Dublin
A cinema night may not always be a glamorous event, but at the Stella Theatre it is. A narrow entrance opens up to sumptuous art deco glory with…
Must-see entertainment in Europe
Manchester
One of Britain's best arts centres, HOME has two theatre spaces that host provocative new work in a variety of contexts, from proscenium sets to promenade…
Den Haag
Call it a club, a temple to live music or just a great place to hang out, Paard is a Den Haag institution. The program of live music is eclectic –…
Prague
Most of Prague’s jazz clubs are cellar affairs, but this riverside club is a definite step up, with clean, modern decor and a decidedly romantic view out…
Jūrmala
This legendary open-air concert hall (there is a roof, but no walls) dates back to 1897. Now modernised, there are two stages – one large and one small –…
Santiago de Compostela
There's no better place for Celtic and other live music. Head to the tightly packed downstairs bar at about 10.30pm most Wednesdays from September to May…
Cork City
Given a modern makeover in the 1990s, this leading venue has been entertaining the city for more than 150 years with everything from opera and ballet to…
Trieste
This quirky 1953 petrol station, designed by Ernesto Rogers (Richard Rogers' cousin) and the BBPR firm, was saved from dereliction in 2008 and turned into…
Liverpool
Whether you're looking to join a drumming circle, take part in a martial-arts workshop or lose yourself at a rave, this terrific venue in a former…
Budapest
At this cultural centre in Lipótváros, there are wonderful mixed traditional táncház (folk music and dance workshops) from 8pm on Saturday that run till…
Hania
Established in 1978, this Hania institution in a Venetian building offers smooth jazz and blues, and occasionally live bands or DJs, in an intimate…
Dresden
Generations of young folks have memories of the 'Barn', which started out as a mainstream GDR-era youth club before turning into an offbeat culture centre…
Galway City
Internationally renowned, the Druid Performing Arts Company was established in 1975 and is famed for staging experimental works by young Irish playwrights…
Kraków
Lively jazz haunt housed in an atmospheric, intimate cellar right on the Main Market Square. Harris hosts jazz and blues bands most nights from around 9…
Nişantaşi, Bomonti & Harbiye
İstanbul's pre-eminent live-music venue has been packing the crowds in since 1999 and shows no sign of losing its mojo, especially now that it has moved…
Warsaw
Offering many performances with English subtitles this is one of the best places in Warsaw to catch contemporary drama. Based in an artfully converted…
Ghent
A visionary architectural premonition of art deco, the 1912 Vooruit building is a prominent venue for dance, rock concerts, film and visiting theatre…
Ljubljana
This renovated old movie theatre now houses an urban cultural centre, hosting mainly indie, rock and alternative bands from around Slovenia and the rest…
Reykjavík
Dark and raw, this large bar opens up its back room to create a much-loved concert venue, with a wide range of live music or DJs most nights. It's one of…
Brussels
A small and unassuming but immensely popular Ixelles venue, Sounds has concerts most nights, with styles varying from modern to big band to salsa. The…
Akureyri
Tucked down a lane beside Blaá Kannan, this intimate venue is the best place in town to see live music – and one of the best in the country. If you get…
Mevlâna Museum Whirling Dervish Performance
Konya
In the summer months, the whirling dervishes perform the sema in the intimate setting of the Mevlâna Museum's outdoor theatre every Thursday night. Enter…
Cork City
A fantastic cultural centre housed partly in a renovated church building. Expect a varied program of live music, visual art, photography and theatre at…
Kuşadası
On a narrow street in the Kaleiçi, this perennial favourite in an atmospheric old stone house and courtyard is where you can listen to the nightly…
Matera
This unusual cafe/bar and 'nano-theatre' is a production agency by day, but comes alive four nights a week to host film screenings, live music, product…
North London
This stalwart pub theatre hosts new plays and musicals, along with revivals of classics. Classical music and opera are part of the mix, too. It's always…
Serbia
Reminiscent of Belgrade's ultra-cool KC Grad, this NGO-run, basement cafe-club organises all manner of alternative events from concerts, exhibitions and…
Belfast
Black Box is an innovative arts venue, hosting a dynamic program of music, theatre, magic nights, spoken word events, comedy, film and more on Hill St in…
Belfast
A converted late-Victorian church (reputed to be haunted) with three floors of entertainment, the Empire is a legendary live-music venue. Look out for…
Munich
Germany's most successful team both domestically and on a European level plays home games at the impressive Allianz Arena, built for the 2006 World Cup…
Maastricht
Great for offbeat and classic films but also worth visiting for its former powerstation setting, tempting waterside bar-terrace and quirky, post …
Brussels
Inside the graceful, glassed-over Galeries St-Hubert, this art deco beauty concentrates on foreign and art-house films. An authentic Brussels movie…
Liechtenstein
Theater am Kirchplatz (TAK) is Liechtenstein's top venue for theatre, classical music and dance. A full schedule of what's coming up is on the website.
Malmö
Opened in 2015, Malmö Live is a world-class concert hall and home to the Malmö Symphony Orchestra.
Glasgow
This much-loved three-screener off Sauchiehall St shows art-house cinema and classics.
St Petersburg
This magnificent venue is just one part of an immaculate architectural ensemble designed by Carlo Rossi. The theatre’s interior oozes 19th-century…
Bay of Naples
Naples' football team, Napoli, is the fourth most supported in Italy after Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan, and watching it play in the country's third…
Cardiff
Established in 1972 and now Cardiff's edgiest arts venue, Chapter has a varied rota of contemporary drama, as well as art exhibitions, arthouse cinema,…
Oslo
Blå is all things to everyone, with DJs (it happens to be the city's best spot for hip-hop), live gigs and jazz. On Sundays there is a live big band that…
Granada
Founded in 1949, La Platería claims to be Spain's oldest flamenco club. Unlike some of Andalucía's more private clubs, it regularly opens its doors to…
