Frankfurt am Main travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany.
Frankfurt nightlife splits into Apfelwein taverns in Sachsenhausen, cocktail bars and clubs around the Bahnhofsviertel and Innenstadt, and techno clubs in Offenbach. Evenings begin in a tavern from about 5PM, move to bars around 9PM and to clubs after midnight.
Frankfurt's scene is international and trade-fair driven: Hessian tavern tradition in Sachsenhausen, house and techno clubs on the Offenbach side of the Main (Robert Johnson, Hafen 2), a gritty but active Bahnhofsviertel of small bars, and concert halls such as Batschkapp and Jazzkeller.
At a glance
- Peak hours
- Taverns busiest 6PM-10PM; bars 9PM-1AM; clubs from about midnight to 4AM on Friday and Saturday.
- Average drink
- Apfelwein (0.3l glass) about €3-4 (~$3.45-4.60); beer (0.3-0.5l) about €3.50-5 (~$4.00-5.75); cocktails about €10-14 (~$11.50-16.10); club entry about €5-20 (~$5.75-23.00).
- Dress code
- Smart casual in most bars; neat dark clothing and clean shoes for Gibson, Velvet Club and hotel bars. Sneakers are fine in techno clubs, but sportswear, flip-flops and large groups of men may be refused at the door.
- Cover charge
- Venue hours change often; confirm on the venue website or social media the same day. Clubs run mainly Thursday to Saturday and some open only for events.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Sachsenhausen (Schweizer Straße and Große Rittergasse)
Traditional taverns and tourist bars south of the Main.
Best for: Apfelwein and Hessian food
Bahnhofsviertel
Bars and clubs between the Hauptbahnhof and Gallusanlage.
Best for: Cocktails and late clubs
Innenstadt (Zeil to Konstablerwache)
Gibson, Cookys, Silbergold, Nachtleben and Tigerpalast within a few minutes of each other.
Best for: Clubs and live music
Offenbach Hafen
Robert Johnson and Hafen 2 on the Nordring, a short taxi ride east.
Best for: Electronic music
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
Zum Gemalten Haus
Long-established Hessian tavern in Sachsenhausen with shared tables and house Apfelwein; a standard first stop on a tavern crawl.
Known for: Traditional Apfelwein tavern with painted walls and garden
Schweizer Straße 67, 60594, Frankfurt am Main
Apfelweinwirtschaft Wagner
Apfelwein and Hessian food (Schnitzel, Handkäs mit Musik) in a rustic dining room and courtyard next to Zum Gemalten Haus.
Known for: Apfelwein tavern with regional dishes
Schweizer Straße 71, 60594, Frankfurt am Main
Lorsbacher Thal
Apfelwein house known for Frankfurter Rippchen and Grüne Soße in a long tavern room and garden, in the Rittergasse tavern cluster.
Known for: Historic Apfelwein house with Frankfurt specialities
Große Rittergasse 49, 60594, Frankfurt am Main
Atschel
Small Hessian tavern with a loyal local crowd, near the Rittergasse.
Known for: Apfelwein tavern with Hessian cooking
Wallstraße 7, 60594, Frankfurt am Main
Zum Grauen Bock
Wood-panelled tavern on Große Rittergasse with Apfelwein, beer and Hessian plates.
Known for: Apfelwein pub in a traditional house
Große Rittergasse 30, 60594, Frankfurt am Main
Bar Shuka
Cocktail bar in the Bahnhofsviertel, a good late-evening stop within walking distance of the Hauptbahnhof.
Known for: Cocktail and wine bar
Niddastraße 56, 60329, Frankfurt am Main
Yachtklub
Waterside lounge on the Main with DJ nights and river views in the warm months; usually closed in winter.
Known for: Summer riverside lounge bar and club
Deutschherrnufer, 60594, Frankfurt am Main
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
Gibson
Large central club near the Zeil with pop, hip-hop and house; smart casual dress and a door policy apply.
Cover: Entry about €10-15 (~$11.50-17.25), varies by night
Hours: Typically Thu-Sat from about 10PM to 5AM; confirm
Velvet Club
Upscale club near Willy-Brandt-Platz; dress smartly and expect a door policy.
Cover: Entry about €15-20 (~$17.25-23.00)
Hours: Typically Fri-Sat from about 11PM; confirm
Robert Johnson
Offenbach club regularly ranked among Europe's best for electronic music; take a taxi from Offenbach Marktplatz; photos on the dancefloor are not allowed.
Cover: Entry about €10-15 (~$11.50-17.25)
Hours: Typically Fri-Sat from about 11PM, often until morning; confirm
Hafen 2
Art and music venue next to Robert Johnson with concerts, DJs and a courtyard.
Cover: Entry varies by event, about €5-12 (~$5.75-13.80)
Hours: Typically Thu-Sat evenings; programme varies
Nachtleben
Basement club (about 200 capacity) with indie, electronic and regular concerts near the Konstablerwache.
Cover: Entry about €5-15 (~$5.75-17.25)
Hours: Typically Wed-Sat evenings; concerts from about 8PM; confirm
Club Michel
A small Bahnhofsviertel club with DJ nights, a short walk from the Hauptbahnhof.
Cover: Entry about €8-12 (~$9.20-13.80)
Hours: Typically Fri-Sat from about 11PM; confirm
Pik Dame
Two-floor club close to the Hauptbahnhof with party hits and a late crowd.
Cover: Entry about €8-12 (~$9.20-13.80)
Hours: Typically Fri-Sat from about 11PM; confirm
Silbergold
Casual electro and indie club best visited after midnight, close to Konstablerwache.
Cover: Entry about €5-10 (~$5.75-11.50)
Hours: Typically Thu-Sat after about 11PM; confirm
Cookys
Long-standing small club with live bands and DJs on the Salzhaus lane.
Cover: Entry about €5-15 (~$5.75-17.25)
Hours: Typically Thu-Sat from about 9PM; confirm
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Batschkapp
Frankfurt's best-known concert club, in Gwinnerstraße since 2015; take U4 or a tram then a short walk. Tickets at batschkapp.com.
Jazzkeller
Germany's oldest jazz club with live jazz and jam sessions.
Tigerpalast
Variety theatre with acrobats and comedy and optional dinner; book ahead at tigerpalast.de.
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Late transport: the U-Bahn and S-Bahn run reduced night services on Fridays and Saturdays and night buses fill the gaps; check rmv.de or the RMV app for exact lines.
Pay Apfelwein tavern tabs at the table in cash; many do not take cards.
Keep valuables in a front pocket in the Bahnhofsviertel and avoid quiet side streets around Taunusstraße after midnight if alone.
Use licensed taxis (rank at the Hauptbahnhof) or the Uber and FreeNow apps; the emergency number is 112 (police 110).
Bring photo ID; clubs check age (minimum 18, some 21).
Offenbach clubs open late; take an S-Bahn to Offenbach Marktplatz, then a short taxi to Nordring.