The commuters go home. Are you staying?

Luxembourg, after 6 pm

Luxembourg runs on a rhythm all its own. By day the capital fills up with people who come in from France, Belgium and Germany to work; in the evening many of them head back, and the streets of Kirchberg empty out almost at once. Those who stay have the city nearly to themselves.

The evening often starts with after-work drinks on a terrace at Place d’Armes or around the Gare district, then drifts down to Grund and Clausen at the foot of the old ramparts, where bars line the Alzette. Hollerich takes over for a late finish. In late August the Schueberfouer funfair sets up on the Glacis, and on the evening of 22 June, the eve of the National Day, the whole capital is out.

Here a conversation often switches language two or three times before dessert. The app keeps up: it comes in 44 languages, and you can switch whenever you like. And since public transport is free, the bus or tram home costs nothing.

Thursday is the big after-work night, and on Friday and Saturday people stay out later. At weekends, night buses run in the capital.

Where to go out in Luxembourg

• GrundThe lower town by the Alzette, with pubs and bars at the foot of the ramparts.
• ClausenRives de Clausen: old breweries turned into a street of bars side by side.
• HollerichBars and clubs for a late finish.
• Place d’ArmesThe heart of the upper town, with its terraces and after-work drinks.
• Quartier de la GareA mix of bars and restaurants, lively even on weeknights.
• Esch-sur-AlzetteThe country’s second city, with its bars and the Belval site.