Experiences

Luxembourg nightlife: where to go and where to skip

6 min read

The Rives de Clausen entertainment district at night

Rives de Clausen — go

The reconverted Mousel-Diekirch brewery in the Clausen valley is the main nightlife zone. Big Beer Company brews on-site, pints $7-9, mixed local crowd. Ikki does cocktails and a small dance floor. Melusina is the biggest club, house and techno, cover $12-15, open till 3am Thursday-Saturday. Come after 11pm — before that it's empty.

Grund and the Alzette valley — go

For a lower-key drink, the Grund below has proper pubs. Scott's on Bisserweg is the Irish anchor — expat crowd, $8 pints. Café des Artistes has a piano and a smoky old-Europe feel, live music some nights. Both close around 1am.

Bars in the old town — mixed

Ville Haute has a handful of good addresses. Konrad Café on Rue du Nord is a student-and-arts hangout, cheap wine, small plates until 1am. Urban Bar on Rue de la Boucherie is a fine after-work spot but touristy at weekends. Skip most of Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes at night unless you enjoy paying $12 for a gin and tonic.

Live music

Den Atelier in Hollerich is the main mid-size venue (500-1200 capacity) — international indie, rock, hip hop, tickets $30-60. Rockhal in Esch-sur-Alzette hosts bigger acts. The Philharmonie at Kirchberg runs classical and jazz — same-day rush tickets from $20.

Skip

Skip anywhere on Rue du Fort Neipperg after midnight (dodgy) and the anonymous hotel bars on Boulevard Royal (dead). Skip Rue des Bains hen/stag magnets. The 'Irish pub' at the central station is not the Grund one — the fake.

Frequently asked questions

When does Luxembourg nightlife actually happen?

Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, from about 10pm. Weeknights are quiet — most bars close by midnight. Sundays are dead outside a few Grund pubs.

Where do locals go clubbing?

Melusina and Ikki in Rives de Clausen. Byblos in Bonnevoie for a slightly older crowd. For techno, De Gudde Wëllen occasionally hosts warehouse-style parties.

Is the Gare area good for drinks?

Mostly no — a few decent late-night bars but the immediate southern-station streets are grim. Better to walk 10 minutes to Ville Haute or take a bus to Clausen.

How much is a night out?

Budget $60-90 for a proper night: 4-5 drinks at $8-12, club cover $12, taxi home $18. Cheaper if you stick to pubs and walk.