Bars & Clubs in Aachen

Aachen's nightlife is driven by one thing: students. With over 60,000 students at RWTH Aachen and the local university of applied sciences, the city has a density of bars and pubs that puts cities twice its size to shame. The epicenter is Pontstrasse — a straight stretch packed with bars, pubs, and clubs that buzzes every night of the week.

What Makes Aachen Special

Student culture keeps prices low and opening hours long. Many bars serve until 4 or 5 in the morning, and some are legendary for essentially never closing. The crowd is young, international, and uncomplicated. Dress codes are virtually nonexistent — showing up in sneakers and a t-shirt is perfectly appropriate.

Practical Tips

Pontstrasse sits in the heart of the Old Town and is a 10-minute walk from the main train station. During the week, Tuesday and Thursday are the strongest nights; on weekends, every bar is busy by 10 PM. The proximity to Belgium and the Netherlands brings an international flair — in some bars, you hear as much French and Dutch as German. A beer rarely costs more than 3 euros, and cocktails run between 7 and 9 euros.