Stuttgart Entertainment

Nightlife

Amadeus on Charlottenplatz 17 is a good place to start the evening, and is a popular drinking place among locals and students. A trendier option is the century-old Palast der Republik bar on Friedrichstrasse. This locale draws an arty crowd and DJs here play a mixture of soul and funk. Alternatively, head for Biergarten im Schloßgarten if you would like to experience a genuine German beer garden in the heart of the city.  This is also a good spot to catch the latest football action on the big-screen.

Many bars and clubs line the Theodor Heuss district, with Suite 212 being one of the foremost clubs in the area. During the day, there is a relaxed café serving snacks, while after dusk both dance floors fill with revellers. Local DJs spin the latest hits at weekends and on most weeknights, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays, live jazz bands perform. Barcode is in the same district and attracts the 20s and 30s crowd.

There are also a number of good nightspots in the West Quarter including Ackermanns, which offers a good selection of drinks and screens the latest sports events. Local bands, live concerts and a mixed crowd are further features of the relaxed ambience at Ackermanns.

Mezzanin is a quiet place to enjoy a cigar and brandy in the daytime (with a wide selection of Cuban cigars available), and becomes a popular meeting point in the evening. While those who would prefer some live music should check out Rosenau, which offers concerts, theatre and also has food at very reasonable prices.

Theatre and music

Stuttgart is the cultural capital of southwestern Germany and the Stuttgart Ballet is world-renowned. Names like John Cranko and Marcia Haydée are closely associated with the Stuttgart Ballet, and the troupe can be seen performing at the Staatstheater. The State Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra are also internationally acclaimed, while the city has a plethora of cultural festivals and local theatre groups.

The Staatstheater also houses the opera house and three smaller theatres. Opera and ballet are performed in the Grosses Haus, while Kleines Haus is for theatre and the Kammer-Theater is primarily used for experimental works. Tickets for all productions can be purchased at the Staatstheater box-office, at varying prices. Broadway-style productions are also frequently staged in Stuttgart at the Apollo and the Palladium theatres, with seating for up to 1,800 people available in both theatres.

Festivals

There are several festivals throughout the year including the city’s best-known festival, Cannstatter Volksfest, which takes place in early October.

• Eclat New Music Festival in January/Februarty is the first festival of the year, and is devoted to the works of ground-breaking composers.
• Fasnet runs for six weeks prior to Lent, with participants organising parades, parties, dances and various macabre rituals.
• July sees the Jazzopen Festival, with popular acts including George Benson, Bebel Gilberto and Dave Brubeck.
• Classical music aficionados arrive in early September to enjoy the Bach Summer Academy, organised by the International Bach Academy.
• In late August, a 10-day celebration of the local vintners takes place. The festival, known as Weindorf, offers locals an opportunity to showcase their produce.
• The city’s primary festival is in October, when a 16-day beer festival, called the Volksfest, takes place. There are firework displays, carnival rides, Swabian specialities and naturally, copious varieties of beer to sample.