Nightlife · Copenhagen · Denmark
Copenhagen nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Copenhagen, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Patti Manolis, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Copenhagen nightlife centres on cocktail bars, wine bars and craft-beer pubs rather than mega-clubs, with the liveliest scenes in Vesterbro, Nørrebro and the old city. Many bars stay open until 2am or later at weekends, and drinks are expensive. The main areas are Kødbyen (Meatpacking District), Nørrebro, Indre By and the Latin Quarter and Istedgade, Vesterbro.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Vesterbro
- Local drink
- Akvavit
Where to go out
Kødbyen (Meatpacking District)
Bars, clubs and restaurants in white-tiled former slaughterhouses in Vesterbro, busiest on Friday and Saturday nights.
Nørrebro
Natural-wine bars, cocktail bars and cafés around Jægersborggade, Elmegade and Ravnsborggade.
Indre By and the Latin Quarter
Cocktail bars, student pubs and jazz venues in the lanes of the old city.
Istedgade, Vesterbro
Cafés and bars along Istedgade and around Halmtorvet, close to Central Station.
Nightlife tips
- Danes go out late at weekends: bars fill from about 11pm and clubs after midnight.
- The metro runs all night, so getting home is easy.
- Drinking outdoors is legal and common along the harbour and canals in summer; take your empties with you.
Evening sights
Theme park · Vesterbro
Tivoli Gardens
Come in the evening when the lights come on; an entry ticket alone lets you stroll, and ride passes only pay off for several rides.
- Time needed
- 3–5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- After dark
- Couples
What to drink
- Akvavit — A caraway- or dill-flavoured spirit (snaps), drunk ice-cold from small glasses alongside herring and smørrebrød, with a toast of 'skål'.
- Danish beer — Copenhagen is the home of Carlsberg and of many craft breweries; seasonal Christmas beers in November and Easter brews (påskebryg) in spring are local favourites.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 14°C (57°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 16:09 | -1°C (30°F) | 10 |
| April | About 20:15 | 3°C (37°F) | 7 |
| July | About 21:45 | 14°C (57°F) | 9 |
| October | About 18:10 | 7°C (45°F) | 10 |
Getting home late
- Metro — Buy tickets in the official DOT app or at station machines, and check that your ticket covers enough zones.
- Walking — The old city, Nyhavn, the palaces and Christianshavn are close together, and footbridges such as Inderhavnsbroen link Nyhavn and Christianshavn across the harbour.
- Bus — City buses fill the gaps between metro lines, with night buses on the main routes.
Late-night bites
- Danish hot dog — Sausage wagons on Strøget, City Hall Square and near stations.
Staying safe at night
Copenhagen is generally safe for visitors. Watch for pickpockets around Central Station, Strøget and Nyhavn, and always lock a bike, as bike theft is common. The most frequent risk for visitors is stepping into a bike lane without looking, so check before you cross.
- Emergency number
- 112
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers, budget and solo travellers
Vesterbro
West of Central Station, Vesterbro has changed from a working-class and red-light area into one of the city's liveliest districts, with cafés and shops along Istedgade and Værnedamsvej and bars and restaurants in Kødbyen, the white-tiled former slaughterhouses of the Meatpacking District. Many mid-range hotels sit close to the station and Tivoli.
- Good
- Lively bars and restaurants; Close to Central Station; Good hotel choice
- Watch out
- Streets near the station can feel seedy late at night; Noisy at weekends
- Nearby
- Kødbyen, Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen Central Station, Carlsberg City
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Copenhagen?
Kødbyen (Meatpacking District), Nørrebro and Indre By and the Latin Quarter. Bars, clubs and restaurants in white-tiled former slaughterhouses in Vesterbro, busiest on Friday and Saturday nights.
+Which area of Copenhagen is best for nightlife?
Vesterbro: Old working-class streets turned bars, cafés and the Meatpacking District.