Aarhus

Alberts

Alberts is a bar in a historic 14th-century monks' cellar at the cathedral. Quality beer, wine, and spirits with free open-mic stand-up comedy; Monday-Thursday in Danish, Sunday in English. You can play dice here too. On weekends, this places turns into a high quality cocktail bar, where the bartenders really shows off their skills. Tapas can be had Friday and Saturday evenings as well, but you need to pre-order and book a table for that.

Every day. Outdoor serving at the big square in the summer Mon-Sat from 12:00·Cocktails from kr 100, drinks and wine from kr 60

Barstart

A short walk away from the riverside, you'll find this small and easy-to-miss place clustered among a handful of similarly busy nightspots. Barstart's constantly changing drink menu encompasses many innovative specialty cocktails, but the experienced bartenders here could most likely make any classic drink you would like.

Tue-Sat from 18:00·Craft cocktails from kr 100

Bodegaen

Located right at the river, this hip and popular place is only a few years old, but fully equipped as an iconic old fashioned bodega, hence the name. Enjoy a beer and a game for a bit of fun. Games on offer includes darts, dice, pool (bob), or foosball (a quite popular "sport" in Denmark for young people).

Daily·Ceres TOP kr 25

Bro Cafeen

Bro Cafe

Claimed by some to be the oldest værtshus in Aarhus still in operation, Bro Cafeen has presumably served thirsty guests since 1899. Nice old-fashioned, bright yellow townhouse at an excellent location, right at the central Frederiksbroen bridge. Outside terrace, dart, and occasionally live music.

Mon-Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri Sat 11:00-01:00, Sun 11:00-18:00

Café Paradis

Den Sidste

Bar and nightclub with cocktails, shots, bubbles, wine and beer. Lively dance floor with DJs on most nights. Age limit is 21+ on weekends.

Thu-Sat from 21:00·kr 40 entry

Cirkuskroen

Located at an odd location a bit outside of the central scene, not too far from Harmonien, and close to Trøjborg, Cirkuskroen is a tiny bar with a long history. It owes its name to the fact that its former owners were a family of circus performers, and accordingly, the place is decorated with clowns and old circus paraphernalia. As a speciality of the house, a unique spiced bitter can be had, along with your beer. Have a listen to Kim Larsen or John Mogensen at the jukebox; both iconic Danish troubadours. Smoking allowed.

Daily from around 12:00·Beer kr 20

Escobar

This is a small bar where heavy metal and hard rock music rule the day, including demo-tapes from local bands. Green chartreuse and absinthe are specialties here. Escobar is a great place to get acquainted with the local metal scene, but if you're not the headbanging type, never fear: the nonjudgmental, come-as-you-are ambience is welcoming to all. Pub quiz Monday nights with a focus on movies and music.

Fri Sat 14:00-04:00, Sun-Thu 18:00-02:00

Gedulgt

If you are willing to spend some time on a nightlife treasure hunt, try if you can find Gedulgt. It is a super hip cocktail bar with the most creative drinks, but located in a nondescript backyard as some kind of secret speakeasy. Look for the green door. Outstanding cocktails, including non-alcoholic mocktails. also Quality beer, wine, bubbles, and spirits. Cocktail workshops and tasting arrangements can be ordered for groups online.

Thu 18:00-24:00, Fri Sat 16:00-02:00·Cocktails kr 110 and up

Hantwerk

Gastrobar in the northern harbour district. Great food, wine and beer and sometimes small musical arrangements. Many people go here just for a drink. The beer is brewed by the local micro-brewery Humleland in-house and served on tap and bottles. The brews are quite creative, diverse and of a great quality. Special imports are also available. Several options for wine by the glass. If you want to dine, reserve a table on-line before you go. Take note that this place does not accept cash.

Wed Thu 16:00-23:00, Fri Sat 14:00-24:00

Harmonien

Gamers take note: apart from the cheap beer and drinks served at this traditional værtshus, you can also play snooker, darts, foosball, and even try your luck on a couple of slot machines if you like. With TVs at the bar invariably tuned to the big game, Harmonien is also a great place to cheer for the home team with the locals. Smoking allowed.

Daily from 13:00

Herr Bartels

The longest bar desk in town, serving a changing selection of excellent drinks and cocktails in a nice atmosphere. All nights, some selected drinks are "two for the price of one". Age limit is 20 on weekends.

Thu-Sat from 19:00·Cocktails kr 70-95

Hos Anders

A bar with occasional live music, mostly jazz. The audience here is usually a bit more mature.

Beer kr 20

Jacob Skomager

A regular værtshus with an old fashioned decor in an area with many local værtshus bars. Smoking allowed. Drop in for a cup of coffee in the early afternoon or a beer after work. You can get hot dogs at the small square opposite this place. Fun fact: Jacob Skomager is a character from the Renaissance play Jeppe på Bjerget by celebrated writer Ludvig Holberg.

Daily from 10:00

Lava

Another jack-of-all-trades type of place at the riverside, Lava is a café, bistro and bar all in one. The latter identity comes into the picture on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights after 21:00, with an international wine list (including champagne by the bottle), superb rums and cognacs, and French spirits like armagnac, calvados and eau de vie for a very reasonable price. They occasionally host live music as well.

Cocktails from kr 80 (two for kr 90)

London Bar

A cocktailbar with dimmed lightning, black tiles and individual tables open for reservations. Many of the bars at the riverside attracts a very young audience, but this bar has a minimum age of 25 and a corresponding relaxed atmosphere. The cocktails are good quality, all made from scratch, half-price before 23:00. Champagne and quality liquor also available. On occassion, events or cocktail courses (1-2 hours) are arranged.

Fri Sat from 20:00·Cocktails from kr 95 (discounts available)

Løve's

Two separate buildings around the corner from each other: the former a relaxed wine bar-deli, the latter an equally relaxed wine bar-bookstore-café with occasional book and poetry readings, wine tastings, and other events. Løve's attracts a mixed and sociable crowd.

Madmors Vinbix

Vinbix

Small, almost secret, winebar in the DIY commune at the Godsbanen area. Sip on an everchanging selection of natural wines in good company. In the evenings, some food is offered as well. Book a table with an SMS.

Thu 12:00-22:00, Fri Sat 12:00-23:00

Mig & Ølsnedkeren

Beer bar with a large selection of craft beer, among the best in Aarhus. Some of the beers are brewed specifically for this place, while other are imports from around the world. The tap selection changes regularly, so there will always be new stuff to sample for beer lovers. Good vibe and bartenders who knows what beer is all about.

Mon-Sat

Mikeller Bar

At this outlet for the renowned craft brewery of the same name, you can choose from a changing slate of 20 beers on tap — both from Mikeller and other breweries worldwide — plus a huge and ever-changing bottle list. If you're (understandably) overwhelmed, the bartenders at this cozy, chilled-out spot are more than happy to help you navigate the vast selection. For non-beer drinkers, a range of high-end spirits and cherry wine (a local specialty) are offered.

Sun-Fri from 14:00, Sat from 13:00·kr 40 for a tap beer serving

Mundhæld

Quality beer bar with many craft beers on tap, both local stuff and from far away. Mundhæld takes pride in presenting beer from East Jutland in particular. Take your pick from the big beer board, or talk to the bartender for a proper suggestion.

Tue-Thu 16:00-23:00; Fri Sat 12:00-02:00

Peder Wessel

Nice classic bodega on Trøjborg, north of the city center. Relaxing and cosy atmosphere on the week days, but packed with people ready to party on weekend nights. Often live music.

Mon-Sat from 11:00, closed Sundays

Peter Gift

The typical Danish bodega, and mention a claimant to the title of oldest surviving bar in Aarhus (in business since 1906), Peter Gift serves a good selection of beers in a pleasant, relaxed and secluded atmosphere. Lunch is served Tu-Sa, but reservations are required. Smoking is restricted to the backyard.

Daily 11:00-01:00

Pinds Cafe

This small bar has served since 1848, but got its name from a miss Elna Pind who took control in 1936, notorious for her sharp tongue and very strict rules. Things are more easy nowadays but the old-fashioned decor clings on. The clientele is typically of the mature and relaxed kind. Smoking allowed.

Wed-Sat from 16:00

Pub'en

A local værtshus with local craft brew (Aarhus Bryghus) on tap and opportunity for a game of dart. Also Ceres TOP beer by the bottle and other beverages. Smoking allowed and a more festive vibe on weekend nights.

Daily

Ris Ras Filliongongong

Ris Ras

At this cozy hipster hangout you can indulge in a great variety of beers, rums, and even hookah to the strains of the latest indie music in the background. If you are new to craft beer and don't know where to start, the Hancock on tap is the beer of the house and always a hit. No food up for sale, but you are welcome to bring your own along, if you buy a beer or two and clean up after yourself.

Mon-Wed 12:00-01:00, Thu-Sat 12:00-02:00, Sun 16:00-22:00

ST3

A soft clubbing concept in the same basement as Alberts. If you are a party, it is possible to reserve your own table. Age limit is 21+.

FSa from 23:00

Sharks

Not only a bar but also Denmark's largest pool hall, with 26 billiard tables that pack 'em in most nights. To get away from the madding crowds, head for one of three cozy lounges where you can enjoy a beer or tuck in to a burger or a plate of nachos (the kitchen closes at 22:00). Sharks is also a popular place to catch major sporting events on TV.

Daily·Pool tables kr 1-2 per minute, cocktails from kr 45

Shen Mao

Table tennis is the name of the game here, just rent a bat at the bar for kr 40 and get a beer when you return it. The place looks pretty rough and tends to focus on hip-hop music. Age limit is 20, and usually, the party builds slowly with things getting crowded no sooner than midnight. No state-of-the-art high-end craft cocktails here, just beer by the can, basic mixed drinks, and all the ping-pong you can handle. The namesake of the bar is the Chinese-born owner who used to run this place out of his apartment.

Thu-Sat from 21:30·Beer cans kr 35, drinks kr 75

St. Pauls Apothek

This old restored pharmacy (hence the name) from 1899 now wears many hats: St. Pauls Apothek is a high-end restaurant in the early evening, a fashionable cocktail bar afterward, and a nightclub when it gets really late. Creatively conceived and artfully executed speciality cocktails come served on their own or paired with gourmet dinners.

Tue-Thu 17:30 - 00:00, Fri Sat 17:30 - 02:00

Tir Na Nóg

A huge Irish pub with nice decor, a festive atmosphere, live music, and pub trivia on Thursday night. Good selection of high-end whiskey, scotch, and rums. As at Sharks, the TVs around the bar are a popular place to catch sporting events.

Daily