Connewitz Neighbourhood in Leipzig

Where to go out

Whether in the park, on the sidewalk or in front of one of the numerous late-night bars, in Connewitz, young and old often meet for a beer and a chat under the open sky - and not only on balmy summer evenings. If you prefer to have a roof over your head or a chair within reach, you can enjoy a drink at the Conne Island cultural centre at Koburger Strasse 3, let off some steam in the in-house skate park or listen to the weekly changing bands and DJs. Trees decorated with fairy lights and colourful graffiti create the right atmosphere. For something a little more dignified, check out Südbrause. The former public bath is located in Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 154 and thus on the outskirts of Connewitz. Across three floors you can have breakfast, lunch or an after-work beer. If you head out of the front door and stumble in a southerly direction, numerous other pubs and bars are waiting for visitors who like to drink. So you can turn night into day in Frau Krause, Zwille or the ZumutBar and get into conversation with local artists, globetrotters and students.

Art and culture in abundance

No place for philistines, the politically interested people of Connewitz surprise with a wealth of original art galleries. The locations and regularly changing exhibits are far off the beaten track. In Katakombe, for instance, you descend into dark cellar vaults and are inspired by equally gloomy installations and photographic art. No less bizarre and varied is the range on offer at the galerie KUB in Kantstrasse 18, where visitors can expect a wide variety of performance installations, readings, video works or photo series that illuminate the connection between man and houseplant - definitely worth a visit. A few streets away is WERK 2, the cultural factor of Leipzig. Concerts, exhibitions, unconventional theatre, roller disco, ceramic and printing workshops or live readings; the extensive grounds at Kochstrasse 132 cover everything the culturally interested heart desires. Another highlight: the Panometer at Richard-Lehmann-Strasse 114, where you can experience and marvel at fabulously impressive 360-degree panoramas, while the adjacent arena is used for open-air events.

Nature and parks

Anyone who yearns for nature will feel completely at home in the 4300 square metre Connewitz city garden. The formerly overgrown school garden area has been managed ecologically and close to nature by the Leipzig environmental association Ökolöwen for over 20 years. Here you can not only go for a walk and relax, but also garden together and participate in environmental education. The game park in Koburger Strasse not only has a wide variety of plants, but also 25 animal species. It is located in the southern Auenwald, a floodplain forest, and is considered one of the most attractive local recreation areas in the city. Moose, lynxes and raccoons can be observed on a total of 46 hectares of green space, while guided adventure trails reveal more about the animal inhabitants of the earth.

Vegan restaurant scene

Meat does not appear on the plates of many Connewitzers. Many people here eat vegan or vegetarian food - a food culture that is also clearly noticeable in the local restaurants. Zest, at Bornaische Strasse 54, offers menus that change every two months, is inspired by influences from all over the world and bakes its own bread and small tarts. The nearby Atacolypse, on the other hand, serves Mexican classics with a special touch, while in the well-attended Deli, bowls and tofu-burgers are served over the friendly counter. However, if you are a meat lover, don't worry. You can get your money's worth in the surrounding bistros, beer gardens and restaurants, and can bite into a steak while avoiding the judging looks of the local vegans.

Green, cultured and varied: Connewitz has much more to offer than its reputation suggests. Experience the colourful district best with your own eyes.