Entertainment in Dresden
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Bautzner Tor
Probably the last GDR-era dive in Dresden to survive ungentrified, this dimly lit but strangely atmospheric museum piece is a nostalgic blast from the past. Food is definitely wallet-friendly and the excellent beer (cheapest in town) is brewed locally by a guy called Lenin.
reviewed
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Strasse E
Dresden's most high-octane party zone is in an industrial area between Neustadt and the airport. Half a dozen venues cover the entire sound spectrum, from disco to dark wave, electro to pop. Take tram 7 to Industriegelände.
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Combo
Laid-back to the point of toppling, this '70s-retro cafe has enormous windows that fold back when the heat is on, 1960s airport furniture and great coffee served with a side of water and two gummi bears.
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Downtown
This iconic old factory gives you Friday and Saturday night fever with three floors of dance action where wrinkle-free party kids shake it up till the wee hours.
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Dresdner Philharmonie
While its permanent home, the Kulturpalast, is getting a facelift, Dresden's renowned orchestra performs at venues around town. The website has all the dates and details. Buy tickets by phone or online.
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Reisekneipe
Down a few Czech lagers in an African hut or put away a plate of curry in a Siberian log cabin at this travel-bug clinic. Hardened globetrotters give midweek slide-show talks.
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Blue Note
Small, smoky and smooth, this converted smithy has concerts featuring regional talent almost nightly (usually jazz, but also rock and Latin), then turns into a night-owl magnet until the wee hours. Many concerts are free. The drinks menu features beer from around the world and a mind-boggling selection of single malt whiskys.
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Wohnzimmer
Take grandma's sofas, combine with flowery wallpaper and candlelight, add some smooth sounds and you've got yourself one stylish and conversation-friendly watering hole.
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Karl May Bar
Cocktail connoisseurs gravitate to this sophisticated saloon inside the Taschenbergpalais hotel. Sink into a heavy burgundy-coloured leather chair to sip tried-and-true classics. Live music Friday and Saturday, happy hour 6pm to 8pm.
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Semperoper Dresden
Dresden's famous opera house is the home of the Sächsische Staatsoper Dresden, which puts on brilliant performances that usually sell out. Tickets are sold by phone, in person and online.
reviewed
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Schauspielhaus
Altstadt (Theaterstrasse 2); Neustadt (Glacisstrasse 28). The renowned Staatsschauspiel ensemble plays mostly crowd-pleasers by German playwrights in two venues.
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Fährgarten Johannstadt
This idyllic riverfront beer garden pulls great ales and does a mean barbecue.
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Stadtoase
Dump 150 tonnes of sand on the banks of the Elbe, erect a bar and beach volleyball court, and invite the city to party all summer long. Yep, that's Stadtoase.
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Café 100
One of the first pubs in the Neustadt to open after the Wende, Cafe 100 does double duty as a studenty pub on the ground floor and a candle-lit wine bar in the cavernous cellar. Jazz fans invade during the twice-monthly jam sessions.
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Scheune
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 with almost daily concerts, cabaret, parties or performances. The cafe serves Indian food and there's a beer garden.
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Queens & Kings
The 'Queens' is dead, long live the 'Queens & Kings,' across the street from the original gay fave party palace. The new version is modern, a tad chicer and dressed in flamboyant colours.
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Groove Station
This popular multipurpose lounge is the oldest live-music club in town. There are foosball and snooker tables and a well-stocked bar.
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Boy’s
This lively bar-club draws all kinds of comers with parties on Friday and Saturday, plenty of cosy corners for cuddling and fair drinks prices.
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Rauschenbach Deli
A cafe by day, this contempo spot morphs into a chic bar with an endless cocktail menu when the moon gets high. Cool terrace, too.
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Dance Factory
This very popular spot has the usual mix of R&B, cheese and trance/techno in four rooms. The bouncers can be choosy.
reviewed
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Alter Schlachthof
The industrial charm of an old slaughterhouse draws a party-happy crowd for mostly alternative German acts.
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Flower Power
The spirit of the '60s is kept alive at this staple of the Dresden student scene, with DJs every night.
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Puschkin
The eclectic mix of gigs on here means it's worth checking the program, whatever you have on your iPod.
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Schauspielhaus, Altstadt
The renowned Staatsschauspiel ensemble plays mostly crowd-pleasers by German playwrights.
reviewed
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Schauspielhaus, Neustadt
The renowned Staatsschauspiel ensemble plays mostly crowd-pleasers by German playwrights.
reviewed