Dresden Guide for Tourist
NIGHTLIFE
It seems like the entire Neustadt spends the day anticipating 10pm. Ten years ago, the area north of Albertpl. was a maze of gray streets lined with crumbling buildings. Now a spontaneous, alternative community has sprung up in the 50 bars crammed onto Konigsbriicker Str. Bischofsweg, Kamenzerstr. and Albertpl. Kneipen Surfer (free at Neustadt hostels) provides a description of every bar.
DownTown, Katharinenstr. 11. Constantly packed. The music is loud, seating is rare, and the crowd is enthusiastic. The evening here begins upstairs at the bar, billiard hall, and tattoo parlor. Expect pop, Latin, and electronic music. Cover ‚3.50, students ‚2.50. Open Tu, Th-Sa 10pm-5am.
Brauhaus am Waldschlosschen, am Brauhaus 8b. Tram 11 to Waldschldsschen or walk 25min. up Baunitzerstr. On a hill overlooking the Elbe and the Dresden skyline, this brewery proves Bavaria doesn’t have a monopoly on great beer gardens. Beer by the liter (‚4.60) and classic German entrees (‚6-9).
Scheune, Alaunstr. 36. From Albertpl. walk up Konigsbrucker Str. and turn right onto Katharinenstr.; take a left onto Alaunstr. The.granddaddy of the Neustadt bar scene. Club opens at 8pm. Cover varies. Indian cafe open M-F 5pm-2am, Sa-Su 10am-2pm. Deja Vu, Rothenburgerstr. 37. From Albertpl. take Bautznerstr. and then a left onto Roth-enburgerstr. Tired of beer? Head to this milkbar” for a milkshake (alcoholic or non) and creamy decor. Open M-F lpm-lam, Sa-Su lpm-3am.
Die 100, Alaunstr. 100. With over 250 wines, this quiet Weinkeller caters to the conais-seur without emptying his portemonnaie. Open daily 5pm-3am.
Studentenklub Barenzwinger, Bruhlischer Garten 1, under the garden between the Elbe and the Albertinum. Dresden’s former fortress attracts crowds with cheap drinks and student DJs. Beer ‚1.50. 18+. Cover ‚3, students ‚2. Concerts ‚7-10. Open Tu and F-Sa from 9pm for live shows and dancing.
BOY’s, Alaunstr. 30, just beyond the Kunsthof Passage, A half-naked devil mannequin guards one of Dresden’s popular gay bars. Drinks ‚2.70-6. Open daily 8pm-3am.
DAYTRIP FROM DRESDEN
In 1710, the Saxon elector contracted severe Porzellankrankheit (the porcelain bug, which still afflicts tourists today) and turned the city’s defunct castle into Europe’s first porcelain factory. The building was once more tightly guarded than KGB headquarters to prevent competitors from learning its techniques; today, anyone can tour the Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur, Talstr. 9. Peruse finished products in the Schauhalle (‚4.50, students ‚4), but the real fun is the Schauwerkstatt (show workshop), in which porcelain artists paint perfectly detailed flowers before your incredulous eyes. (Open May-Oct. daily 9am-6pm; Nov.-Apr. 9am-5pm. ‚3. English headsets available.) Narrow, romantic alleyways lead up to the Albrechtsburg castle and cathedral. (Open Mar.-Oct. daily 10am-6pm; Nov.-Feb. 10am-5pm. ‚3.50, students ‚2.50.) From the train station, walk straight onto Bahnhofstr. and follow it over the Elbbriicke. Cross the bridge, continue straight to the Markt, and turn right onto Burgstr. Next door looms the MeiBener Dom, a Gothic cathedral featuring four 13th-century statues by the Naumburg Master, a triptych by Cranach the Elder, and the metal grave coverings of the Wettins. (Open Apr.-Oct. daily 9am-6pm; Nov.-Mar. 10am-4pm. ‚2, students ‚1.50.)
Reach Meifien from Dresden by train (40min. ‚4.50). The tourist office, Markt 3, across from Frauenkirche, finds private rooms for a ‚3 fee. ( (03521) 419 40. Open Apr.-Oct. M-F 10am-6pm, Sa-Su 10am-4pm; Nov.-Mar. M-F 10am-5pm, Sa 10am-3pm.) Postal Code: 01662.
