Hanover Nightlife
Compared with Berlin, Hamburg or Munich, Hanover's nightlife is relatively subdued, with much of it geared to visiting businessmen (fine for those with a love of hotel bars). The city centre often feels very quiet at night - for the real action, head for the Old Town.
The minimum drinking age in bars and clubs in 18 years. Many venues stay open until around 0500.
Prinz Hannover magazine features up-to-date nightlife venues and is also available online (www.prinz.de).
The Niedersächsischen Staatstheater Hannover (www.staatstheater-hannover.de) oversees opera, ballet and major theatre in the city, although there are numerous other organisations and venues. The city has a thriving cultural scene that extends beyond the traditional season, with festivals and open-air concerts taking place in the Herrenhäusen Gardens during the summer months. Advance tickets for major cultural events are available from the tourist information office (tel: +49 511 1234 5111; www.hannover.de). Other ticket agencies may also supply tickets to cultural events.
Bars in Hanover
Brauhaus Ernst August
The Brauhaus Ernst August is one of Germany's most successful brewery-restaurants and one of Hanover's liveliest haunts, brewing its own tasty unfiltered beer and offering hearty German food. It is open 365 days a year, and nearly 24 hours a day. At the weekend, DJs are often brought in to spice things up.
Address: , Schmiedestrasse 13, Hanover, 30159Telephone: +49 511 365 950.
Website: http://www.brauhaus.net
Rumpelkammer
Its name translates to English as 'The Lumber Room', and this rustic-style bar close to Lister Platz is a 'real' German pub, popular with local residents and visitors alike. It's a great place to hang out with a few beers and company.
Address: , Jakobistraße 2, Hanover, 30163Telephone: +49 511 628 128.
Website: http://www.facebook.com/rumpelkammer.hannover/
Vier Jahreszeiten
Also housing a large restaurant, the 'Four Seasons' also features one of the town's most attractive beer gardens, which is extremely popular during Spring and Summer. The venue is a short distance south of the city centre.
Address: , Waldhausenstraße 1, Hanover, 30519Telephone: +49 511 841 212.
Website: http://www.restaurant-vierjahreszeiten.de
Clubs in Hanover
Osho Discothek
One of the city's most popular clubs is Osho Discothek. It opens Fridays, Saturdays, and nights before public holidays, from 2200-0600, and it's close to the main railway station in the city centre.
Address: , Raschplatz 7, Hanover, 30161Telephone: +49 511 642 2785
Website: http://www.osho-disco.de
Palo Palo
For funk and soul, head to Palo Palo, at the weekend, for a venue crammed to the rafters with a fun-loving crowd. Tables can be reserved in advance, and the club opens at 2300 on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: , Raschplatz 8A, Hanover, 30161Telephone: +49 511 7902 0210.
Website: http://www.palopalo.de
Zaza
In the small hours, the beautiful people flock to Zaza, which serves cocktails until breakfast time, against a musical background of house and pop tunes. Opens Wed-Sat, and before public holidays, from 2200.
Address: , Hamburger Allee 4A, Hanover, 30161Telephone: +49 5111 314 473
Website: http://www.zaza-club.de
Live music in Hanover
Jazz-Club
Hanover's prime jazz venue celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016 and is beloved for showcasing the best German and international exponents of the genre. It's situated in the Linden district to the west of central Hanover.
Address: Linden, Am Lindener Berge 38, Hanover, 30449Telephone: +49 511 454 455
Website: http://www.jazz-club.de
Kuppelsaal
The beautiful Kuppelsaal, at the Hanover Congress Centre, is a major concert venue for primarily classical, but also popular music.
Address: , Theodor-Heuss-Platz 1-3, Hanover,Telephone: +49 511 81130.
Website: http://www.hcc.de
Swiss Life Hall
This large indoor arena to the south of the city centre regularly hosts major concerts featuring both German and international artists, along with sports and other events.
Address: , Ferdinand-Wilhelm-Fricke-Weg 8, Hanover, 30169Telephone: +49 511 353 9530
Website: http://www.swisslife-hall.de