Koln (Cologne)

I am looking for a brauhaeus for a small gathering before a concert at the Theater am Tanzbrunnen across the Rhein River. It will be the end of May. So weather may be a factor. I understand there is a place called Cologne Beach Club next to the venue. But I am looking for more of a brewpub with food. Still walking distance to Tanzbrunnen. Or at least a short uBahn ride over. Craft is not a must. But would be a bonus. I never had Kolsch style before as I mentioned in another thread. Thanks in advance.

 

It's less than 2km to Früh (on foot). The railway bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke) has a pedestrian path. That takes you right to the Hbf and the Dom and Früh is right there.

 

Bu then you would have to drink Früh Kölsch, why would you do that?

So many great choices around Heumarkt, especially Mühlen and Päffgen.

 

I wanted to bump this thread rather than start a new one. I'll be in Köln this weekend (Saturday only) showing my Dad around. Is there a preference from the German Forum BA's here between Mühlen and Päffgen (quality of food included)? I'm trying to decide between taking the U5 directly from the Hbf to the Heumarkt for lunch at Malzmühle and then walking back up towards the Dom on a full stomach, or walking down from the Dom to St. Martin's to either Päffgen on Salzgasse or a bit further to Malzmühle.

Does Päffgen sell bottles to take away? I'm hoping to take home a few for the remainder of the weekend. Any other recommendations? Is the Fischmarkt worth walking past? We're only planning on spending only hours there, much of which will be spent either in the Dom or having lunch. (And I'll be missing the DFB Pokal Finale!!!)

Thanks in advance!

 

Sorry, no advice form me if you're missing the DFB Pokal Finale. Your "itinerary" sounds like a good plan, but the kickoff is at 8 pm, and you can't find a bar to watch it? Shame on you.

Last year I was in Köln for the DFB Pokal and I managed to find a few bars, actually, every bar worth it's salt will be putting up a TV especially for this game. This is grudge match: BVB vs. FC Hollywood! Not just another game. Dortmund has nothing to lose and Lewandowski is out to gain respect and prove himself a thorn (hopefully) in his new employers side, and a team wanting to prove it's not a washed up team next to Bayern. And the pressure on Bayern, dreading another loss and thereby becoming the laughing stock of German football, not to mention the rivalry between Kloppo and Pep.

 

I know, I know, but the train leaves at 18:55 and it takes two hours to get to HD. Very poor planning on my part. Best case scenario is we can find somewhere not-too-crowded for the second half of the second half, but the bars are gonna be packed for this one, for all the reasons you stated. (Although I didn't realize there was a Klopp/Pep rivalry?) And we're taking my boy, who will probably be ready for bed by 21:00. Maybe I can get back to my apartment before any decisive scoring happens. If Dortmund wins, Bayern will be ready to run Pep out on a rail...

 

I'd take the subway to Heumarkt and have lunch at Malzmuehle. I (and my wife and kid) loved the food there, and the beer goes down very easy...while standing up well to the Himmel un Aed and other specialties. The walk back across Heumarkt might be cool, too -- they may even have a "public viewing" of the game there (apparently there will be for the WM). Then the Paeffgen will be a nice, hoppier digestiv after the walk. Maybe even a couple of Absacker at Frueh once you make it back to the Domplatz. Just my $0.02. Either way, have fun! Prost!

 

I'm getting a Halver Hahn craving!

 

Bumping this to see if @mjtierney2 made it to Koeln and where he ended up. I'm especially curious as I just read that, as of today, Malzmuehle will be closed for renovations until sometime in August. So...did you make it in time or not?

 

We did! I don't have a lot of time right now as I'm entertaining my folks. I'll get something written up when I can.

 

Noooooooo!
Have a friend coming in July and that is always one of my favorite stops as it has the best Kölsch imo. ;(
pfaffen (best view on heumarkt if you stand outside) and päffgen (cool beer hall and better Kölsch) it is then...

 

OK, I'm going to do a bare-bones write up because it was a pretty bare-bones trip. Took the train up from HD to Köln and ended up with a train cabin full of bachelor/-ette parties. I got a Dinkel Acker CD Pils and my dad got a good story to tell his pals back home. We didn't get out from the Köln Hbf, instead opting to take the U5 to the Heumarkt and find Brauerei zur Malzmühle. My dad was saying that he didn't really want a big lunch, so I proudly ordered to Halve Hahns and two Kölsch for us as a light and quick meal. Well little did I know that my dad was not interested in beer (he is not a drinker, and he had his trip limit of exactly one a few days earlier), and also little did I know that he is "not really a cheese person". So I guess I ordered pretty poorly. Well after that semi-disaster, we left (I didn't buy any to take home) and walked along the river to St. Martins. From there we went to the Cathedral and then back into the Hbf and home.

My dad liked the cathedral at least.

 

Matt, your tour sounded nice. I suspect that you dad had a nice visit.

Cheers!

Jack