Copenhagen Nightlife

Copenhagen may be small, but don't write its nightlife off as provincial. Hard-working throughout the week, Copenhageners take playtime just as seriously, and every Friday and Saturday night, the center is buzzing until the early hours, with the serious partying not usually kicking off until around 11pm. Be warned, though: Sunday to Tuesday shows a very different city, with little going on after dark at all.

For those who like high culture, the multi-million kroner venues of the Royal Danish Opera and national broadcaster Danmarks Radio, Operaen and Koncerthuset respectively, have a gentle rivalry going on. Known for their flamboyant facades and costly design, both hope to woo international-level stars of the classical world to Copenhagen with state-of-the-art stages, lighting and acoustics. Go see for yourself whether it was worth all the money: Tickets are not as expensive as you might think.

The dress code is most decidedly informal at the city's best nightclubs. Vesterbro's Vega rapidly gained a reputation as the best place in town both for live concerts and parties when it opened in 1996, and though the gleam is not quite so bright now, it still holds the crown. For those who prefer more underground names, Christiania venue Loppen is the place.

For many, Copenhagen will always be associated with jazz, and three of the city's jazz venues have made it onto our list: Copenhagen Jazzhouse is a must for jazz fans, with regular concerts in everything from swing to improv, while the reopening of the legendary Jazzhouse Montmartre in 2010 offers a showier alternative that has yet to prove itself. There's live jazz at the timeless Palæ Bar just off Kongens Nytorv some Sundays, although the place is just as welcoming for a Saturday pit stop.

Palæ Bar is just one of Copenhagen's many old bars: Hviids Vinstue on Kongens Nytorv may be the city's oldest, but we prefer quirky Bo-Bi-Bar, tucked away on a nearby side street, for delving into Copenhagen's drinking history.

Operaen

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Ekvipagemestervej 10

The Copenhagen Opera House...
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Vega

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Enghavevej 40
In Vesterbrø, behind the railway station

Popular music venue, club and late-night bar...
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Copenhagen JazzHouse

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Niels Hemmingsens Gade 10
Postboks 1129

Denmark's premiere jazz venue...
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Koncerthuset

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Emil Holms Kanal 20

National broadcaster DR's landmark building...
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Loppen

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Sydområdet 4B
Christiania

Alternative club and music venue in Christiania...
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Palæ Bar

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Ny Adelgade 5

Charming Watering Hole...
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Bo-Bi Bar

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Klareboderne 14

Intellectual Hangout...
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1105

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Kristen Bernikows Gade 4

One of the city's best cocktail bars...
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Club Mambo

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Vester Voldgade 85

Feel the Latin spirit...
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Bibendum

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Nansensgade 45

Friendly neighborhood wine bar...
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Hviids Vinstue

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Kongens Nytorv 19

Copenhagen's oldest wine bar...
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Drop Inn

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Kompagnistræde 34

Live music and cheap beer...
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Grand Teatret

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Mikkel Bryggers Gade 8

Large but cosy art house cinema...
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The Dubliner

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Amagertorv 5

Irish beer and lively spirits...
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Cafe Retro

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Knabrostræde 26

Warm and friendly not-for-profit cafe...
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The Globe

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Nørregade 43-45

An Irish pub for the sporting man...
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Bopa

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Bopa Plads

Café-Bar with Sandwiches...
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Bjørgs

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Vester Voldgade 19

Specialists in Coffee...
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Coffeeshop Månefiskeren

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Fremtidsskoven
Christiania

Bacon, Eggs, and Art...
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Bankeråt

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Ahlefeldtsgade 27-29

Poetry and sandwiches...
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