10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Strasbourg

A boat cruise on the Ill River is a popular way to get a different view of Strasbourg’s riverfront buildings. Most tours cover Petite France, Neustadt, the Tanner’s Quarter, Grande Île, and the Vauban Dam. From the water, these half-timbered mansions and ancient churches look even more beautiful, particularly when they’re illuminated after dark.

On a summer’s evening, a cruise is a delightful way to pass the time. Some operators offer wine and cheese tastings or cabaret cruises, which are more suited to chillier weather earlier or later in the season.

Place du Château is one of Strasbourg’s oldest plazas and is especially lovely at night. During the summer months, visitors flock to the square to watch the spectacular sound and light show at Strasbourg Cathedral.

Video projection mapping onto the sandstone walls turns this ancient building into a living canvas. The intricate architectural details are transformed and enhanced by an array of colourful images. Once the show’s over, don’t rush off – this part of the city is one of the best for nightlife in general.

Artefact is the organising body responsible for Strasbourg’s Salles de Musiques Actuelles. The buildings that house this thriving cultural centre once produced the city’s dairy, but when milk production shifted out to more suitable premises beyond the city centre, the opportunity arose for something a little more interesting.

Today, more than 450 artists, musicians and actors have the chance to showcase their talents to an eager audience. Performances take place in a concert hall and theatre that face each other across the street. Showtimes vary according to each performance schedule.

The Théâtre Alsacien de Strasbourg is a theatre that opened in 1898 within the city’s grand and imposing opera house. The tradition of performing in the Alsace dialect predates this milestone moment by many centuries. Towards the end of the 19^th century, frustrated by existing theatre productions in the city, a group of committed individuals vowed to create a space where Alsace culture could be celebrated and enjoyed.

Today, it’s as popular as ever, offering a varied programme of comedies, dramas and plays. However, if you’re a visitor, you might need more than a smattering of the local lingo to understand what’s happening on stage. Showtimes vary according to each performance schedule.

The Théâtre de la Choucrouterie is a performance venue that stages comedy shows in French, German, and the Alsace dialect. Alsatians love humour, particularly clever mockery and ridicule. This is reflected in the programme, which is heavy on cabaret, comedy and satire, especially those grounded in current affairs.

The theatre’s small size ensures that productions have an intimacy that’s noticeably absent in larger venues. If your language skills are up to the task, then you’ll appreciate being able to see the actors and performers up close. Performance schedules vary.

Académie de la Bière is a beer hall in the Petite France area of Strasbourg. It opened in 1986, the first of a chain that now numbers 4 outlets. The historic building’s windows are the legacy of a former jeans factory, while the antiques and classic furnishings inside add to the charm.

Even so, it’s the drinks you’ve come for, not just the decor. Whether you’re a curious visitor or a serious connoisseur of beer, the many draft beers and over 100 bottled beers from across Alsace should keep you happy for more than a night or 2.

Jeannette et les Cycleux is a popular café in central Strasbourg that stays open as a bar in the evenings. Its tables spill out across a pedestrian street close to Strasbourg Cathedral. Inside, its colourful interiors have a retro vibe, with just enough bicycle touches – wheels, pictures and the like – to add personality without it feeling overdone.

Order a glass or 2 of Ancre Pils, an Alsatian beer first brewed in the Espérance Brewery in the 18^th century. Make sure you don’t have somewhere to go – this is the kind of place where it’s easy to lose track of time.

Le Rafiot is a bar and nightclub located on a barge moored up on the Quai des Pêcheurs, close to the eastern tip of Grande Île. In summer, it’s a popular place to sit outside and share a flammekueche (tarte flambée) while watching the boats come and go on the River Ill.

When the evenings get cooler, the heated upper terrace is still lively. This floating entertainment space is known for its cocktail menu, including its signature mojito. You can also check out its great beer and wine selection.

Code Bar is a sophisticated cocktail bar in Strasbourg that channels a speakeasy vibe. The cocktail list is a real treat, with plenty of creativity to keep regulars happy and enough pizzazz to suit those just passing through.

The bar is an atmospheric, intimate space. Black and white photos of movie stars hang on the walls and the ceiling is papered with banknotes and musical scores. They crank up the music in the basement, and you can dance under a vaulted ceiling in a stylish space lit by funky neon lights.

Le FAT (or, to give the place its full name, Fat Black Pussycat) is a centrally located bar close to Place d’Austerlitz. Subtle, mood lighting ensures it can easily transition from bar to club as the evening wears on. It attracts a late-night, energetic crowd, who come with friends to dance the night away to an eclectic mix of hip-hop, soul, disco, house, and funk. Occasionally it also hosts live gigs; check local listings to see what’s in store.