Essen, as a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is not only famous for its profound cultural history and rich industrial heritage, but also has an undeniable influence on nightlife and bar culture. Whether you are a veteran who likes beer or a new-school drinker who loves all kinds of cocktails, Essen’s bars can meet your various needs. From traditional German bars to fashionable cocktail bars, Essen’s nights are always full of vitality and creativity.
1. Overview of Essen Bars
1.1 Cultural background of Essen bars
Essen’s bar culture is deeply influenced by local German alcoholic beverages, especially beer. Germany has a rich beer brewing tradition. As an important city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen has many bars that serve locally brewed beer. With the rise of youth culture, cocktail bars and modern bars are also booming here, forming a diversified nightlife landscape. Whether you want to experience the lively atmosphere of traditional German bars or seek unique cocktails and creative drinks, Essen’s bars can bring different night enjoyment.
1.2 Considerations for choosing a bar
In Essen, it is important to choose a place that suits your needs. Some bars focus on beer and offer authentic German beer, while others focus on a variety of creative cocktails and alcoholic drinks. For those who like a quiet and comfortable environment, some quiet small bars may be ideal. If you prefer a lively party atmosphere, you can choose bars that offer live music and party atmosphere.
2. Featured bar recommendation
2.1 Kumpir Bar
2.1.1 Bar history and overview
Kumpir Bar is a classic bar in Essen, offering a variety of German local beers and becoming a popular gathering place for locals and tourists. The bar’s name comes from a Turkish baked potato (Kumpir). The store offers delicious snacks related to Turkish culture, and attracts everyone who comes here with a friendly atmosphere and a rich variety of beer.
2.1.2 Location and transportation
Kumpir Bar is located in Kettwiger Strasse in the center of Essen. It is very conveniently located and can be reached on foot from Essen Central Station. There are many restaurants and small shops around, which is suitable for continuing to hang out after the bar.
2.1.3 Bar Features and Taste
Kumpir Bar has a wide variety of beers, and is especially famous for its imported Turkish beer. In addition, it also offers a range of specialty cocktails, such as classic mojitos and Long Island iced teas. For snacks, Turkish-style baked potatoes are a must-try delicacy, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, perfect for pairing with beer.
2.1.4 Suitable Crowd and Cost
Kumpir Bar is suitable for tourists and locals who like to enjoy authentic beer and special snacks. The price of beer in the bar is usually between 3 and 5 euros, and the price of cocktails is between 7 and 10 euros.
2.1.5 Booking Platform
It is easy to book a seat at the bar through platforms such as OpenTable or Tripadvisor.
2.2 Ratsherrn Bar
2.2.1 Bar History and Overview
Ratsherrn Bar is another popular bar in Essen, especially for tourists who have a special liking for classic German beer. The bar’s decoration style is classic and simple, and the walls are covered with historic German beer advertisements and art paintings, creating a strong traditional German bar atmosphere.
2.2.2 Location and transportation
Ratsherrn Bar is located in the Altstadt (Old Town) of Essen, a few minutes’ walk from the central train station. The transportation is very convenient and suitable for any tourists who want to experience the local beer culture.
2.2.3 Bar characteristics and taste
Here are a variety of locally brewed German beers, including the distinctive Pilsner and Weissbier (white beer). The beer tastes refreshing and has rich foam, which is perfect with the German sausages and salty snacks in the store.
2.2.4 Suitable crowd and cost
Ratsherrn Bar is suitable for tourists who have a strong interest in traditional beer, especially beer lovers and local residents. The price of beer is usually between 4 and 6 euros.
2.2.5 Booking platform
Tourists can make reservations through Expedia or Yelp.
2.3 The Long Island Café & Bar
2.3.1 Bar History and Overview
The Long Island Café & Bar is a trendy bar in Essen, known for its creative cocktails and diverse drink selections. There is a wide variety of cocktails here, and the modern decoration style in the bar also attracts a large number of young tourists.
2.3.2 Location and Transportation
The Long Island Café & Bar is located in Gladbecker Strasse in the center of Essen, surrounded by many shops and shopping areas, suitable for shopping after dining.
2.3.3 Bar Features and Taste
The bar is characterized by its creative cocktails, such as homemade Long Island Iced Tea and novel fruit cocktails. The atmosphere in the bar is fashionable and vibrant, suitable for young people to gather.
2.3.4 Suitable Crowd and Cost
Long Island Café & Bar is suitable for young people and those who want to enjoy modern cocktails. The price of cocktails is usually between 8 and 12 euros.
2.3.5 Booking Platform
Seats can be reserved through OpenTable and Tripadvisor.
2.4 Das kleine Bierhaus
2.4.1 History and Overview of the Bar
Das kleine Bierhaus is a small bar in Essen full of traditional German atmosphere. Founded in the 1960s, it carries the essence of Essen’s bar culture and offers a wide variety of local German beers. This bar is known for its friendly atmosphere and authentic German beer, and is a gathering place frequented by locals and tourists.
The interior of the bar is elegant and comfortable, and the wooden tables and chairs and wall decorations show a strong German rural style. The bar not only serves beer, but also some traditional German food such as sausages and sauerkraut, making it an ideal place to experience authentic German bar culture.
2.4.2 Location and Transportation
Located in the Altstadt (Old Town) of Essen, Das kleine Bierhaus is an iconic bar in the area, just a 10-minute walk from Essen Central Station. Surrounded by multiple cultural and historical attractions, it is perfect for rest and relaxation after a day of sightseeing.
2.4.3 Bar Features and Taste
Das kleine Bierhaus mainly features locally brewed German beers, especially their Pilsner beer and Weizenbier (wheat beer). These beers have a unique taste, refreshing and rich in layers, suitable for pairing with traditional snacks such as German sausages and roasted pig’s trotters provided by the bar.
In addition, the bar also provides some classic German strong drinks, such as Jägermeister, suitable for customers who like strong drinks.
2.4.4 Suitable crowd and cost
Das kleine Bierhaus is suitable for tourists who want to experience authentic German beer culture, especially beer lovers, family tourists and diners who want to enjoy authentic German snacks. Beer in the bar usually costs between 4 and 6 euros, while snacks and meals are roughly between 5 and 12 euros, which is very cost-effective.
2.4.5 Booking platform
To ensure a seat, you can make a reservation in advance through OpenTable or Tripadvisor, especially during weekends and holidays when the bar will be busy.
3. How to choose the right bar?
When choosing a bar, you need to make a judgment based on your personal preferences and needs. If you like traditional German beer and snacks, Kumpir Bar and Ratsherrn Bar are both very suitable choices. These bars offer authentic German beers such as Pilsner and Weizenbier, paired with a variety of traditional German snacks such as sausages and sauerkraut. The atmosphere of the bar is usually more warm and friendly, suitable for enjoying a leisurely time with friends and family.
If you prefer a more modern and fashionable atmosphere and want to try creative cocktails, then The Long Island Café & Bar is perfect for you. The bar has a modern design and a wide variety of cocktails with a variety of creative tastes, suitable for young people and tourists who like fashionable parties. The atmosphere here is vibrant and it is an ideal place to enjoy socializing and nightlife.
4. Things to note
4.1 Make a reservation
Many popular bars, especially on weekends and holidays, can be very crowded. Therefore, making a reservation in advance is a good way to ensure that you can enjoy the nightlife smoothly. Using platforms such as OpenTable or Expedia can easily complete the reservation.
4.2 Transportation and safety
While enjoying fine wine, remember to arrange transportation reasonably, especially after enjoying alcoholic drinks, try to avoid driving. The public transportation system in Essen is well developed, and you can choose to take the subway or bus to ensure that you reach your destination safely.
Essen’s bar culture combines tradition and modernity, providing a rich variety of drinks and food to meet the needs of different tourists. From classic German beer to creative cocktails, the diversity of bars makes the city’s night more vibrant. Whether you are a local or a tourist, you can find a night out in one of Essen’s bars.