Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [468]
NIGHTCLUBS
King Kamehameha ( 4800 9610; www.king-kamehameha.de, in German; Hanauer Landstrasse 192; admission €8-10; 9pm-4am Thu, 10pm-4am Fri & Sat) A strapping Leonardo DiCaprio–type guy might dash out and unexpectedly plough the length of the ornamental pool (clothed, take note) – it’s been known to happen here. And much more too, for ‘KingKa’ is legendary, with its own live club band on Thursday and DJ dance beats on weekends. The door policy is pretty strict so the crowd, most in their 20s and early 30s, comes nicely turned-out. Situated about 2km southeast of the zoo; accessible by tram 11. Runs a summertime beach club in Offenbach.
U 60311 ( 297 060 311; www.u60311.net; cnr Rossmarkt & Am Salzhaus, Innenstadt; Hauptwache; from 10pm Wed-Sat) Deep underground in a decommissioned pedestrian passage (60311 is the postcode), this is one of the best (and most notorious) stops in town for hard-core techno.
Stereo Bar ( 617 116; www.stereobar.de, in German; Abtsgässchen 7, Sachsenhausen; Lokalbahnhof; admission free; 10pm-4am Fri & Sat) This cellar bar has a 1970s vibe, a small dance floor, nargileh (water pipes) and music that’s as eclectic as the decor. Dress is very informal.
Cocoon Club ( 900 200; www.cocoonclub.de; Carl-Benz-Strasse 21) This postmodern pulsating membrane-like miracle, about 5km east of the centre, is the home of techno legend Sven Väth. It throbs with music from the man himself or his guests Friday and Saturday, and other days in smaller format. To get there take tram 11 or 12 to Dieselstrasse.
Living XXL ( 242 9370; www.livingxxl.de; Kaiserstrasse 29, Innenstadt; Willy-Brandt-Platz; 6pm-1am Wed, 6pm-3am Thu, 6pm-4am Fri, 6pm-5am Sat, dinner until 11pm) If the euro ever goes into freefall, it’ll land here – this large, mainstream club, with a gallery restaurant and six bars, is in the basement of the Eurotower, home of the European Central Bank. Popular with bankers and wannabes. The no-techno disco hits its stride at around 1am. Has an after-work party (€6) with a buffet and happy hour on Wednesday.
Robert Johnson ( 821 123; www.robert-johnson.de, in German; Nordring 131, Offenbach; Kaiserlai) On the south bank of the river, just over the line in Offenbach, this minimalist club attracts the best names in German electronic music and also has regular nights from the thriving Frankfurt-based Playhouse label.
GAY & LESBIAN VENUES
Frankfurt’s gay life is concentrated north of the Zeil around Schäfergasse ( Konstablerwache) and Alte Gasse, with a bevy of clubs and cafes. For details on the scene, see the free monthly magazine Gab (http://gab.publigayte.com, in German), www.frankfurt.gay-web.de or www.up-cityguide.de (in German).
Gay-oriented places include Harvey’s Click here and Pulse.
La Gata ( 614 581; www.club-la-gata.de, in German; Seehofstrasse 3, Sachsenhausen; Lokalbahnhof; 8pm-dawn Mon, Wed, Thu & Sun, 9pm-dawn Fri & Sat) Frankfurt’s only women-only lesbian bar.
ROCK & JAZZ
Batschkapp ( 9521 8410; www.batschkapp.de; Maybachstrasse 24, Eschersheim; Eschersheim) In its 30-plus years of staging live bands, the ‘Batsch’ has seen ’em come, go, burn out, gloriously self-destruct or simply rust to dust.
Jazzkeller ( 288 537; www.jazzkeller.com; Kleine Bockenheimer Strasse 18a, Innenstadt; Hauptwache; admission €5-20; 9pm-2am Tue-Thu, 10pm-3am Fri & Sat, 8pm-2am Sun) Look hard to find this place – a great jazz venue with mood – hidden in a cellar under an alley that intersects Goethestrasse at an oblique angle. Concerts begin an hour after opening except on Friday, when there’s dancing to Latin and funk. Founded in 1952.
Sinkkasten ( 0180-504 0300; www.sinkkasten-frankfurt.de, in German; Brönnerstrasse 5, Innenstadt; Konstablerwache; disco admission €4.50) Has lots of live music as well as entertaining vinyl to dance to, especially if you love 1980s flavours. Since 1971.
Mampf ( 448 674; www.mampf-jazz.de, in German; Sandweg 64, Bornheim; Merianplatz; 6pm-1am Sun-Thu, 6pm-2am Fri & Sat) You’ll hear