Hoepfner
Like other cities in germany, karlsruhe has a few regional brands of beer, of which hoepfner is the most famous. there is a brewery and beer garden at the east site of the town. it is also worth exploring the microbreweries scattered around the city, such as the vogelbraeu, wolf brauerei and the badische brauhaus, all of which have seasonal specialities.
Dorfschänke
The Dorfschänke is Karlsruhe's oldest Kneipe, and a good place to meet up with people. With the normal selection of beers and drinks, this is also a good place to see bands or to watch soccer outside during the summer. There is also a fairly popular "Kicker" or Foos-ball to us Americans table inside where you can pick up a game or two. Be prepared to pay cover on nights when bands are playing. Am Künstlerhaus 33
Agostea
Is a nice but pricy club near the kronenplatz with 2 dancefloors.
Carambolage
(http://www.club-carambola...) - special club in the near of the university and maybe the only place of the city where you can go out until 5am during the week.
Z-10
A bar run by local university students that is frequented by the Karlsruhe's student population. There are several local beers offered here for very cheap think 1 - 1.50 euro and also decent cocktails. Bands are frequently playing on saturdays no entry fee and visitors can play cards, board games and table soccer with other patrons. Check the website for hours as the bar is generally only open when school is in session.
Badisch Brauhaus
(http://www.badisch-brauha...) is a very large multi-story beer garden, brewery and restaurant. on its uppermost floor is a cocktail bar; probably the nicest place in karlsruhe for cocktails although on weekends it can be difficult to get a seat and service can be slow. stephanienstr. 38-40
Alter Brauhof
A nice place to sit outside and have a beer only a good place in summer, also offers decent food. its not so well known, so you stand a good chance of finding a nice place even on a nice summer evening even on weekends. beiertheimer allee 18a
Scruffy's
Scruffy's is Karlsruhe's best Irish Pub. The interior of the bar is reminiscent of the hold of an old ship and is a comfortable environment. There are a variety of beers and whiskeys, as well as good Irish music every week. Often the owner's band will play, always a treat. The bartenders and some of the patrons are native English speakers, so it's a good place to let the tourist's brain relax after speaking a lot of German! Just make sure you keep a good count on how many beers you order the owner occasionally miscounts. Karlstr. 4, Across from the Europaplatz