Doolin
For a change from Doolin's crowded music pubs, book ahead to visit local musician Christy Barry's cosy home, which is filled with artworks by his artist…
Must-see entertainment in Europe
Barrio del Carmen
Atmospheric Jimmy Glass is just what a jazz bar should be, with dim lighting and high-octane cocktails. It has four live performances a week, many of them…
Beyoğlu
The 15th-century semahane (whirling-dervish hall) at this tekke (dervish lodge) is the venue for a one-hour whirling dervish sema (ceremony) held on…
Prague
The Akropolis is a Prague institution, a labyrinthine, sticky-floored shrine to alternative music and drama. Its various performance spaces host a…
Black Sea Coast
The very atmospheric traditional coffeehouse in the rear section of the Pervane Medresesi is a fine place for soft drinks and nargile at any time of year…
Catania
Catania's premier theatre is named after the city's most famous son, composer Vincenzo Bellini. It's one of Italy's most glorious old theatres, staging…
Brussels
This celebrated classical-music space is home to the National Orchestra and Philharmonic Society. From the outside, the Horta-designed 1928 art deco…
Milan
Having made a name for itself with a program boasting some of the finest names in Italian cinema and theatre, Franco Parenti cemented its role as a…
Kythira
Very charming old cafe–music bar near the main square. The high-ceilinged and shadowy interior oozes atmosphere with its coral-green walls and its long…
Tampere
Comics and musicians regularly take to the stage at this much-loved venue, which attracts arty, hip and fun-loving locals of every age. Drinkers and…
Valencia
The city's principal team, and a major player in Spanish football, with famously demanding fans. A move to a new ground in the city's northwest has been…
Chester
The 1930s art deco Odeon has been converted into an award-winning modern arts centre with two theatre spaces – a larger 800-seater arena and a 150-seat…
Brussels
In a wing of the BOZAR cultural centre, the modern and stylish Cinematek includes a little museum where you can browse archives and memorabilia. The real…
Palermo
Ernesto Basile's six-tiered art-nouveau masterpiece is Europe's second-largest opera house and one of Italy's most prestigious, right up there with La…
Wexford Town
Opened in 2008, Wexford's gleaming opera house packs more architectural punch inside than out, but sports state-of-the-art acoustics and superb views from…
Dublin
A cinema night may not always be a glamorous event, but at the Stella Theatre it is. A narrow entrance opens up to sumptuous art deco glory with…
Manchester
One of Britain's best arts centres, HOME has two theatre spaces that host provocative new work in a variety of contexts, from proscenium sets to promenade…
Novosibirsk
Weekends usually see live music performing at this grungy cabaret bar, while weekdays bring all manner of performing arts and other events ranging from…
Prague
Most of Prague’s jazz clubs are cellar affairs, but this riverside club is a definite step up, with clean, modern decor and a decidedly romantic view out…
Den Haag
Call it a club, a temple to live music or just a great place to hang out, Paard is a Den Haag institution. The program of live music is eclectic –…
Jūrmala
This legendary open-air concert hall (there is a roof, but no walls) dates back to 1897. Now modernised, there are two stages – one large and one small –…
Kaliningrad
Housed in a former German church about 3km from the city centre, Vagonka is one of the city's oldest and most popular venues for live rock, DJ parties and…
Santiago de Compostela
There's no better place for Celtic and other live music. Head to the tightly packed downstairs bar at about 10.30pm most Wednesdays from September to May…
Cork City
Given a modern makeover in the 1990s, this leading venue has been entertaining the city for more than 150 years with everything from opera and ballet to…
Liverpool
Whether you're looking to join a drumming circle, take part in a martial-arts workshop or lose yourself at a rave, this terrific venue in a former…
Trieste
This quirky 1953 petrol station, designed by Ernesto Rogers (Richard Rogers' cousin) and the BBPR firm, was saved from dereliction in 2008 and turned into…
Budapest
At this cultural centre in Lipótváros, there are wonderful mixed traditional táncház (folk music and dance workshops) from 8pm on Saturday that run till…
Novosibirsk
For classical culture don’t miss an evening at this gigantic silver-domed theatre. Built in 1945, it's the largest theatre in Russia – bigger even than…
Hania
Established in 1978, this Hania institution in a Venetian building offers smooth jazz and blues, and occasionally live bands or DJs, in an intimate…
Dresden
Generations of young folks have memories of the 'Barn', which started out as a mainstream GDR-era youth club before turning into an offbeat culture centre…
Galway City
Internationally renowned, the Druid Performing Arts Company was established in 1975 and is famed for staging experimental works by young Irish playwrights…
Kraków
Lively jazz haunt housed in an atmospheric, intimate cellar right on the Main Market Square. Harris hosts jazz and blues bands most nights from around 9…
Tomsk
Housed in a quaint log cabin near the WWII memorial (take ul Savinykh all the way down until you can go no further), this one-man, homey ‘robotic puppet’…
Nişantaşi, Bomonti & Harbiye
İstanbul's pre-eminent live-music venue has been packing the crowds in since 1999 and shows no sign of losing its mojo, especially now that it has moved…
Mull
Mull's lively arts scene includes a famous theatre group, regular art exhibitions and concerts. This arts organisation puts on exhibitions, plays and…
Warsaw
Offering many performances with English subtitles this is one of the best places in Warsaw to catch contemporary drama. Based in an artfully converted…
Ljubljana
This renovated old movie theatre now houses an urban cultural centre, hosting mainly indie, rock and alternative bands from around Slovenia and the rest…
Ghent
A visionary architectural premonition of art deco, the 1912 Vooruit building is a prominent venue for dance, rock concerts, film and visiting theatre…
Reykjavík
Dark and raw, this large bar opens up its back room to create a much-loved concert venue, with a wide range of live music or DJs most nights. It's one of…
Brussels
A small and unassuming but immensely popular Ixelles venue, Sounds has concerts most nights, with styles varying from modern to big band to salsa. The…
