Cologne - Bars & Nightlife

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Bars & Nightlife

Cologne

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Overview

Bars & Nightlife The guide was updated: 2025-06-27

The best way to spend a free evening is in a Biergarten, where beer is served in a pleasant, open-air setting away from the streets. Of course, don't forget to try the local brewed beer called Kölsch. If you’re looking for more intense and exciting nightlife, several bars and clubs can be found in the areas outside the ring road, in the Old Town and in the Belgian District.

Zülpicher Straße

Zülpicher Straße

Zülpicher Straße is one of Cologne’s main nightlife arteries, especially popular with students and younger crowds. It’s packed with bars, pubs, and late-night food spots—perfect if you want to kick off your night with cocktails or beer and keep going without ever leaving the street.

Stadtgarten

Stadtgarten

Stadtgarten is a go-to spot in Neustadt park for live music lovers, with two main stages: the concert hall and Studio 672. They host around 400 events a year, from jazz and pop to electronic and spoken word. The onsite restaurant serves regional and veggie-friendly dishes, and the spacious beer garden is perfect for a relaxed drink during warmer months. In winter, they even run a cozy Christmas market with mulled wine and snacks.

Live Music Hall

Live Music Hall

Live Music Hall is one of Cologne’s top mid‑size venues and club nights. It hosts everything from international concerts to themed DJ nights like ‘90s pop or hardcore. If you're in Cologne for live music or a good night out, this place is worth checking for whatever’s on the roster.

Red Cat Lounge

Red Cat Lounge

Red Cat is a compact but lively weekend spot on Luxemburger Straße. It blends bar, lounge, and club vibes—grab a Kölsch or a cocktail at the bar, then squeeze onto the dance floor once the DJ kicks things off.

Biergarten Rathenauplatz

Biergarten Rathenauplatz

A small beer garden tucked in a quiet park just south of the Belgian Quarter. Grab a Kölsch and a snack from the Stadtgarten kitchen while chilling among the trees. They serve beer from the nearby Heller brewery—nice spot if you want to escape the buzz for a bit.

De.Lite

De.Lite

Tucked into the Belgian Quarter, De.Lite brings laid-back retro with its ’70s décor, cocktails, live music and weekend DJs. It’s small, cosy, and modulates its vibe depending on the night—jazz on Thursdays, DJs on weekends, and an occasional comedy set.

Hellers Volksgarten

Hellers Volksgarten

Step into the green heart of the Südstadt park, and you’ll find Hellers Volksgarten—a relaxed beer garden with a view of the lake you can paddle across. It’s one of the few places in Cologne pouring organic Kölsch and cloudy 'Wiess' straight from the Heller brewery. Food ranges from hearty German fare like schnitzel, sausages and spare ribs to seasonal salads and cakes. Beyond drinks and food, you’ll often catch events like midsummer bonfires, live jazz or sports screenings.

Zum scheuen Reh

Zum scheuen Reh

Zum scheuen Reh is an eclectic bar and music venue that offers a mix of live shows, DJ nights, film screenings, readings and art displays. Drinks cover the full spectrum, from craft cocktails and whiskey to local beers, but Thursdays are the highlight: Gin & Tonic day, with discounted prices and gin-tasting flights if you're keen to try new flavours.

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