Nightlife

Nights here are alive with the youthful enthusiasm of Heidelberg's students. Early evenings often start in the bars along Hauptstrasse; then late nights get rolling in the clubs around Marktplatz.

The Performing Arts

The main performance stage is Theater der Stadt, Theaterstrasse 4 (tel. 06221/582000; bus: 41 or 42), where nightly entertainment includes plays, opera, and dance productions. From June 24 to August 13, the Schlossfest-Spiele festival brings opera, classical music, jazz, and theater to venues around the area, including Heidelberg Castle. Contact Herdelberler Ticket Service, Theaterstrasse 4 (tel. 06221/5820000), for tickets.

Historic Student Drinking Clubs

Heidelberg's most famous and revered student tavern, Zum Roten Ochsen (Red Ox Inn), Hauptstrasse 217 (tel. 06221/20977; bus: 33), opened in 1703. For six generations, it has been in the Spengel family; they have welcomed everybody from Bismarck to Mark Twain. It seems that every student who has attended the university has left his or her mark (or initials) on the walls. The series of rooms, where revelers sit at long oak tables under smoke-blackened ceilings, is arranged in horseshoe fashion; the U part has a pianist who sets the musical pace. As the evening progresses, the songs become louder and louder. A mug of beer costs 2.50€ ($3.25) and up, wine is 3.50€ ($4.55) per glass. Meals go from 9€ to 22€ ($12-$29). The tavern is open Monday through Saturday 5pm to midnight; from April to October, it is also open from 11:30am to 2pm. It's closed mid-December to mid-January.

Next door is Zum Sepp'l, Hauptstrasse 213 (tel. 06221/23085; bus: 11 or 33), open since 1634, the second-most famous drinking club in Heidelberg. It's also filled with photographs and carved initials of former students, along with memorabilia that ranges from old Berlin street signs to Alabama license plates. The building itself dates from 1634. Meals cost 8€ to 18€ ($11-$24). A mug of beer goes for 2.50€ ($3.25). There's live piano music Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 7pm to midnight. When the university is closed, the activity dies down considerably. It's open Monday to Friday noon to 11pm, and Saturday and Sunday 11:30am to 3:30pm and 5pm to midnight.

Bars & Cafés

Max Bar, Marktplatz 5 (tel. 06221/24419; bus: 11 or 33), is a beer-drinker's bar, but you can also get a baguette or croissant to soak up some of the alcohol. There's indoor and patio seating. It's open daily 8am to 1am. When you tire of beer and want a more spirited drink, wander over to Sonder Bar, Unterestrasse 13 (tel. 06221/25200; bus: 41 or 42), which stocks more than 150 brands of whiskey, 10 kinds of vodka, and sundry other potions, besides its 11 types of beer. It's open daily 2pm to 2am (Fri-Sat until 3am).

Catch up on the latest news and trends at Café Journal, Hauptstrasse 162 (tel. 06221/161712; bus: 41 or 42), where drinkers linger over beer while scanning newspapers and magazines from all over Europe and the United States. The cafe is open daily 8am to midnight. Hard Rock Cafe, Hauptstrasse 142 (tel. 06221/22819; bus: 41 or 42), has a branch here, open 10am to 1am.

Live Music & Clubs

Once-sleepy Heidelberg now has a thriving music scene. A welcome addition on the scene for salsa lovers is Havana Cocktailbar-Restaurant, Neckarstaden 24 (tel. 06221/3893430), adding some Latino zest to this university town. Tapas and mojitos, along with some 100 cocktails, brighten the evening, as does the live piano music. The trendy Print Media Lounge, Kurfürstenanlage 60 (tel. 06221/653949), has opened across from the rail station. Serving full meals, it's mainly known for its music and exotic cocktails. There's soul, funk, and jazz on Sundays; DJs play on Friday and Saturday nights.