Cologne
The brainchild of artist Odo Rumpf, this subculture playground is creative lab, beer garden, concert venue, club, art centre, alfresco cinema and urban…
Must-see nightlife in Cologne & Northern Rhineland
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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'…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Ostwestfalen
If you're looking for a fun night out with a relaxed crowd, beam yourself up to the legendary Sputnik, home of cold beers and eclectic entertainment –…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
The Ruhrgebiet
This convivial pub has kept locals and clued-in visitors lubricated for well over 100 years. A good spot to watch Bundesliga and other big football games…
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.
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…
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),…
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…
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…
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…
