The Frankfurter Welle complex, situated immediately north of the Alte Oper building, is a residential and commercial area with dining and nightlife options for visitors. The name Welle, meaning wave, originates from the original wave-shaped flow of the river Leerbach, running through the middle of the complex along a pedestrianised street, which is imitated in the curved architecture. The interesting new-media installations of the 'open art gallerie', with sound sculptures, screens behind waterfalls and illuminated words beneath the Leerbach, are worth a visit, as is the more mundane biweekly market.

The bars and restaurants in the Welle comples are reviews under the appropriate section: click to Restaurants for Starbucks, La Belle Vie, Fondue Hot Pot, El Cardenal and Mayflower, and to Nightlife for Coyote Café.

Welle Events
Tuesday
12:00 - 15:00: Mediterranean buffet at La Belle Vie
18:00 - 20:00: One beer for €1 at El Cardenal
Wednesday
17:30 - 20:00: 2-for-1-cocktails at La Belle Vie
Thursday
12:00 - 14:00: Happy hour with soft drinks €1.50 at Hot Pot Fondue Bar, El Cardenal and La Belle Vie
12:00 - 14:00: Cool Jazz Piano at the market
17:00 - 19:00: Happy hour with cocktails and longdrinks €4.50 at Hot Pot Fondue Bar, El Cardenal and La Belle Vie
From 17:00: Wine-tasting at El Cardenal
From 19:00: Various live music and cultural highlights around the Welle
From 20:00: Music sensations at Hot Pot Fondue Bar
Friday
18:00 - 24:00: Friday fish special with and live-music at La Belle Vie