The cool places that open up to serve breakfast/brunch, go on to serve lunch and then turn into a café until din-nertime draws in the foodies, after which the cocktail bar mixes drinks and the crowd piles onto the dancefloor.
Alex D-2, Eschenheimer Anlage 40, MEschenheimer Turm, tel. (+49)(0)69 91 50 97 80, alex@alexgastro.
de, www.alexgastro.de. A great place to hit before or after seeing a movie at the nearby English cinema (Turm-Palast), Alex offers a retro diner-like atmosphere with a bit of an upscale twist. Part of a large chain, diversity seems to be their speciality. Our favourite is the cheap breakfast buffet and the oversized sandwiches. They also have a fantastic ice cream selection, and a complete cocktail menu, all in English.
QOpen 09:00 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 09:00 - 03:00. (€4-9). AB Buena Vista D-2, Grosse Eschenheimer Str. 13, MHaupt-wache, tel. (+49)(0)69 90 02 58 35, info@buenavista-ffm.
de, www.buenavista-ffm.de. Antiqued furniture and chande-liers, as well as oversized comfy leather chairs create an upscale dining atmosphere, appropriate for either a late night cognac with cigar or lunch. Most impressive are the generously sized, beauti-fully presented and delectable tapas, such as grilled mushrooms and aubergine in sheep’s cheese and tomato. Steaks, fajitas, a full cocktail bar, and great service round out the bill. QOpen 11:30 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 11:30 - 02:00. (€11-21). PAB Bull & Bear D-2, Schillerstr. 11, MHauptwache, tel.
(+49)(0)69 133 88 73, [email protected], www.
bullandbear.de. Named for its location directly next to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and sporting a summer terrace, this sleek-looking place has great service and is crowded With enough students, expats, mid-range spenders,
busi-nessmen and high-spending hotshots, Frankfurt’s nightlife scene certainly isn’t dull.
with suit types and big spenders. There’s a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, reasonably priced for this part of town, with everything from Mediterranean to crossover food.
The Börsenkeller club downstairs opens for house parties for over-30s on most Saturday nights. QOpen 10:00 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 03:00. PAB
Café & Bar Celona D-2, Holzgraben 31, MHauptwa-che, tel. (+49)(0)69 13 88 67 09, [email protected], www.cafe-bar-celona.de. Be wary of hitting this already favourite Frankfurt café just after 18:00, as it is located in the heart of Frankfurt’s banking district and locals have quickly caught on to its great atmosphere, low prices, and impressive outdoor seating arrangement. Crispy flour tortilla pizzas make for fantastic cheap eats but there is also a generous selection of wraps, main dishes, cocktails, wines and beers. Super trendy Spanish influenced décor is mirrored by its super trendy clientele, so it’s probably best to look the part. QOpen 09:00 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 09:00 - 02:00.
(€4-10). RB
EuroDeli C-3, Neue Mainzer Str. 60 - 66, MTaunusanla-ge, tel. (+49)(0)69 29 80 19 50, [email protected], www.
eurodeli.de. Because it’s located near many of Frankfurt’s bank buildings, this is a popular spot for after-work happy hour. Tuesday nights are especially loud and busy, sometimes requiring a short wait to get in. Order drinks as well as food at the bar. A DJ usually plays a mix of modern music. QOpen 17:00 - 01:00. Closed Sat, Sun. A
Flipper F-1, Berger Str. 86, MMerianpl., tel. (+49)(0)69 44 33 05. Flipper is by far one of the most popular cafés in Frankfurt’s famous Bornheim area. It has a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, and offers different lush salad platters that change daily. Always check out the special features for the day (Tageskarte), as these are usually better than the burgers and fries offered on the normal menu. The generous portions of food are definitely above average, but it’s more a place to see and be seen. QOpen 09:00 - 02:00, Fri, Sat 09:00 - 03:00, Sun 10:00 - 02:00. B
Gagos D-2, Zeil 112-114, MHauptwache, tel. (+49) (0)69 35 35 15 00, [email protected], www.gagos-bar.
de. The stuff of a typical trendy Frankfurt bar, this is a café by day with international offerings, from soups and salads to tacos and tandoori chicken. The crowd rolls around from weary afternoon shoppers taking a coffee or lunch break to a trendier after-work crowd, who party at the weekend when it is transformed into a rooftop nightclub. It’s worth it for the view alone. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. Club open Fri, Sat 22:00 - 05:00. (€5-13). PB
Hannibal I-2, Berger Str. 185 - 187, MBornheim Mitte, tel. (+49)(0)69 94 50 04 44, [email protected], www.restaurant-hannibal.de. This is a great place to catch up on some people watching while downing coffee, eating or just lounging the day away. Located on the centre square area of Bornheim, the bar and restaurant are stylishly decorated and Hannibal serves tasty snacks such as spring rolls and mozzarella sticks as well as trendy new-German dishes like the modified Wiener Schnitzel. Fish arrives with a colourful and edible garnish. QOpen 09:00 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 09:00 - 02:00, Sun 10:00 - 01:00.
Harvey’s E-1, Bornheimer Landstr. 64, MMerianpl., tel. (+49)(0)69 49 73 03, fax (+49)(0)69 48 00 17 05, www.harveys-frankfurt.de. One of the best spots in town, this place is bumping with groovy beats, good drinks, a delec-table menu and a hip crowd. Also a hot spot in the local gay scene. The interior is bedecked by grand cathedral windows
and adorned with shimmering colours and shapes. Super by night or day. QOpen 10:00 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 02:00. B IMA C-2, Kleine Bockenheimer Str. 14, MHauptwache, tel. (+49)(0)69 90 02 56 65, [email protected], www.
ima-multibar.de. Professing to be the feel-good option, IMA does seem to run a tight healthy ship around these parts with predominantly fresh sandwiches, baked potatoes, and salads, with all kinds of interesting ways of dressing them up, such as coconut cashew sauce or Asia-vinaigrette. Everything is homemade and it’s quite cheap. IMA transforms into a cocktail bar by night, offering poetry slams, DJs, musicians and film nights. QOpen 09:30 - 01:30, Mon, Tue, Wed 09:30 - 20:30. Closed Sun. EB
mc² lounge B-3, Niddastr. 101-103, MHauptbahnhof, tel. (+49)(0)69 272 277 80, [email protected], www.
mc2lounge.de. Bring some E when you visit the mc², a small but comfortable lounge bar that’s relatively close to the train station. Einstein jokes aside, this is a great place to head for a quick coffee or a more relaxed time with a cocktail or snacks like cakes, muffins, and Greek, Italian and Spanish tapas. QOpen 10:00 - 01:00, Thu, Fri 10:00 - 02:00, Sat 18:00 - 02:00. Closed Sun.
Schirn Café D-3, Römerberg 6a, tel. (+49)(0)69 21 99 63 68, [email protected], www.schirn-cafe.de. Newly renovated to perfection, large groups will have no problems fitting into this massive café. Attached to the Schirn art gallery, the mammoth vaulted ceilings and interesting art installations are sure to impress, particularly in the toilets. The food (and service) is really good, salads and sandwiches with a Medi-terranean flair. Enjoy a well-prepared cocktail and join them for salsa dancing or live music. The eat-all-you-can Sunday brunch (from 10:00, €12) is free for children. QOpen 10:00 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 02:00, Sun 18:00 - 00:00. PAEB Sunset D-2, Liebfrauenberg 37, MHauptwache, tel.
(+49)(0)69 202 30. Predominantly a gay café, its innovative food and eclectic ambience attract a mixed crowd, particularly at weekends. Inside is a little like a chic tearoom with roses creeping the walls and a crystal chandelier. Good service and fresh ingredients. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. (€7-14). ABP Textor D-4, Textorstr. 38, MLokalbahnhof, tel. (+49) (0)69 62 22 99, [email protected], www.textor-ffm.de.
Friendly and dedicated staff will serve you some excellent variations on pasta dishes and traditional German cuisine, such as their fantastic vegetarian lasagne. The weekend breakfast buffet is plentiful and affordable by Frankfurt stan-dards, and of course the cocktails for the night time crowd are fantastic. QOpen 10:00 - 01:00. (€8-16). B
34 NIGHTLIFE
The Lounge D-2, Weißadlergasse 15, MDom/Römer, tel.
(+49)(0)69 28 82 33. Close to the Hauptwache yet hidden from the main street, this is a preferred after-work hangout for those who crave a mellow atmosphere. The interior is that of a new-age bistro, with wooden floors and walls covered in shades of orange and red. The dinner menu includes a variety of op-tions, from light snacks to expensive dishes like calf medallions and risotto. QOpen 11:00 - 01:00, Sun 18:00 - 00:00. AB V Element D-2, Große Eschenheimer Str. 20, MEschen-heimer Turm, tel. (+49)(0)69 21 99 64 41, v-element@
gmx.de, www.v-element.de. It’s as if Barbarella accidentally dropped her space ship into Frankfurt, and is using this as her secret hideout. This garish space-themed bar is located right next to the English cinema (Turm Palast), so they get an inter-national crowd coming in before and after the show. The daily happy hours feature over 100 cocktails, and there are lots of Tex Mex snacks and tapas, including chicken fried on a stick in innumerable styles. Service varies, but the cocktails are always spot on. Q Open 11:30 - 14:30; 17:00 - 02:00, Fri 11:30 - 14:30, 17:00 - 03:00, Sat, Sun 17:00 - 02:00. (€7-22). PAB Walden D-2, Kleiner Hirschgraben 7, MHauptwache, tel. (+49)(0)69 92 88 27 00, [email protected], www.walden-frankfurt.com. Inspired by the words of Henry Thoreau, as scribed on the lime green walls of the café, pure simplicity is the concept of Walden. A blend of east and west fusion cooking, such as spinach salmon lasagne in a wasabi Hollandaise sauce or the tandoori chicken salad, they also do great pizza, pasta and steak. Friendly service and beautiful presentation round out this café’s charm. Upstairs is a snazzy nightclub/lounge offering jazz and lounge music, funky décor, and splendid cocktails, with live music every Wednesday.
QOpen 09:00 - 01:00, Sun 09:00 - 18:00. EB
Clubs
Batschkapp Maybachstr.24, tel. (+49)(0)69 95 21 84 10, [email protected], www.batschkapp.de. The third largest professional venue for bands and concerts, Batschkapp is definitely a place you should plan to go if you are in the mood for some live music. The feel changes according to each differ-ent act that comes in of course, but the general atmosphere is great for seeing a band as the stage and the dance floor are in such close proximity that you really feel like part of the show. The capacity is fairly small, but many a famous band has headlined here. Q Open Fri, Sat 22:00 - 04:00. E Cocoon J-2, Carl-Benz-Str. 21, tel. (+49)(0)69 90 02 00, www.cocoonclub.net. A stylish and beautiful visual world made concrete, DJ Sven Väth’s creation employs genetic ar-chitecture inspired by nature to create a breathtaking nightclub that literally comes alive. The ‘membrane wall,’ a combination of a wire and plastic mesh matrix dramatically encircles the dance floor, where the 120,000-Watt sound system blasts house and techno music to an amazing array of light visuals.
Guests can nestle up in leather cocoon couch pads that are housed within the wall, or choose a VIP room with adjustable lights, sound and cameras to spy on the rest of the guests. Q Open Fri, Sat 22:00 - 06:00. Admission €15. A
Cooky’s D-2, Am Salzhaus 4, MHauptwache, tel. (+49) (0)69 28 76 62, [email protected], www.cookys.de. A downstairs nightclub, Cooky’s lacks the grace and (happily) the snobbishness that some nightclubs around town are infamous for. Playing mostly hip-hop, house and R ‘n’ B, they also have great live concerts. Plenty of tables and chairs surround the dance floor so you can sit and chat but Cooky’s is definitely more of a booty shaking good time. Q Open 22:00 - 07:00; Fri, Sat 22:00 - 09:00; Wed, Thurs, Sun 23:00 - 07:00. Admission €7. E
Deelight D-2, Holzgraben 6, MHauptwache, tel. (+49) (0)69 46 09 43 55. A bar first and a club second, this place offers something very special for the late night partier:
no cover charge. The music is always house, the theme is barely Inca, and there are usually drink specials on. The first section is primarily a bar, but in the back there are large vinyl booths set up round a smallish dance floor. A bit crowded, with a very hip atmosphere. QOpen 19:00 - 04:00, Fri, Sat 19:00 - 05:00.
Galerie B-3, Düsseldorfer Str. 1-7, MHauptbahnhof, tel.
(+49)(0)69 96 00 96, www.galerie-frankfurt.de. This club near the station is full of singles on the prowl; women have a much easier time getting in when the place is full. Inside there’s a central dance floor with disco, pop and hip-hop, an upstairs balcony, the Platin-VIP lounge, and a mix of fashion on parade. Galerie is especially popular for its after-work parties on Thursday. No jeans. Galerie professes a open ended closing time and hosts private parties. Q Open Thu 18:00 - 05:00; Fri, Sat 22:00 - 05:00. A
King Kamehameha I-2, Hanauer Landstr. 192, tel.
(+49)(0)69 480 03 70, [email protected], www.king-kamehameha.de. Known as the Kingka for obvious reasons, this is Frankfurt’s swankiest club. It’s also one of the most restrictive - expect to be turned down at the door if you’re wearing jeans, khakis or anything that marks you as a tourist. An 80s band plays to a full house on Thursday nights. A bar covers the length of the right-side wall downstairs, and there’s a large dance floor in the center. Q Opened Thursday 21:00-4:00; Friday & Saturday 22:00-4:00.
Closed Sunday except the last Sunday of the month open from 19:00 - 01:00. Admission €10. E
Living XXL C-3, Kaiserstr. 29, MWilly-Brandt-Pl, tel.
(+49)(0)69 24 29 370, [email protected], www.liv-ingxxl.de. The city’s largest nightclub has three bars and a raised dining room that looks onto the dance floor. It’s located in the ground floor of the Eurotower. DJs play a mix of modern and retro tunes, and you can check the large video screens showing live images to make sure that you’re not missing any action elsewhere in the club. QOpen Mon 11:30 - 15:00, Tue 11:30 - 23:00, Wed 11:30 - 01:00, Thu 11:30 - 03:00, Fri 11:30 - 04:00, Sat 19:00 - 05:00. Closed Sun. A O25 I-2, Ostparkstr. 25, tel. (+49)(0)69 79 30 63 58, [email protected], www.o25.de. Located in an old bomb shelter, this dark and mysterious club offers an extensive array of music from Goa techno and Indian vibes to standard house for varied moves and grooves. Events are listed on the website. QOpen 23:00 - 06:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun. Admission €4-8.
Sansibar C-3, Taunustor 2 (Japan Tower), MTaunusan-lage, tel. (+49)(0)69 26 95 79 84, [email protected], www.sansibar.us. Trendy club/bar inside the red Japan Tower, with stylish cocktails and great parties. On Wednes-days: Blue Moon Swing, live music. Also check out their good-weather-only rooftop garden bar at Hanauer Landstr.
190 (open Wed- Sat 19:00 - 03:00). QOpen 18:00 - 02:00, Thu 18:00 - 04:00, Fri 20:00 - 04:00, Sat 21:00 - 04:00.
Closed Mon, Sun. Admission free.
Santa Maria D-2, Holzgraben 9, tel. (+49)(0)69 46 09 43 55. Religious relics abound in this underground nightclub.
You will pass the namesake everywhere you go, making you feel like God is really watching you. The seating resembles church pews all along the walls, and there are vividly coloured blue sloping walls that are designed to resemble chapel domes, with small shrines to Maria hidden everywhere. With
three enormous dance floors and one very long bar, you should find plenty of room to groove and drink to the hip-hop and house offerings here. QOpen 22:00 - 05:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Wed. Admission €5-7, Thu free. P
Sinkkasten D-2, Brönnerstr. 5, MKonstablerwache, tel. (+49)(0)69 28 03 85, [email protected], www.sinkkasten-frankfurt.de. The type of music played changes every night, but generally varies from 80s to pop.
Massive in size, there will always be room on the dancefloor for you. But if you’d rather just observe, it also provides two rows of theatre seating around the dancefloor to observe your fellow club-goers. There may be a long line to get in, but entrance standards are casual and open to all. QOpen 21:00 - 02:00, Thu, Sat 22:00 - 04:00, Fri 21:00 - 03:00, Sun 20:00 - 02:00. Admission €5.
Tel. 01805 069 9 60 (24hr information: €0.14/min), www.nachtbus-frankfurt.de.
Offering service all nights these convenient night buses will take you to your destination almost anywhere in Frankfurt. Ticket prices are the normal fare, so you may use a daily, weekly or monthly card to get on, or pay for a one-way ticket to get to your desired location. Buses pick up every half hour from Konstablerwache from 01:30-03:30. There are also several regional nightbuses running only on Fridays, Saturdays, and on days before public holidays (which are numerous in Hesse), usually every hour.