Germany
Visit during the day to see the splendour of the city unfold in front of you, or the drama of a spectacular sunset, and visit at night to see the city sparkle. This place has live TV, a summer bbq, post-match parties and an open-air terrace with panoramic views. It’s also within walking distance of many famous landmarks including the Fritz Walter Stadium.
In the City Hall, on the 21st floor: Willy-Brandt-Platz 1 (entrance is on Maxstraße);
tel: 631 320 43 70
email: info@21-lounge.de
www.21-lounge.de
In general, I can recommend Kaiserslautern to all English-speaking visitors, due to the tradition of having the American forces around for 50 years, everybody is used to speaking English; and English-speaking guests are often particularly welcome since the town hasn't got much other industry and relies heavily on the income from the "base" in Ramstein and the neighbouring supporting military units.
For a post-lunch digestive drink or late-night cocktails, the Gusto bar is the place to be, preferably BEFORE closing time of the regular pubs (1am weekdays, 2am weekends), when it can become very crowded.
At weekends, personal knowledge of the doorman may be required after hours so make sure you arrive early if you want a really late night and some of the most attentive waiting staff I've experienced in Kaiserslautern.
Nights out are pretty cheap, cheerful and can be very late if so required. My personal favourite for studenty atmosphere is the Benderhof in Richard-Wagner-Strasse, they also serve a mean and affordable breakfast buffet on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Kulturzentrum Kammgarn is a community-sponsored centre of cultural activity and hosts regular pop and jazz concerts, and they'll probably have an internationally-focused programme for the World Cup. It's also very reasonable.
For a stylish supper, try the restaurants around Stiftsplatz.
L'Arcata serves upmarket Italian food, while Uwe's Tomate is the main upmarket modern eatery in K-Town and DOES require reservation for main evening dinner time, but you'll find it delicious - subltle food at good value for money, particularly if you come from London and are used to West End prices.
The Glockencafe is a classic student hangout with a very decent kitchen, try the flammkuchen, pizzas or humungous salads.
Glockenstrasse
If the weather permits, there's a beautiful, big old swimming pool (unheated I'm afraid) north of Kaiserslautern, it's called Waschmühle and a cabbie will take you there for not much more than 5 Euro, perfect for relaxing pre-and post game days and, due to German tradition and hospitality, beer and fried sausages are sold at reasonable prices.
There's a fairly wild and impressive area of forest with well-tended walkways south of Kaiserslautern. If you walk on Bremerstrasse past the Stadium towards Bremerhof, you'll be able to join some very interesting, signposted forest walks immediately.
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