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Alter Wartesaal
In a former train station waiting hall, this is a stylish bar-disco-restaurant combo. Themed nights range from the erotic KitKatClub to Depeche Mode parties, '80s nights and the legendary free Monday dance parties with go-go dancers.
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Barflo
A perennially popular all-day café with great breakfasts and cakes - gay friendly.
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Blue Lounge
A smooth dance and cocktail bar for a mixed crowd - gay friendly.
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Brauhaus Peters
This relative newcomer gets a slightly less raucous crowd holding forth in six highly individualistic nooks, including a small chapel and a room lidded by a kaleidoscopic stained-glass ceiling.
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Chains
The men-only Chains is the city's largest leather-and-fetish bar with house and techno on the turntable, and an active darkroom.
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Cleanicum
You can wash your smalls, surf the internet, check out the original art and chill to mellow sounds with reasonably priced drinks (nightly specials) at this retro-styled lounge-meets-Laundromat.
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Früh am Dom
This beer hall-cum-restaurant is in the shadow of the Dom. It serves filling breakfasts and a good range of hearty fare in its warren of rooms or, in summer, outside on a pretty square featuring by a whimsical fountain.
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Gebäude 9
This ex-factory is one of the most essential indie-rock concert venues in town. DJs take over at other times, and there's also an eclectic programme of edgy plays and films. Take tram 3 or 4 to KölnMesse/Osthallen. Check out the wacky toilets.
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Gezeiten
Favoured by lesbians, Gezeiten has a nice terrace and cabaret stage.
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Hallmackenreuther
Named after a character created by German satirist Loriot, this bustling Belgian Quarter bar-restaurant went 1960s retro-style long before the look became all the rage. Most of the clientele, though, weren't born until after that particular decade.
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Kölner Philharmonie
This grand and modern space is the city's premier venue for classical music; it's below the Museum Ludwig. Buy tickets at the tourist office.
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Lauschgift
This three-part fun zone is tailor-made for those nights when you're not sure whether you simply want to chill or hit the dance floor. If you fancy a spin, expect different sounds nightly - electro to funk, soul to trip-hop.
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Malzmühle
At this convivial beer hall off the beaten tourist track you can enjoy Kölsch brewed with organic ingredients in a setting of deer antlers, pewter plates and conversation-happy locals.
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Päffgen
Busy, loud and boisterous, Päffgen has been pouring Kölsch since 1883 and hasn't lost a step since. In summer you can enjoy the refreshing brew and local specialities underneath starry skies in the beer garden.
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Papa Joe's Em Streckstrump
This hot spot for live jazz has been packing 'em in nightly since 1976. Since concerts are always free, we don't mind the slightly higher drinks prices. Try the wicked herb liquor available only here.
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Papa Joe's Klimperkasten
A piano player tickles the ivories nightly in this museum-like place with 1920s-style décor.
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Schauspielhaus
Repertory theatre is based at the Schauspielhaus, in the same complex as the Opernhaus. The box office for both is in the Opernhaus foyer.
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Scheinbar
If you needed any proof that Cologne's nightlife is smoking hot, simply stop by this bar that's dressed in red satin, lava lamps and has sitting areas perfect for chilling.
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Schreckenskammer
This locals' favourite has better food than your average beer hall. Empty chairs are a rare sight, especially on Friday potato pancake nights.
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Shepheard
Cocktail connoisseurs should descend into this elegant cellar bar, which became Playboy's Bar of the Year in 2006. Named for a colonial hotel in Cairo, it offers 190 different cocktails, including 40 original creations concocted by bar chef Mirko himself.
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Six Pack
This is a must-stop on any Belgian Quarter pub crawl. Belly up to the super-long bar and pick from several-dozen varieties of beer, all served by the bottle from a giant fridge. Things can get seriously jammed after midnight.
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Sky Beach
Beach bar on the upper park deck of this department store with great views and chill ambience.
