Lance Carson
Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, is a cultural hub with a vibrant nightlife. From raves at Odonien, Arttheater, or Hein Gaul to bar-hopping at Seiberts, Spirits, or Papa Joe's Jazz Lokal, there's something for everyone. The Corkonian Irish Pub and Little Link are also popular spots. Cologne's famous Carnival, a city-wide fancy dress party, is a must-visit. The city boasts over 30 museums, including the Chocolate Museum, and countless galleries. Explore the historic Old Town, take a boat tour, or enjoy panoramic views from the Kölner Cable Car. Indulge in traditional cuisine and the famous Kölsch beer. With its charming neighbourhoods, Cologne offers a unique blend of old traditions and modern influences for a memorable Saturday night out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nightlife | 70 clubs, countless bars, restaurants, and pubs |
| Pubs | Seiberts, Spirits, Corkonian Irish Pub |
| Restaurants | Peter's Brauhaus, Le Moissonnier, Taverne Alekos |
| Festivals | Carnival, Christmas Markets |
| Boat Tours | Rhine River Cruise, Harbour Boat Tour |
| Museums | Farina Fragrance Museum, Schokoladenmuseum, Museum Ludwig, Romano-Germanic Museum |
| Art | Richter-Fenster, Cologne Cathedral, Botanical Garden |
| Relaxation | Claudius Therme, Neptunbad |
| Transport | Cable Car |
What You'll Learn
Visit the Chocolate Museum
If you're looking for something to do on a Saturday night in Cologne, why not visit the Chocolate Museum? Here's everything you need to know about this sweet attraction.
A Little History
The Chocolate Museum in Cologne, or Schokoladenmuseum in German, was inaugurated on 31 October 1993 by Hans Imhoff. It received its current name in 2017 after Lindt & Sprüngli joined the original partners in 2006. It was previously known as the Imhoff Chocolate Museum or the Imhoff-Stollwerck Chocolate Museum.
What to Expect
The museum offers a comprehensive look at the history and making of chocolate. On over 4,000 square metres, you'll find exhibits detailing the cultural history of cocoa and chocolate, from ancient times to the present day. You'll learn about how cocoa beans are transformed into chocolate, with a focus on modern chocolate-making processes.
The museum is divided into several sections, each offering a unique perspective on chocolate. Here's a breakdown:
- The World of Cocoa and Chocolate: This section offers a detailed look at the history of cocoa, with exhibits spanning 5,000 years of cultivation. You'll see a diverse collection of historic items, including an 18th-century chocolate fountain containing 200 kilograms of chocolate!
- The Greenhouse and Chocolate Factory: Wander through a walk-through greenhouse and witness the chocolate-making process up close in the glass-walled production facility and chocolate workshop. See how chocolate is crafted through both mechanised and manual processes.
- Exhibits and Collections: Admire the famous baroque collection of porcelain and silver, as well as exhibits from pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, showcasing the cultural significance of chocolate in ancient civilisations.
- Interactive Activities: Get hands-on with various interactive displays and games throughout the museum. You can even create your own customised chocolate bar with your choice of ingredients!
- The Chocolate Shop and Café: Satisfy your sweet tooth at the museum's shop and café, where you can purchase a variety of chocolates, including Lindt chocolates, and indulge in chocolate delicacies, fondue, and more while enjoying stunning views of the Rhine.
Practical Information
The Chocolate Museum is located at Am Schokoladenmuseum 1A, 50678 Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is usually open from 10 am to 6 pm, and tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket counter. The museum offers guided tours, and there are special tickets available, such as combo tickets that include attractions like the nearby Ferris wheel.
So, if you're a chocolate lover or simply looking for a unique cultural experience, a visit to the Chocolate Museum in Cologne is sure to be a treat!
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Take a Rhine River cruise
If you're looking for something to do on a Saturday night in Cologne, why not try a Rhine River cruise? The Rhine River flows right through the heart of Cologne, and taking a cruise along it is one of the best ways to see the city. You'll glide past some of Cologne's top attractions, including the magnificent, twin-spired Cologne Cathedral—Germany's most visited tourist attraction—and the Hohenzollern Bridge, whose railings are crowded with padlocks left by couples as symbols of their everlasting love.
As you cruise along the Rhine, you'll also pass by the medieval Old Town and the Chocolate Museum, an impressive contemporary building that dominates the newly renovated Rheinauhafen harbour area. You can learn about the city's 2,000-year history through an informative audio guide, which is available in multiple languages. And, of course, no river cruise would be complete without the option to purchase a drink or two from the onboard bar—why not try the local Koelsch beer?
There are various Rhine River cruises to choose from, depending on your preferences. You can opt for a shorter, 1-hour cruise during the daytime or a longer, 2-hour evening cruise to see the city's sights illuminated against the night sky. If you're feeling festive, there's even a winter cruise option with live music. Whichever you choose, a Rhine River cruise is a great way to spend a Saturday night in Cologne.
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Explore the Botanical Garden
Cologne's Botanical Garden is a lush, serene space filled with plants from across the globe. With around 12,000 plant species spread across 5.5 hectares, it's a great place to spend a Saturday night. Here's a guide to help you explore this green oasis:
Getting There
The Botanical Garden is located in the north of the city, about a 30-minute walk from the old city centre. You can also take a hop-on-hop-off tour bus or use public transport. Tram lines 18 and 16 stop nearby at Zoo/Flora and Kinderkrankenhaus, respectively.
Opening Hours and Admission
The gardens are open daily from 8 am until dusk, and admission is free. The plant houses have different opening hours: October to March, 10 am-4 pm, and April to September, 10 am-6 pm.
History
The Botanical Garden, known as "The Flora," has a rich history. It was founded in 1863 as a private venture with a winter garden, a glass roof, and a restaurant modelled after London's Crystal Palace. In 1920, it united with the adjacent botanical garden when it was transferred to the local authorities.
What to See and Do
The garden boasts a wide variety of themed areas, including:
- An Alpinum
- An arboretum
- A Rhine farm garden
- An iris garden
- A lily garden
- A sensory garden
- A magnolia patch
- A hemp garden
- An old-growth green tunnel
- A palm tree alley
- An English landscape garden
- An Italian Renaissance garden
- A French Baroque garden
You can stroll along shaded arcades, past waterfalls, ponds, springs, and fountains. Discover the camellia collection in the subtropical greenhouse, with over 500 plants representing 400 species, including original Japanese varieties. Some plants here are over 100 years old!
Don't miss the dahlia patch, with over 300 varieties, and the French parterre, a stunning display of nearly 30,000 summer flowers from all continents. The alpine garden is also a must-see, with 2,000 species of mountain-loving plants, including some protected species.
Take a break at the garden café, "Dank Augusta," which offers refreshments and picnic treats during the warmer months.
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Enjoy Cologne's nightlife
Cologne is a city with a buzzing nightlife. With more than 70 clubs, countless bars, restaurants, and pubs, there is no shortage of things to do on a Saturday night. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Bars and Clubs
If you're looking for a place to dance the night away, Odonien, Arttheater, and Hein Gaul are known for their raves. For a more relaxed evening, Seiberts - Classic Bar and Liquid Kitchen is a great option, featuring one of the world's most renowned bartenders. Spirits Bar is another excellent choice, serving inventive drinks in a snazzy and welcoming setting.
Pubs
Cologne has the highest number of pubs per capita in Germany, so you'll have plenty of options to choose from. For a traditional Irish pub experience, head to The Corkonian Irish Pub, or try L-Bar if you're in the mood for a game of billiards.
Live Music
Papa Joe's Jazz Lokal is an authentic-style bar located in the city centre, where you can enjoy live music, cabaret, piano playing, and vaudeville alongside your food and drinks.
Boat Tours
A boat tour is a fantastic way to experience the city from a different perspective. You can glide along the Rhine River, taking in the illuminated architecture of the Old Town and iconic landmarks such as the Cologne Cathedral and the Hohenzollern Bridge.
Carnival
If you're visiting in November, the Cologne Carnival Party is a must-attend event. It's a city-wide fancy-dress party fuelled by beer and good spirits, with no closing times for pubs and bars, allowing you to enjoy the city's nightlife to the fullest.
Ghost Tours
For a more eerie experience, join a ghost tour. While most are conducted in German, it's worth joining one if language isn't a barrier, as they offer an authentic Cologne experience.
Food and Drink
Cologne is known for its traditional local cuisine and thriving pub culture. Be sure to try the famous Kölsch beer, typically served in small glasses to keep it cold. Fruh am Dom and Lommerzheim are excellent choices for hearty, traditional dishes. For something sweet, visit the Chocolate Museum, where you can learn about the history of chocolate and even make your own chocolate bar.
Whether you're looking to dance the night away, enjoy live music, or indulge in delicious food and drinks, Cologne has something for everyone on a Saturday night.
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Visit the Farina Fragrance Museum
If you're looking for something to do in Cologne on a Saturday night, why not visit the Farina Fragrance Museum? This unique museum is situated in the heart of the city, opposite Cologne City Hall, and takes you on a journey through the world of perfumes.
The museum is located in a historic building that dates back to 1709, making it the eldest fragrance factory still standing. Over several floors, you will discover the complex art of perfumery and the evolution of fragrance production methods throughout history. You will see various technical devices used in the past, such as distillation apparatus, as well as pictures and documents that trace the development of the industry. The museum also showcases the impact of copyright issues, with a display of imitations and forgeries of Eau de Cologne that appeared on the market.
The Farina Fragrance Museum offers a guided tour that takes you through three centuries of fragrance history, starting from the Rococo era, the time of the perfumer Johann Maria Farina. You will encounter flacons, paintings, and art objects that testify to the fascinating story of Eau de Cologne. Reservations are required for the tour, and tickets can be conveniently purchased online. It is important to note that the museum does not allow backpacks, bags, or purses inside, but a free wardrobe with lockers is available near the cashier.
The Farina Fragrance Museum provides a captivating insight into the world of perfumes and is a great option for those seeking a cultural experience during their Saturday night in Cologne. It is easily accessible and adds a touch of fragrance to your evening plans.
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Frequently asked questions
Fruh am Dom is a traditional restaurant with a medieval vibe, serving hearty, honest dishes. Lommerzheim, or Lommi, is another local favourite, serving traditional Koteletten, a pork dish with fries or potato salad.
The Cologne Cathedral is Germany's most visited tourist attraction. It is the second-tallest church in Germany and the third-tallest in the world. The Love Lock Bridge, or Hohenzollern Bridge, is another famous landmark, where couples attach padlocks to the railings to symbolise their love.
Cologne is known for its thriving pub culture, so a pub crawl is a great way to experience the city's nightlife. You could also take a stroll through the Old Town and admire the illuminated architecture, or join a ghost tour.
The Chocolate Museum is a fun and delicious experience, where you can learn about the history of chocolate and even make your own chocolate bar. The Museum Ludwig is another must-visit, with one of the biggest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world, including a large collection of Picasso's work.
Seiberts is one of Cologne's most popular bars, featuring one of the world's most renowned bartenders. The bar has the feel of a grand hotel, with high ceilings, chandeliers, and original Chesterfield sofas. Spirits Bar is another great option, serving inventive drinks in a snazzy, welcoming setting.
