Nuremberg
This converted factory, 2.5km south of the Hauptbahnhof, hosts live alternative music almost daily, both big-name acts and local names. Take the U1 or U2…
Nuremberg
This converted factory, 2.5km south of the Hauptbahnhof, hosts live alternative music almost daily, both big-name acts and local names. Take the U1 or U2…
Düsseldorf
This action-oriented non-profit cultural centre in an old factory has been around since 1977 and is still the go-to place for non-mainstream indie and…
Hamburg
This excellent local arthouse cinema skips the mainstream films and shows them in their original version (ie with German subtitles) on Tuesdays. Otherwise…
Deutsches Schauspielhaus Theatre
Hamburg
Germany’s largest and most important theatre presents imaginative interpretations of the classics (Shakespeare, Goethe, Chekhov et al) alongside new works…
Konstanz
Once a medieval church, this is now Konstanz’ most happening cultural venue, with a line-up skipping from salsa nights and film screenings to gigs, club…
Düsseldorfer Marionetten-Theater
Düsseldorf
Generations of kids and adults have been enthralled by the adorable marionettes that sing, dance and act their way through beautifully orchestrated operas…
Friedrichshain
This petite single-screen flick palace has presented movies since the silent era and is a delightful vintage venue to catch the latest art-house movies…
Kreuzberg
The white tent-shaped Tempodrom is a mid-sized venue with super-eclectic programming that may feature a salsa congress, an Iggy Pop concert, a magic show…
Hamburg
It has moved around a lot in its time, but wherever it has been in Hamburg, the city's oldest jazz club has been reliable for live jazz in all its forms,…
Frankfurt & Southern Rhineland
An long-time student favourite, this sociable bar is known for its nightly concerts as well as dance parties, many held on Friday and Saturday nights…
Dresden
Fresh from a thorough reconstruction, this mammoth-sized GDR-era parallelepiped decorated with Communist-themed murals is home to a renowned orchestra.
Frankfurt am Main
Hugely enjoyable even if you don’t speak German, Tigerpalast is a top venue for cabaret and Varieté theatre, with programs that often include acrobats,…
Frankfurt am Main
The Alte Oper hosts frequent concerts of symphonic and chamber music in its two halls, which seat 2450 and 720 respectively. Pop, jazz, singer-songwriter…
Mainz
See performances by up-and-coming artists and big-name international acts at this cultural venue. Some events take place at other venues around the city,…
Frankfurt am Main
Enormous cultural complex Städtische Bühnen includes Oper Frankfurt, the city’s main opera company. Tickets can be ordered by phone or online.
Würzburg
Soulful jazz spins beneath a corrugated-iron ceiling and stainless-steel fans, while bands and DJs play a couple of times or more a week in a second,…
Hanover
Hanover’s popular cabaret venue hosts everything from drag performers and French chanteuses to swing, jazz and blues bands. It's a couple of blocks east…
Hamburg
Germany's oldest professional English-language theatre has been around since 1976 and performs quality English drama with English actors to a…
Munich
On wide and bustling Schwanthalerstrasse, Munich's answer to London's West End hosts touring road shows such as Dirty Dancing, The Gruffalo and Mamma Mia.
Frankfurt am Main
This century-old former tram depot hosts innovative dance performances as well as Städtische Bühnen theatre and opera productions.
Jazzclub Unterfahrt im Einstein
Munich
Join a diverse crowd at this long-established, intimate club for a mixed bag of acts ranging from old bebop to edgy experimental. The Sunday open-jam…
Munich
Munich's premier orchestra regularly performs at the Gasteig Cultural Centre. Book tickets early, as performances usually sell out.
Lübeck
High-calibre concerts take place throughout the summer and winter semesters at this music academy. Check at the tourist office or their website for…
Hamburg
They're making beautiful music in this former factory that's an iconic Altona venue, where the music ranges from classical to club and the program spans…
Frankfurt am Main
Continental Europe’s largest English-language theatre company stages first-rate plays and musicals, with top actors hired after casting calls in London…
Trier
Housed in a former Tuchfabrik (towel factory), this vibrant cultural events venue hosts cabaret, live music of all sorts, theatre and dance performances.
Dresden
An old-school musical theatre reinventing itself in the ultramodern premises of the converted Kraftwerk Mitte powerplant.
Nuremberg
This small indie picture house, part of the large Cultural Quarter complex, shows foreign-language movies, plus reruns of cult German flicks and films for…
Nuremberg
This bar with live music and DJ nights is a Nuremberg institution. After 9pm it's usually standing room only and the party goes on well into the early…
Munich
Cult cinema with wacky interior and screenings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show (11.10pm Friday and Saturday nights). Shows English-language movies.
Munich
At the Münchner Theater für Kinder budding thespians can enjoy fairy tales and children's classics à la Max & Moritz and Pinocchio.
Augsburg
The celebrated puppet theatre holds performances of modern and classic fairy tales that even non–German speakers will enjoy. Advance bookings essential.
St Pauli & Reeperbahn
One of the more respectable clubs today on the Grosse Freiheit, this second venue for the Beatles survives in a much-altered form with regular live acts.
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf has an opera tradition going back to 1875. Its ensemble presents both opera and ballet here and in the sister venue in nearby Duisburg.
Munich
Spruced up to southern German standards for its 150th birthday in November 2015, this grand theatre specialises in light opera, musicals and dance.
St Pauli & Reeperbahn
In addition to excellent live music gigs and experimental DJ sets, this former slaughterhouse hosts anything from acoustic raves to spoken word.
Bonn
This chamber music hall is part of the Beethoven House complex. Buy tickets online at www.bonnticket.de.
Stuttgart
Suave chocolate-gold tones and soft lighting set the scene for first-rate jazz acts at Bix, swinging from big bands to soul and blues.
Munich
The Bayerische Staatsoper performs here. Buy tickets at regular outlets or at the box office.
Bremen City
Ethnic and world-music concerts, jazz, theatre, cabaret and variety are all complemented here by parties, art exhibitions and a bar.