Auerbachs Keller

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Sculptures depicting the events at Auerbachs Keller at the cellar's entrance in Mädlerpassage

Auerbachs Keller (Auerbach's Cellar in English) is the best known and second oldest restaurant in Leipzig. Auerbachs Keller most notably appeared in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's play Faust I, as the first place Mephistopheles takes Faust on their travels.

Auerbach's Cellar is located below the Mädlerpassage at Grimmaische Straße 2 in Leipzig's historical district near the market. It has four historical dining rooms; the Fasskeller (Barrel Cellar), Lutherzimmer (Luther Room), Goethezimmer (Goethe Room), Alt-Leipzig (Old-Leipzig), and since 1913 the Großer Keller (Large Cellar). There is also the Mephisto Bar on the floor above available for drinks.

The restaurant owes much of its fame to Goethe who frequented Auerbach's Cellar as a student and called it his favorite wine bar. According to legend, the Alchemist Dr. Johann Georg Faust once rode a wine barrel from the cellar to the street at Auerbach's Cellar, and that only with the help of the Devil could he have accomplished this feat. This legend is most likely what led Goethe to add the scene Auerbach's Cellar to his play Faust I.