The student population
keeps Strasbourg’s nightlife very vibrant. Many of the regular
hotspots are clustered around the Cathedral and
along rue des Juifs, however, it is worth considering
other options, including an evening tour on a bateau-mouche or the
son et lumière performances at the Cathedral in the summer.
The Bars stay open until at least 2330 hrs and often until 0400
hrs. The legal drinking age in France is 16 and
the average price of a beer is approximately €3. Dress code
and admission requirements are not an issue in Strasbourg.
Visitors proficient in the mother tongue can refer to Strass’Night,
published by the tourist office, for nightlife listings and current
information. There is also an excellent online source of useful
information, also in French (website: www.strassbuch.com
), compiled by knowledgeable local students.
Bars
Le Zurich, 59 rue de Zurich, is a sparse but
comfortable café, popular with students during term time.
Decorated with faded photographs, it has a certain old-world charm
and draws a mixed bunch, who gather to chat, read the newspaper
or play cards.
The relaxing Académie de la Bière,
17 rue Adolphe Seyboth, is open daily until 0400 hrs, serving over
70 varieties of beer (including beer cocktails) in gorgeous, wooded
interiors.
Le Schluch, 3 rue de l’Outre,
is a large, friendly and centrally located bierstub, not far from
place Kléber, while the Quai des Bières,
at the pont du Corbeau, is best visited for happy hour (1730-2000
hrs). It offers a large choice of beers and cocktails. Another must
is Les Frères Berthom, 1 place des Trippiers,
with attractive decor, friendly staff, a good variety of beer and
excellent cocktails.
Murphy’s House,
9 rue des Frères, is the obligatory Irish pub, although not
the only one in the city. It comes complete with Celtic music and
pop and British television. Irish Times, 19 Rue
St Barbe, also has live music, and is popular with students. They
have a quiz night on Wednesdays and an open mike sessions on Tuesdays.
Pub Nelson, 20 rue des Couples, is another
anglophile hangout, with a wide choice of beers from England, Ireland,
Belgium, Holland, France and Germany. The popular Tapas
Café, 16 rue de Bain Finkwiller, is an ideal place
to sink a jug of Sangria with friends. Designed by cutting-edge
architect Jean Nouvel, Le Schutzenberger, 29-31
rue des Grandes Arcades, is a hyper-trendy, futuristic, 3 levelled
bar that serves good tapas and snacks and is open daily 1000-0200
hrs (later during the weekend).
Perennial favourites include Les Aviateurs, 12
rue des Soeurs, and La Java-Le Village, 6 rue du
Faisans. More dignified evenings are in order at the Hilton
Hotel, avenue Herrenschmidt, which draws the business community
with its ever-so-British Churchill Bar.
Casinos
Casino de Niederbronn, 10 place des Thermes,
Niederbronn, is the region’s one and only casino, situated
to the north of Strasbourg. Games include the traditional roulette
and blackjack, as well as slot machines. The dress code is smart,
the minimum age is 18 years and a passport is required
for entry.
Clubs
Le Divan, 6 impasse de l’Ecrevisse,
features Latin music, house, groove and salsa (Tuesday-Saturday).
A mixed crowd dance the night away at Le Chalet,
376 route de la Wantzenau (Wednesday-Thursday 2200-0400 hrs), with
2 dancefloors, karaoke, restaurants and bars in a large, flash complex.
Another mammoth venue, Le Colysée, route
de Mommenheim, in nearby Brumath, is open Tuesday-Sunday 2200-0400
hrs and Wednesday 2030-0400 hrs, boasting one of the largest dancefloors
in the region, along with lasers, restaurants, and frequent themed
evenings.
For a more intimate evening, La Cascade, 17 rue
des Moulins (Thursday-Sunday 2200-0400 hrs), is an attractive little
discotheque, situated in the heart of the Petite France district.
Le Joker, 7 Simenstrasse (Frday-Saturday 2200-0500
hrs), is located in the industrial Kehl district and the venue of
choice for fans of RnB.
Two-level bar-club Le Café des Anges, 42
rue de la Krutenau (Tuesday-Saturday 2100-0400 hrs), plays salsa
with tango, as well as jazz and groove. Le Blue B,
1 rue du Miroir (Tuesday-Sunday 2200-0400 hrs) is a good all rounder,
with friendly staff, star-studded decor, a well-stocked bar and
good music.
For a student vibe, Le Caveau, 1 place de l’Université,
situated under La Gallia student canteen, is about as studenty as
it gets. For those who just want to keep partying, Le Rock
City, 24 rue des Poules, has after-parties on Saturday
and Sunday 0400-0700 hrs, with the emphasis very much on rock.
Live Music
La Salamandre, 3 rue Paul-Janet, open Wednesday-Sunday
2100-0400 hrs, is a popular venue that hosts around 40 major concerts
every year. International stars to have graced the stage include
The Stranglers, Les Négresses Vertes,
Pulp and Tri Yann. With space for around 500 people
and reasonable prices, early booking is advisable. In the absence
of major performances, check out salsa, 60s, 80s, student, flexigroove
and reggae evenings. The older members of the community are treated
to ballroom dancing on Sunday nights.
Another top venue for live performance is La Laiterie,
10 rue du Hohwald. Le Griot, at the impasse de
l’Ecrevisse, just opposite the Hôtel de Ville, on place
Broglie, is one of Strasbourg’s best jazz clubs. |
