Cologne Nightlife
The night owl in Cologne will not be disappointed. There is a huge range of nocturnal haunts to try and the city is famous for its bars and its beer. Cologne is said to have more bars per capita than any other city in Germany and like most regions in the country, is famous for its own distinctive beer. Here, the speciality is Kölsch, a light beer that is brewed by more than 20 local firms.
For traditional German drinking establishments, visitors cannot go far wrong if they head to Altstadt. If the locals are heading in to town for a few beers or two, this is where they tend to come.
Meanwhile, the Hohenzollernring is home to some of the city's big nightclubs. Try Tiefenrausch if dancing to house music along with hundreds of other sweaty bodies is your thing or for a nightclub with a Latin flavour, head to Petit Prince.
The Belgian quarter is the city's main area for live music and cultured DJs. Jazz fans should try Stadtgarten on Venloerstrasse for some top quality sets on most nights of the week, while fans of the best in the way of up and coming DJs should head to Blue Note on Aachener Strasse.
Visitors who really want to do things on the cheap should head to the Quarter Lateng along the Zülpicherstrasse, where there are a number of inexpensive student haunts, including a multitude of restaurants and places playing canned music.
One of the cheapest bars and clubs in the city is the Roonburg student establishment on Roonstrasse, although you don't have to be studying anything to get in.
If it's culture you after, there are around 20 theatres in Cologne, with many putting on plays of a high standard. The City Theatre in Offenbachplatz is the pick of the bunch, and with three different theatres contained within the building, there is normally a top-notch production on.
Before enjoying the city's nightlife, however, putting some food inside you would be a good idea.
One of the region's most popular dishes is Himmel un Aad, which is black pudding served with potatoes and apple sauce. You will find this dish on the majority of menus and one of its finest exponents is Fruh am Dom on Am Hof, which serves a variety of other local dishes as well, all in pleasant surroundings. The place is well frequented by locals, which is always a good sign.
Malzmühle on Huemarkt is another good place for decently priced local food. The wooden benches provide an authentic feel while the paintings on the restaurants walls are famed throughout the city.
Those with more cosmopolitan tastes, and with a little more money to spare, should try out Bagutta on Heinsbergstrasse and Fischermanns on the city's main square of Rathenauplatz. Both serve an array of top quality Mediterranean dishes, with the seafood especially good in the latter.
Finally, close to Rathenauplatz on Hohenstaufenring is Fischers. The wine and food at this continental eatery are second to none, although the prices are high as well.
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Nightlife and Eating & Drinking
