Must-see nightlife in Cologne & Northern Rhineland

  • Odonien

    Cologne

    The brainchild of artist Odo Rumpf, this subculture playground is creative lab, beer garden, concert venue, club, art centre, alfresco cinema and urban…

  • Salon des Amateurs

    Düsseldorf

    At one of Germany's most progressive dance clubs, the music skews heavily towards non-mainstream electronic and improvisational acts, which makes for a…

  • Zum Uerige

    Düsseldorf

    Local colour by the bucketful (despite the high tourist contingent) is what awaits at this cavernous Altbier brewpub. The suds flow so quickly from giant…

  • Biergarten Rathenauplatz

    Cologne

    A large, leafy park has one of Cologne's best places for a drink: a community-run beer garden. Tables sprawl under huge old trees, while simple snacks…

  • Kruse-Baimken

    Münster

    Huge trees soar over the passel of tables at this lovely beer garden right off the Promenade near the Aasee. Unsurprisingly it gets very crowded,…

  • Brauerei zur Malzmühle

    Cologne

    Expect plenty of local colour at this convivial, family-run beer hall attached to a brewery in business since 1858. It serves the popular Mühlen Kölsch…

  • Päffgen

    Cologne

    Busy and boisterous, Päffgen has been pouring Kölsch since 1883 and hasn’t lost step since. In summer you can enjoy the refreshing brew and local…

  • Biergarten Alter Zoll

    Bonn

    Here's a Bonn drinking game: every time a barge passes below this beer garden with gorgeous views of the Rhine, have a drink. You won't last an hour. It's…

  • Gewölbe

    Cologne

    The name translates as Vault so it's quite apropos that you have to negotiate a maze of small rooms to arrive at the main floor at this underground club…

  • Balke

    Dortmund

    It's really a civilised cocktail bar, but on Borussia Dortmund game days, the black-and-white floors are flooded by a sea of yellow and black, the team…

  • Brauhaus Peters

    Cologne

    This beautifully restored 19th-century pub draws a crowd knocking back their Kölsch in a web of highly individualistic nooks, including a little 'chapel'…

  • Bootshaus

    Cologne

    Bootshaus is the offshoot of Warehouse, one of Cologne's oldest techno clubs (1991) and regularly hosts DJ royalty such as David Guetta, Ellen Allien and…

  • Brauerei Kürzer

    Düsseldorf

    In 2010 Düsseldorf's established breweries got competition from this new kid on the block. No-fuss Brauhaus Kürzer captures the design zeitgeist with…

  • Stone im Ratinger Hof

    Düsseldorf

    In the 1980s, Ratinger Hof was the hub of Düsseldorf's underground scene and a birthplace of German punk. A techno temple in the '90s, it's again the…

  • Hafen Bar

    Münster

    For a glamour vibe without the velvet rope, beat a trail to this stylish glass cube with red ostrich benches and an Elizabeth Taylor portrait. Good…

  • Destille

    Düsseldorf

    The kind of neighbourhood bar that makes you want to move to the neighbourhood. Saturday mornings are 'breakfasts with authors' – when local authors give…

  • Frieda Bar

    Cologne

    Even if punk and stoner rock are not usually your thing, you'll get a warm and fuzzy feeling in this campy pub-style bar that pours Kölsch instead of…

  • Melody Bar

    Düsseldorf

    After 10pm you may have to shoehorn your way into this jewel of a cocktail bar that’s a tiny island of sophistication amid the boisterous Altstadt thirst…

  • Pawlow

    Bonn

    Generations of bon vivants have followed the Pavlovian bell to this northern Altstadt institution. A cafe in the daytime with a fine terrace (good…

  • Bohème Boulette

    Münster

    Friendly bar that reboots a 1920s vibe for the 21st century with good burgers, beers, football on the big screen, quiz nights and other events that bring…

  • Pension Schmidt

    Münster

    This hip cultural cafe has top-quality coffee and comfortable sofas for lounging on. Join convivial locals at such events as poetry readings, a pub quiz,…

  • Cafe Gasolin

    Münster

    This cleverly converted 1950s gas station has blissful cakes, light snacks and strong coffee. At night, different DJs keep the place busy after everything…

  • Cafe & Bar Zuhause

    Aachen

    This living-room-style cafe brims with books and leafy plants. It's an inviting refuge for winding down on vintage sofas or for meeting locals over a cold…

  • Limes

    Bonn

    This cult pub north of the Altstadt has a bewildering menu of 50 beers plus discounted daily specials along with foosball and occasional live music.

  • Früh am Dom

    Cologne

    This warren of a beer hall near the Dom epitomises Cologne earthiness and is a great place to sample the typical Kölsch beer. Knock them back and tuck…

  • Schreckenskammer

    Cologne

    Empty chairs are a rare sight at this locals’ favourite with a pedigree going back to 1442. There's a fine beer garden, excellent food (mains €9 to €20),…

  • Six Pack

    Cologne

    An institution in the Belgisches Viertel, Six Pack is a worthy stop on any Cologne pub crawl. Pass through the battered door, belly up to the super-long…

  • Sub

    Düsseldorf

    Getting past the door can be tough, but if you succeed you’ll have a fine time inside this glitzy basement haunt designed to look like a subway station…

  • Gaffel am Dom

    Cologne

    Right in the shadow of the Dom, this rambling beer hall pours traditional Kölsch beer for up to 1200 thirsty guests. Hearty Rhenish dishes, including some…