Leipzig, a city in East Germany full of history and literary atmosphere, not only shows its charm of music and architecture during the day, but at night, its alleys and pubs seem to awaken another city rhythm. During my one-week in-depth trip to Leipzig, I deliberately avoided the main streets crowded with tourists and walked into those pubs hidden in the alleys of the old city, which were not even conspicuous on the map. These places are the real soul of Leipzig.
From German expressionism in the early 20th century to the interweaving of modern art and culture today, Leipzig has always been a city full of change and artistic atmosphere. For many tourists, Leipzig’s bar culture is the core of the city’s nightlife. With the trend of globalization, more and more foreign tourists have flocked to the city, bringing different cultural shocks and nightlife styles, but those hidden pubs still retain a strong local flavor.
In the Altstadt and Südvorstadt districts of Leipzig, you can always find a faint light and a hand-painted sign on a wooden door at the end of a brick-red alley. These pubs are often run by locals, some are family-owned shops that have been passed down for three generations, and some are workshop bars renovated by artists themselves. Because of this, pubs in Leipzig are not just a simple drinking place, but also a space where social interaction, art, and history meet.
Here, people talk about the ancient history of Leipzig and discuss the latest exhibitions and literary activities. The bars here not only provide drinks, but also provide everyone who comes here with an opportunity to share and communicate. Each bar has a different style, but the common point is that they all carry a story.
1. Zum Wilden Heinz – The interweaving of retro and wildness
Location and background:
Located at Körnerstraße 22 in the Südvorstadt district, this pub is not easy to find, with only a deer antler sign hanging on the facade. It was founded by a couple in 2008, featuring retro hunter-style decoration and craft beer.
Booking platform:
OpenTable.de
TheFork.de
Bookatable.de
Per capita cost: about 20-30 euros per person, 4-6 euros per beer, and about 25 euros for a set meal including staple food and craft beer.
Taste and characteristics:
The pub mainly promotes home-brewed beer “Dunkler Wald”, which is fermented in rye and oak barrels and has a light smoky flavor. Paired with their homemade “Hunter’s Sausage Platter”, the slightly bitter fusion of salty and fresh and beer bursts out in the mouth. Another recommendation is the “Game Grilled Platter”, which has tender meat, rich vanilla and charcoal grilled flavor, and is well received by diners.
Recommended crowd: Couples who like hunting style, craft beer, and retro atmosphere, and small friends gathering first choice.
2. KollektivBar Süd – A retro space loved by young people
Location and background:
KollektivBar is located in Südvorstadt, close to the Leipzig University area, where many young people and artists gather. The name of this bar, “collection”, is its philosophy. The bar itself is also a space for artistic creation, often hosting small live music performances and art exhibitions.
Booking platform:
Eventbrite.de (for bookings of small concerts or special events)
Tiqets.de (for cultural events and ticket purchases)
Per capita cost: About 15-25 euros per person, a single glass of wine costs 5-8 euros, and some activities may require additional ticket prices.
Taste and characteristics:
KollektivBar’s wine list is mainly home-brewed beer and classic cocktails. It is recommended to try the “Cucumber Gin Tonic”, which is fresh cucumbers paired with imported gin for a refreshing taste. In terms of food, the bar’s “vegetarian snack platter” has a rich taste and is suitable for healthy diners.
Recommended crowd: Tourists who like literary atmosphere, live music, young groups and artist gathering places.
3. Die Kleine Freiheit – A jazz bar hidden in an industrial building
Location and background:
Die Kleine Freiheit is located in the industrial area of Leipzig. It is a bar with a strong nostalgic atmosphere. The interior decoration of the bar is full of jazz style in the early 20th century. It is famous for its special jazz performances. There will be live band performances every Friday and Saturday, attracting many jazz music lovers.
Booking platform:
Resmio.de (suitable for booking tables and events)
Bookatable.de
Per capita cost: about 25-35 euros per person, cocktails cost 8-12 euros, and meal packages are about 30 euros.
Taste and characteristics:
The bar mainly promotes classic cocktails, such as “Old Fashioned” and “Manhattan”. The bar also has some unique snacks, such as “homemade pickled cod and seafood platter”, which has a moderate sweet and sour taste and is paired with classic cocktails.
Recommended crowd: Couples and music lovers who like jazz, nostalgic style, quiet and leisurely nights.
4. Brauhaus an der Thomaskirche – one of the few pubs in the city center that still retains traditional brewing techniques
Location and background:
Brauhaus an der Thomaskirche is located next to the famous Thomaskirche Church in Leipzig. It is a pub famous for its traditional brewing techniques. Its brewing techniques have always maintained the ancient traditions of Leipzig, and every glass of wine is full of strong local characteristics.
Booking platform:
Bookatable.de
OpenTable.de
Per capita cost: about 30-40 euros per person, the main course price is 15-20 euros, and the wine is 4-6 euros per glass.
Taste and characteristics:
Brauhaus’s specialty beer is “Leipziger Lager”, which has a refreshing taste and is suitable for pairing with Leipzig’s traditional “beer stewed pig’s trotters” or “Bavarian sausages”. The brewer insists on using local ingredients, and each bottle of beer is full of rich aroma of malt and yeast.
Recommended for: Tourists who love traditional crafts, have a deep interest in German beer, or diners looking for an authentic Leipzig dining experience.
Leipzig’s pubs are not just a combination of food and beverages, they are also part of the city’s culture. Each pub has its own unique history and atmosphere, from traditional beer brewing to modern Renaissance, they together constitute the indispensable nightlife context of the city.
If you plan to travel to Leipzig, don’t forget to walk into these pubs hidden in the alleys, taste a sip of authentic Leipzig beer, and enjoy the unique rhythm and atmosphere of the city with the locals.
5. Things to note when drinking in Leipzig bars
5.1 Choose the right bar
There are many types of bars in Leipzig, from traditional beer houses to modern cocktail bars, each bar has its own unique charm. Choose the type of bar according to your preferences. If you want to experience the traditional Bavarian style, it is recommended to go to bars that offer home-brewed beer. These bars are usually centered on German beer culture, and the decoration is also nostalgic and retro; if you love innovative cocktails, you might as well try those modern bars, which often provide creative drinks and an artistic atmosphere, suitable for tourists who like social and experimental drinks.
5.2 Adjust the rhythm of drinking
In Leipzig bars, people usually don’t drink in a hurry, and the rhythm of drinking is relatively slow. Especially in traditional beer houses, a glass of beer may accompany you for a whole hour, and people often chat about family or work while enjoying the wine. Therefore, don’t be impatient, chat leisurely with friends, and slowly taste the beer. If you want to try a variety of different flavors of beer, it is recommended not to order too much at one time. You can order one to try first, and then order a few more if you like.
5.3 Pay attention to the opening hours of bars
Bars in Leipzig are open for longer hours, especially on weekends and holidays, and some bars are open until the early hours. However, some bars adjust their opening hours according to the season, especially on weekday evenings. It is recommended to find out the opening hours of bars in advance to avoid affecting your bar experience due to missing the opening hours.
For example, bars and cafes like Leipziger Kaffeekommune usually have more flexible opening hours, while traditional pubs such as Auerbachs Keller may have fixed opening hours. It is recommended to confirm in advance through the bar’s official website or by phone to ensure that you can be seated smoothly.
5.4 Understand the “silent language” of bars
In German bar culture, a special silent language is sometimes used to express the way of drinking and ordering drinks. For example, in a beer house, if you need a second drink, you can signal the waiter by raising your empty glass. Another typical behavior is that if you want to clink glasses with someone, you should make eye contact and smile first, which is a polite behavior and shows respect for others.
Sometimes, there are some spontaneous small celebrations in the bar, such as birthdays or other holidays, when people often toast to each other. Don’t miss these opportunities for social interaction. In Germany, you must look at each other when clinking glasses to show respect and blessings to each other.