Music

For the absolute best New York-style salsa party in Frankfurt, you simply have to drop by Conexión on Saturday nights. For a € 7 cover charge you have access to two dance floors and some of the best salsa dancers in the city. Plus, a free glass of champagne and chips to snack on are included as you walk in the door…

Hit the small dance floor first to warm up with a few spicy bachata dances, or work your hips with merengue. Then grab a quick drink at the bar to refresh and head over to the second (much larger) dance room, where the salseros are.

If you’ve come early, from 20:30 – 21:30 there is a free beginner salsa lesson. Once you’ve finished with that, take your new skills and warm up for an hour or so until the floor starts getting crowded. No partner? Don’t be shy – just ask someone who looks like they know what they’re doing to show you a few moves!

If you’re in luck (or if you like to plan and check Conexión’s website in advance), there might even be a show to watch. The club often showcases performances from dance groups in and around Frankfurt for no extra charge.

Though it’s not directly in the city center, Conexión can be easily reached by taking the metro line U6 to the station Fischstein; it’s just across the street.

Travolta is one of my favorite clubs in Frankfurt. It’s one of the few which concentrates on good Hip Hop and R’n'B music. Travolta was founded by DJs and brothers Dennis and Julian Smith who are responsible for the music regularly as well as some other DJs.

The Travolta consist of two floors one small smoking floor and one bigger main floor. Personally I really like the size because it is not as big as some other popular clubs but also not too small. Because of its popularity together with its rather small size you should be there early.

Besides the music and the great location I love the Travolta for its atmosphere. You don’t have to be dressed up like in other clubs in Frankfurt. You can come with jeans and sneakers but if you want to you can also wear your favorite dress with heels. The staff is friendly and open. So everything is very relaxed and the coolness factor is absolutely high. Sometimes you feel like in a little club in New York and you’ll meet some interesting people for sure.

Another big advantage is that the Travolta isn’t that expensive. During the week the entrance is € 5 and you get one free drink, at the weekend you have to pay € 10 entry but will get two drinks free.

For me that’s the perfect foundation for an amazing and looong night. At the Travolta you’ll party hard!

If you’re looking for something special you have to spend your evening at the Rote bar (“Red bar”). From the outside it seems to be a normal tenement only marked with a red, blank neon sign and even while entering you feel like you would enter a private living room. All the more surprising to discover such an exclusive and great bar.

The light at Rote Bar is darkened, jazz sounds swing through the room and the furnishing is more than special. You’re welcomed by one of the waiters who appear very professional and exclusive with their white outfits and their restrained appearance you quickly feel like you landed in a movie. And after you tasted your drink you know one thing for sure: the barkeepers are professionals!

The Rote Bar concentrates on being a classic bar, with perfectly mixed drinks, a special and pleasant atmosphere and an excellent service. And I just can say that works flawlessly!

Le Bar is a real insider’s tip, even many locals don’t know this extravagant bar. Hidden in a little shopping arcade you wouldn’t expect this location at all.

Entering Le Bar you feel like in a chic Parisian bar. The furnishing consists of red and golden velvet chairs, big mirrors, dark brown tables and little red lamps. So sometimes you forget that you’re not in the 1920′s but in the 21st century. You can enjoy your evening in a very special location. And all Paris-style it is allowed to smoke inside.

On the weekends the bar changes into a little club. Every Friday and Saturday they have a mix of black, mash up and house. The entry is free, dress to impress!

Whether it is your style or not you have to visit Le Bar, it’s going to be a special evening for sure!

Though it’s a bit outside of the touristy area in Frankfurt’s city center, Awake Frankfurt offers an atmosphere that easily beats all the coffee joints on the Hauptwache. Its slogan, “a social coffee company” marks it for what it is: a café focused on exchange and convergence of cultures and ideas.

Step into Awake Frankfurt and you’re instantly grounded by the warm brown tones in its interior design…and that’s before you even get to the warmth and goodness of the coffee grounds. Awake Frankfurt serves only fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate.

Awake Frankfurt’s baristas have their quality control down to a timed science. I’m usually a tea-drinker, but I was thoroughly convinced by the soy cafe latte (2,60 Euro) that I was served.

The café offers a good bite to eat too: foccacia (€ 4.40 and up) and ciabatta sandwiches, salads (€ 4.30 and up) and bagels (€ 1.90 and up).

Come after 19:00 and you’ll encounter the cultural side of Awake Frankfurt: live music, poetry readings and art presentations happen at least once a week. See their website for updates.