It is late evening on the riverbank and the Main bridges are filling with people walking between the lit museums on one side and the cider taverns on the other. Further north, the streets around Sachsenhausen and Bockenheim are starting to hum with groups heading out for the night.
Frankfurt is a young city where socialising and parties rank high on the agenda, and its nightlife is broad rather than uniform. Part of it caters to the financial industry and business travellers, with a more upscale feel and venues where sneakers may not be acceptable. Alongside that there are plenty of bars and clubs for students, hipsters, fans of R&B and hip hop, and alternative rock. The main areas of action are Sachsenhausen, Bockenheim, Bornheim, Nordend and the city centre.
Where to go out in Frankfurt
1. Sachsenhausen
Sachsenhausen is the area most associated with bars, and in particular with the local apple wine tradition. This is where you go for a traditional, sociable evening rather than a polished one.
Ebbelwoi, also spelled Ebbelwei and known in standard German as Apfelwein or Äppler, is an apple cider that tastes very different from other ciders. Most locals drink it with a dash of sparkling water, ordered as a "Sauergespritzte" or simply a "Sauer".
2. Bockenheim
Bockenheim is one of the city's main areas of action for going out, and it sits alongside Nordend, Bornheim and the city centre in that role. It suits an evening that mixes bars with the general bustle of a young city.
If you want a cultural start to the night, the Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company performs modern ballet at the Bockenheimer Depot.
3. Bornheim
Bornheim is listed among the main areas of action for socialising and parties. It suits a relaxed, neighbourhood-style night out rather than a big-venue one.
As with the other main areas, you will find good bars all over rather than concentrated in a single strip, so it pays to wander rather than commit to one spot.
4. Nordend
Nordend is another of the main areas of action, and like Bornheim and Bockenheim it works for an evening that unfolds on foot.
Frankfurt's nightlife is varied enough that the audience changes from place to place, so the character of your night depends heavily on which part of the city you choose.
5. The city centre
The centre is one of the main areas of action and also where you find cafés. There are few cafés on Großer Hirschgraben, where Café Karin and Walden are popular with locals, and in summer you can use one of the open-air rooftop bars.
Parts of the centre's nightlife cater to a more upscale audience given the city's financial industry and business travellers, so dress expectations vary between venues.
6. The area near the central train station
Near the central train station there is a red light district that is heavily patrolled by police and the Ordnungsamt, with large brothels, porn cinemas and bars. Strip clubs such as Golden Gate Frankfurt are popular for bachelor and bachelorette parties at the weekend, and similar places are within walking distance.
If you go, check pricing upfront to avoid problems with bouncers afterwards.
7. Trinkhallen
For a quick drink on the go, small shops called Trinkhalle are found all over town and are usually open well into the night. Most of the time you order and buy directly from the street.
Drinking alcohol on the street is legal in Germany, which makes these a practical option between venues.
8. Clubs
Frankfurt has many clubs that cater to business people and organise corporate events. The German preference for electronic music means there is a wide variation of clubs offering it, while alternative music is a niche market tied to the city's migrant roots.
This spread means you can find both a corporate-oriented night and a specialist music night in the same city, so decide which you want before you set out.
How a night out unfolds
The sources describe Frankfurt as a young city where socialising and parties are always high on the agenda, and the main going-out areas are Sachsenhausen, Bockenheim, Bornheim, Nordend and the city centre. Trinkhallen stay open well into the night for drinks on the go, and the Long Night of Museums keeps most museums open until the early morning of the next day, which indicates that nights in the city can run late. Beyond that, the sources do not specify when people eat or typical closing times.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- Lange Nacht der Museen (Long Night of Museums) — one night a year in mid-May, with most museums open until the early morning and special bus lines between them. It is very crowded, so buy a ticket in advance and pick up a schedule and bus route map.
- Christopher Street Day (CSD Frankfurt) — an LGBT parade and festival in mid-July, centred on Konstablerwache.
- Museumsuferfest — a massive three-day outdoor festival in late August along both sides of the downtown waterfront, with stages, live music, DJs, food, shops and museum events. It is free, can get very crowded in places, and there are often queues to cross the Eiserner Steg bridge. Fireworks close the last day.
- Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse) — held yearly in mid-October. The last two days are open to the general public, with book sales allowed on Sunday only. The public days draw many manga and anime fans in costume; photography is allowed but only after asking permission.
- Christmas Market (Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt) — at Römerberg, Paulsplatz and Mainkai, from late November to 22 December, open Monday to Saturday 10:00–21:00 and Sunday 11:00–21:00. It is one of the biggest German Christmas markets, with a large tree.
Fireworks displays also occur throughout the year, often closing major events such as the Museumsufer festival. The New Year fireworks are unorganised and less spectacular; good vantage points are the Main bridges or the river banks.
Frequently asked questions
Which parts of Frankfurt are best for going out?
Sachsenhausen, Bockenheim, Bornheim, Nordend and the city centre are the main areas of action. Sachsenhausen is most associated with bars, while the centre also has cafés and, in summer, open-air rooftop bars.
What is Ebbelwoi and how should I order it?
Ebbelwoi is a regional apple cider, also spelled Ebbelwei and listed as Apfelwein or Äppler in standard German. It tastes very different from other ciders. Most locals drink it with a dash of sparkling water, ordered as a "Sauergespritzte" or simply a "Sauer".
Can I drink alcohol on the street?
Yes. Drinking alcohol on the street is legal in Germany, and Trinkhallen sell drinks to take away, usually open well into the night.
Do I need to dress up to go out?
It depends on the venue. Because of the financial industry and business travellers, parts of the nightlife cater to a more upscale audience, and at some such venues sneakers may not be acceptable. There are also plenty of bars and clubs aimed at students, hipsters and specific music crowds.
Decide which part of the city fits the evening you want, check the timing of any festival you can build the night around, and plan your route before you head out.