First of all, you can’t compare Copenhagen's nightlife to that of Berlin, Sao Paulo or Amsterdam. And alcohol may be pricey compared to your hometown. But if you like to dance and party through the weekend, you won't get bored easily in the Danish capital. There is a vibrant and tolerant club scene with plenty of choice for everyone, whether you like commercial eurodance, live music or underground techno.
Meatpacking district
If you are not yet sure what kind of nightlife vibe you are looking for, Kødbyen (The Meatpacking District) is a good place to start. Here you will find countless bars, restaurants and cocktail bars, some of which turn into small but intimate nightclubs after midnight. The best known and most popular place to dance is Bar Jolene, with nearby Bakken a close second. My personal favorite in that area is H15. Not only do they serve fantastic food, the small club next door has a great sound system and laid back vibe. Look out for their Rub 'a' Dub Sundays.
Clubbing
If you are looking for a serious club atmosphere, Culture Box in Østerbro is the place to be. The nightclub near Kongens Have has been a fixture in the nightlife scene for decades. Nowadays, Culture Box may have lost some of its edge, but with three rooms it still has plenty to offer. The so-called Black Box is the main space, where DJs such as Steffi, Astrid Engberg and Developer play on a huge sound system.
If you are more into a queer and creative atmosphere, then Den Anden Side ('The Other Place') is probably a good bet. This colorful underground club is a little hard to find as it is located in the basement of one of the city's oldest cinemas: Palads. Expect an open atmosphere, a robust Function One sound system and a fairly strict door policy. The music ranges from electronica to bass, house and techno.
Reffen
During the summer season, Reffen, the hip part of the peninsula and the former industrial area of Refshaløen, is also a popular weekend venue. Werkstatt for instance. It may not count as a regular club, but dj's often appear under its impressive industrial roof.
My favorite club in this part of town is Hangaren, a free standing warehouse converted into a club with a cosy courtyard, bonfires and great views. The programme includes international DJs such as Hunee, Dax J and Young Marco.
A big plus during summer are a few popular dance festivals (such as Karrusel, Distortion and Strøm), of which some parts are even free!
Nørrebro
The lively Nørrebro district is also home to a number of interesting venues and nightclubs, such as Rust (lots of soul and hip-hop in a ‘hyggelig’ bar-like environment), the volunteer-run Spillested Stengade and the even more obscure Mayhem. The latter is a tiny shed in the alternative, squatted Bolsjefabrikken complex where you can expect experimental music in a basic environment.
The recently renovated Alice is also well worth a visit in Nørrebro. Especially if you like jazz or world music. You'll find the live stage (cap. 200 people) is in a secluded courtyard which also includes a vegetarian restaurant.
Nørrebro is definitely also worth a visit on its own. That’s why we have created an off the beaten tracks tour specifically introducing its multicultural and urban lifestyle to visitors from all over the world.
Vega
Speaking of live music, Copenhagen's main pop venue is undoubtedly Vega in the Vesterbro district. The monumental building, designed by the famous architect Vilhelm Lauritzen, is so beautiful on the inside that jaws drop on entering. The main hall (capacity 900 people) hosts pop and rock artists from home and abroad.
Finally, the Christiana district should not be left out of this list. The nicest venue in the ‘free state’ is Loppen, an intimate live stage on the first floor of former military barracks. You'll find many British, Danish and American punk and rock bands which are on the verge of a breakthrough. During the summer months, the open-air stage Nemoland also offers concerts on Sundays. All of them are free.
