret it! Take care of the environment and don’t throw your trash into nature. Usually the “event managers” distribute portable ashtrays, so use them!

There are, of course, more bars and clubs in Dresden, for almost every taste of music. If you want to check where and when to go, click here.

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• Return to Neighbourhoods of Dresden - the most important districts of Dresden
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