A Guide to Clubbing and Live Music in Leipzig

In the early 2010s, Berlin started getting a bit more expensive, so artists and entrepreneurs looked for places where cheap, atelier-appropriate real estate abounded. Leipzig was just such the place, and these days, the 1,000-year-old city is hopping. Clubs have sprung up in random locations and are attracting top-level DJs. There are clubs well established on the scene, like the Distillery, but also many upstarts keeping things fresh. Here are eight clubs in Leipzig worth getting your hand stamped for.
Distillery
Distillery
Conne Island
Park, Skate Park

Täubchenthal
Täubchenthal
The newest addition to the Leipzig club scene, Täubchenthal has blossomed out of a former industrial estate, making it one of the larger non-arena venues in the city. The main hall now features two massive chandelier light sculptures that give the place a cosy, chill vibe. Even the bathrooms are interesting – sometimes DJs play their sets from there.
Täubchenthal, Wachsmuthstraße 1, Leipzig, Germany, +49 341 92611770
Elipamanoke
Elipamanoke
This club is another one of the grandfathers of the Leipzig scene. Its owners relocated to western Leipzig before it was cool and now oversee the most sought-after minimal, techno and house parties in the city. There are also drum’n’bass nights and electroswing events. The DJs are often from the area though acts like Oliver Koletzki, DJ Hell and Onur Özer do make appearances.
Institute für Zukunft
Institute für Zukunft
As is the case with many of Europe’s prized nightclubs, the Institut Für Zukunft employs a no-photos rule and a strict door policy. The club aims to offer an alternative to the existing club scene, so its bookings favor functional and experimental incarnations of house and techno from a variety of world-renowned and local DJs. They also host lectures and debates about gender issues, club culture, and electronic music.
Institut Für Zukunft, An den Tierkliniken 38-40, Leipzig, Germany, +49 341 60494121
Bar Street
Bar, Market, Pub
Bar Street
Not an actual street, but the local name for all the bars, restaurants, clubs and cafés jammed into the tiny Fleischergasse, Barfußgässchen and Klostergasse just off the main market square. German locals call it Das Drallewatsch, which means something in the direction of pub crawl. If sitting under patio heaters sipping Hemingway Sours while the jazz band noodles away downstairs sounds like a good time, then this is the part of town for you. It’s also useful as a warm-up to a longer club evening.
Spizz, Markt 9, Leipzig, Germany +49 341 9608043
Club Velvet
Club Velvet
Techno, electro and their siblings are very popular in Germany, but it is possible to find clubs that play hip hop and other kinds of urban music. The club Velvet is right in the centre, which is good considering tequila and vodka are the drinks of choice. Lots of body contact on the dance floor and unisex toilets mean there’s no telling what the night will bring.
Club Velvet, Wurzner Straße, Germany, +49 341 3032001
Club L1
Club L1
Where the beautiful people go to meet other beautiful people and do beautiful people things. Like buying extortionately priced bottles of champagne. Black and red upholstery is bathed in blue light, giving the place a sort of classy strip club vibe. Seats in the Grey Goose corner come with at 50€ minimum per person. VIP reservations can be had for a 75€ per person minimum.
Club L1, Markt 17, Königshaus-Passage, Leipzig, Germany, +49 341 30 86 05 50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjtU3q_2elA
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.