10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Dortmund

The Alter Markt (Old Market) traces its history back to the 12th century when merchants displayed their wares to Dortmund’s inhabitants. Today, the Alter Markt represents the social centre of the city, where locals come to shop, dine and drink in the historic square’s boutiques, restaurants, and bars. It’s also home to some of the city’s best architecture.

Notable landmarks at the Alter Markt include the Neo-Renaissance Altes Stadhaus (Old Civic Hall) and the old fountain, which was installed in 1901 and runs with yellow water when Borussia Dortmund win a trophy. In summer, you can enjoy drinks on tables that spill out onto the square.

Dortmund’s Kruezviertel district is considered to be one of the most fashionable areas in the Ruhr. It’s home to over a dozen Art Nouveau buildings designed by well-known architects. Throughout the day, visitors flock to the district’s numerous clothing, art and design boutiques. At night, clubs, bars and pubs keep the area lively into the early hours. 

Kruezviertel is served by subway stations including Saarlandstrasse, Polizeipräsidium and Kreuzstrasse. Most nightlife venues are located on the streets surrounding the Vinkeplatz and Kreuzstrasse. You’ll also find many budget-friendly local pubs around Signal Iduna Park, home of the Borussia Dortmund football team.

DEPOT Kulturort is a large culture centre for the arts, situated inside a listed former tram workshop. It's home to around 40 creatives ranging from architecture firms to photographers, and it frequently hosts events such as movie viewings, art markets, workshops, and theatrical performances.

Most events at DEPOT Kulturort are held on a Friday or Saturday when the building stays open until 10 pm. You can walk to DEPOT Kulturort in under 5 minutes from the Immermannstraße/Klinikzentrum Nord subway station.

The Florianturm is a 220-metre-tall communications tower overlooking Dortmund and the manicured gardens and greenspaces of the Westfalenpark. Two observation decks offer views from heights of 141 and 144 metres. You can also dine at a revolving restaurant from a height of nearly 130 metres.

If purchased together, tickets to enter the Westfalenpark and the Florianturm cost around 4 euros. On most days, the Florianturm closes at 6 pm, but it remains open until 8 pm on weekends. After taking in the view from the tower, you can explore Westfalenpark attractions that include the Blossom Garden and the Japanese Garden.

Dortmund Concert Hall (Konzerthaus dortmund) is a modern auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,550. It’s where to go if you want to watch a musical or concert after dinner in Dortmund. Since opening in 2002, this venue has been an icon of the city. It was designed with comfort and acoustics in mind, making it a hotspot for live jazz sessions and operas.

Dortmund Concert Hall is located in the north of the city centre, just inside the ring road. On the surrounding streets, you’ll find plenty of popular bars like Baseology and Rock Café serving after-show drinks. You can walk to the concert hall from the Reinoldikirche subway station in under 5 minutes.

The modernist Theater Dortmund is a symbol of the city, with its distinctive concrete shell roof and large stage. It was constructed in 1966 on the former site of the Old Synagogue. Since then, it’s been one of the most productive venues in Europe for operas, concerts, ballets, and plays. It hosts around 70 productions per season.

Theater Dortmund is located opposite the Stadtgarten, which is a scenic place to explore before catching a performance. You can walk to Theater Dortmund in around 4 minutes from the Stadtgarten subway station.

The Museum of Art and Cultural History occupies a former bank in an Art Deco building in Dortmund. Inside, you’ll see displays of medieval art, Roman gold coins and folk art from the 17th and 18th centuries, but it’s most famous for its collection of 19th-century paintings. Notable artists include Lovis Corinth, Max Slevogt and Caspar David Friedrich.

On most days, the Museum of Art and Cultural History closes at 6 pm, but it remains open until 8 pm on Thursday and Friday. Visit on Friday to avoid the large crowds. You may need to buy tickets for events and temporary exhibitions, but admission to the permanent exhibition is free.

Solebad Wischlingen is a public sauna in the Revierpark Wischlingen, away from the bustle of Dortmund’s city centre. Here, you can relax in warm indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna area, a Jacuzzi, and a plunge pool. The facility is suitable for both adults and children, and you can rent private rooms for a bit of peace and quiet.

Solebad Wischlingen is located nearly 9 km east of the city centre, but it’s easy to reach by railway. The train from Dortmund Main Station to Dortmund-Wischlingen train station takes just 5 minutes and departs every 15 minutes.

Bergmann Brauerei GmbH consists of a standing beer hall attached to a brewery, giving visitors an insight into Dortmund’s historical brewing culture. One of the most popular draft beers available is the DBB Hopfensünde, though there are usually a variety of new drinks to sample. You can also book tours of the brewery.

The Bergmann Brauerei GmbH beer hall is located in the historic industrial district of Phoenix West, and is open daily until 10 pm. Throughout summer, you can sip draft ales in the beer garden, and a food truck serves delicious comfort food from Thursday to Sunday. The nearest subway and train station is Dortmund Hörde.

The award-winning HÖVELS Hausbrauerei is one of Dortmund’s oldest breweries, where you can sip cask ales and draft beers on the terrace or inside the wood-beamed restaurant. As a celebration of Dortmund’s brewing heritage, HÖVELS Hausbrauerei has retained its old-style decor. Even the brewery’s exclusive glass designs are based on their Art Nouveau-era originals.

HÖVELS Hausbrauerei is connected to the Thier-Galerie shopping mall, where you can browse upscale goods in shops across multiple floors before sitting down for evening drinks. The brewery remains open from noon until midnight daily.