Where to Drink in Ruhr, Germany

Germany’s largest urban area, Ruhr is characterised by the creativity and tenacity found across its towns and cities. Visit Dortmund and Essen to discover former mines and breweries being repurposed as meadows, museums and forward-looking cultural cooperatives

In partnership with

Photo credit: Ruhr Tourismus

bar

Umschlagplatz

Dortmund's port is one of the largest in Europe, but along Speicherstrasse - a waterfront strip lined with cool shipping containers-come-bars - you're more likely to find creatives sipping locally made beer than dockworkers. Start at Umschlagplatz, then head to one of the boat bars.

Address

Speicherstrasse 64, 44147

A lamp-lit corner at Gin & Jagger

bar

Gin & Jagger

Enjoying a prime position among Rüttenscheid's many boutiques, this Essen bistro-come-bar is a useful one to have on your radar. Hearty salads and excellent mocktails make it ideal for working lunches - photogenic pours come adorned with flaming rosemary and real flowers.

Address

Rüttenscheider Strasse 181, 45131

The Lowdown

Making plans for a visit? Head to ruhr-tourismus.de and urbanana.de to discover more. Purchase Volume 39: Ritual to read our 20-page travel companion to Cologne, Düsseldorf and Ruhr.

View of Cologne from a rooftop bar

Discover More
Everyone is Welcome: A Guide to Community-Focused Cologne