Ugly Deluxe
Whatever its unflattering name might suggest, this stylish bar in the Bilk district is actually one of the best-looking in the city, with a spacious, pale interior, specialist beers and a decent selection of cocktails. They have occasional live music here too.

Address: 80 Karolingerstrasse | Telephone: 0211 311 9354 |

Bar Alexander
Hard liquor fans will love Bar Alexander, where a long list of spirits forms the basis for classic Sidecars and molecular drinks alike, plus you can try a "flight" of four assorted miniature cocktails.

Address: 71 Düsselstrasse | Telephone: 0211 876 3759 |

Knight Club
The slickest new kid on the Altstadt's liveliest block is Knight Club, where house, R&B and chart sounds keep pumping until 5am at weekends and Becks, Diebels and classic cocktails deal with clubbers' thirst.

Address: 32 Bolkerstrasse |

Anaconda Lounge
Cocktails, electro and house make for a potent mix at revamped hipster hangout Anaconda Lounge, where the queues of twentysomethings at the door are as snake-like as the name.

Address: 11 Andreasstrasse | Telephone: 0172 272 7252 |