Explore Cologne's Gay Scene: Best Places To Stay

Cologne, Germany, is a vibrant and welcoming city for LGBTQ+ travellers. The city boasts a thriving gay district, known as the Bermuda Triangle, centred around Rudolfplatz, as well as a lively gay community. Cologne is famous for its active participation in LGBTQ+ events, including the largest Pride celebration in Germany and a variety of festivals celebrating diversity and love.

When it comes to accommodation, LGBTQ+ travellers are spoiled for choice in Cologne. The city offers a range of LGBTQ+-friendly options, from luxury hotels near the iconic Cologne Cathedral to cozy stays in the heart of the city. These include gay-owned boutique hotels, popular chain hotels flying the Pride flag, and stylish budget hostels.

This introduction aims to provide a glimpse into Cologne's LGBTQ+-friendly offerings, from its vibrant gay scene to its inclusive accommodation options. Whether you're seeking luxury or coziness, Cologne has something for every LGBTQ+ traveller to feel welcomed and celebrated.

Gay-friendly hotels in Cologne

Cologne is a haven for LGBTQ+ travellers, with thriving gay districts, a lively gay community, and active participation in LGBTQ+ events. The city offers a range of LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations, from luxury hotels near the Cologne Cathedral to cosy stays in the heart of the city. Here are some of the top gay-friendly hotels to consider when visiting Cologne:

Steigenberger Hotel Köln

Located in the heart of the Rudolfplatz gay district, this hotel provides easy access to gay bars, nightclubs, saunas, shops, and restaurants. The hotel offers spacious guest rooms, a restaurant with an open kitchen, a spa, and free WiFi. It is also within walking distance of the Cologne Cathedral.

Novum Hotel Leonet Koln Altstadt

This hotel is just a two-minute walk from popular gay bars like ExCorner and Iron. It is also close to the Schildergasse shopping street, Rudolfplatz underground station, and a variety of restaurants and cafes. The large guest rooms feature soundproofing, free WiFi, cable TV, and private bathrooms. The hotel also has a sauna.

Hopper Hotel St. Josef

The stylish Hopper Hotel is just a short walk from gay saunas and bars around Rudolfplatz. It offers modern en suite guest rooms, a gym, a solarium, and a sauna. The onsite restaurant has a courtyard terrace and serves international cuisine and wines.

Hotel Lyskirchen

Located in the heart of Cologne's Old Town, Hotel Lyskirchen is just a couple of minutes' walk from the gay bars, saunas, and cruise clubs in Heumarkt. The recently renovated guest rooms feature flat-screen Sky TV, desks, and free WiFi. The hotel also boasts an indoor heated pool, a modern gym, and a sauna.

Art'otel Cologne

Art'otel enjoys a fabulous location on the bank of the Rhine River, just a short stroll from the Cathedral and the famous Chocolate Museum. The hotel features a rooftop terrace, sauna, library, and artwork by Korean-born artist SEO. The guest rooms are spacious and well-equipped, and the restaurant serves Asian fusion cuisine. It is also just a short walk from the gay bars in the Old Town.

Maritim Hotel

Maritim Hotel is perfectly located for exploring Cologne's gay scene, with easy access to the Rhine River, the promenade, and popular gay venues like Club 21 and Station 2B. The air-conditioned rooms feature free WiFi, satellite TV, desks, and minibars. The hotel also offers an indoor pool, gym, and onsite spa.

NH Cologne

This mid-range hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the Old Town, close to the Rhine River, the Chocolate Museum, and a metro station. The modern, air-conditioned rooms include TV and free high-speed WiFi. Guests also have access to an onsite gym, sauna, and spa.

Motel One Cologne Waidmarkt Hotel

This designer hotel is an excellent-value option for budget travellers. It is just a short walk from the gay bars and cruise clubs in the Old Town. The modern and functional guest rooms feature workstations, flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, and rain showers.

Hotel Domstern

Hotel Domstern is a gay-managed hotel located near the Cathedral and the central station. It offers 16 non-smoking en suite rooms with free WiFi, satellite TV, minibars, and safes. It is within walking distance of the gay nightlife and sights in the Old Town, and provides a nice breakfast buffet.

Gay nightlife in Cologne

Cologne is a city with a thriving LGBTQ+ scene, with many gay-friendly bars, clubs, restaurants, hotels, and saunas. The city is known for its annual gay pride, and the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade, which is one of the biggest and most high-profile in all of Europe. The city is vying with Berlin to become the gay capital of Germany, and for good reason.

Where to Go

Most of Cologne's gay bars are located in two areas: Schaafenstraße, in the west of the city, and Heumarkt-Mathiasstrasse, in the east. Schaafenstraße, known as the 'Bermuda Triangle', is a hub of LGBTQ+ venues, with bars, cafes, restaurants, and clubs all within walking distance of each other. Heumarkt-Mathiasstrasse, on the other side of the Rhine, is the older, more traditional scene, with a more mature crowd.

Bars and Clubs

Exile on Main Street is one of the busiest and brightest bars on the main gay strip in the Bermuda Triangle. It features DJs on the weekends, two bars, a dance floor, and a seating area. Die Mumu is a popular gay bar that attracts a young, mostly male crowd. It has a mixed lesbian and gay crowd, and the music is ultra-camp, playing a mix of German folk-pop and Eurovision favourites. ExCorner is a long-running, popular gay bar that plays pop classics and house music, with karaoke and daily happy hours. It gets packed on the weekends, with crowds spilling out onto the street. IRON Cocktail Lounge is a gay-popular lounge bar with a mixed crowd, serving a great selection of cocktails and drinks. Amadeus is a vibrant, pink-hued gay bar known for its lively atmosphere, with a mix of drinks, café bites, and entertaining drag shows. Barcelon Colonia is a friendly gay bar in the Old Town, with a touch of Mediterranean influence, serving a range of wine, beer, cocktails, and tapas. The outdoor area is great for people-watching. Baustelle 4U is a popular gay bar in the heart of the Old Town, with a party-centric atmosphere. The DJs play a mix of pop, rock, and throwback hits, and the staff are super chatty and welcoming. Casino-Eck is a traditional German pub in the heart of the Old Town, with a relaxed setting during the week and an upbeat vibe on the weekends. The clientele is mixed, but it's gay-popular, and the staff are very welcoming. Zum Pitter is a friendly gay bar that has long been a part of the gay scene in Cologne, with an outdoor terrace that's perfect for the summer months. It attracts a mixed crowd, and drag queens take to the stage on weekends for fantastic cabaret shows. Kattwinkel Bar & Cafe was voted 'Best Bar of the Year' by a local gay magazine. It's a fun, relaxed hangout spot with a great atmosphere, delicious food, and a sunny outdoor terrace with over 80 seats.

Hotels

Hotels close to Rudolfplatz (the Bermuda Triangle) are better for those hitting the scene every night, whereas hotels closer to the Dom (the main cathedral) and the central train station are better located for the major sights. Steigenberger Hotel Köln is located in the heart of the Rudolfplatz gay district, with the city's sights, shops, and restaurants all within walking distance. The hotel has a restaurant with an open kitchen, a spa, and free WiFi. Novum Hotel Leonet Koln Altstadt is just two minutes' walk from all the gay bars, with soundproofed rooms, free WiFi, cable TV, and private bathrooms. There is a 24-hour reception, and a breakfast buffet is served daily. Hopper Hotel St. Josef is located just a few steps from gay sauna Phoenix Sauna and Pansauna, and a couple of minutes' walk from gay bars around Rudolfplatz. The stylish hotel has modern, en suite rooms, a gym, solarium, and sauna, and an onsite restaurant with a courtyard terrace. Hotel Lyskirchen has a great location in the heart of the Old Town, near the Rhine Promenade, and just a couple of minutes' walk from the gay bars, saunas, and cruise clubs in Heumarkt. The recently renovated rooms feature flat-screen Sky TV, a desk, and free WiFi. There is also a large indoor heated pool, a modern gym, and a sauna. art'otel Cologne has a fabulous location on the bank of the Rhine River, a 20-minute stroll from the Cathedral and just steps from the famous Chocolate Museum. The hotel has a great rooftop terrace, sauna, library, and showcases artwork by Korean-born artist SEO. Maritim Hotel is in a perfect location for exploring Cologne and its gay scene, near the Rhine River, the promenade, and a short walk from Heumarkt Station, Club 21, Station 2B, and Vulkanus Sauna. The suites include a living area and river or cathedral views. The hotel also has an indoor pool, gym, and an onsite spa with a massage service. NH Cologne is a popular mid-range hotel with gay travellers, conveniently located in the heart of the Old Town, close to the Rhine River, the famous Chocolate Museum, and a metro station The modern, air-conditioned rooms include TV, free high-speed WiFi, and many offer great city views. Guests have free access to the onsite gym, sauna, and spa. Motel One Cologne Waidmarkt Hotel is an excellent-value designer hotel for budget travellers, in a great location for exploring Cologne on foot, just a short walk from the gay bars and gay cruise clubs in the Old Town. The modern and functional rooms feature a workstation, flat-screen TV, free WiFi, and a rain shower. Excelsior Hotel Ernst is located right across from the iconic Cathedral and remains one of the best 5-star hotels in Cologne, offering a combination of traditional comforts and modern services. The hotel has a choice of classically styled Superior rooms and more contemporary Deluxe rooms. Guests have free use of the onsite gym and two saunas daily. Of particular note is the hotel's restaurant Taku, which has won a prestigious Michelin star for its East Asian cuisine.

Gay saunas and bathhouses in Cologne

Cologne is known for its vibrant and exciting gay scene, and its bathhouses are no exception. The city has a well-established gay sauna scene, offering plenty of opportunities to meet new people and have fun.

One of the most popular gay saunas in the city is Badehaus Babylon Cologne. Located in the heart of Cologne, it has been serving the LGBTQ+ community for over 25 years and is known for its large outdoor pool and courtyard. The sauna features a large cruising area, a dry sauna, a massage service, and the biggest steam bath in Cologne. It also offers an extensive menu of freshly prepared food and drinks, and discounts for young guys (under 25) and birthdays.

Another popular option is Phoenix Sauna, located in the heart of the city. It features a dry sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and various play areas, as well as a bar and lounge area, making it a great place to socialise.

For those looking for a more traditional experience, Sauna Vulcanus (formerly 'Vulcano') is Cologne's oldest gay sauna and is popular with mature men and their admirers. It features a bar, dry sauna, and a dark room. Every Saturday from 10 pm, Vulcanus offers a night sauna, so you can spend the night without having to pay for a hotel room.

Other notable mentions include Deck 5, a gay cruise club located in the city centre with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and Kinkz - Men Only!, a gay cruise club catering to men with a fetish for leather, rubber, and other kinks.

LGBTQ+ events in Cologne

Cologne is a city that actively practices tolerance, cosmopolitanism, and peaceful coexistence. The city offers an abundance of LGBTQ+ events, cafes, bars, clubs, and other gathering places. Here are some notable LGBTQ+ events in Cologne:

Cologne Carnival Festival

While not exclusively a gay event, the over-the-top extravagance and skimpy costumes of the Cologne Carnival Festival have made it a queer-favorite event. This festival takes place in February or March and features LGBT performances, street parades, and fabulous costume parties across the city's gay bars and clubs.

Christopher Street Day / Cologne Pride

Cologne Pride, also known as Christopher Street Day, is one of the largest Pride celebrations in Europe. It takes place over two weeks in July and includes a wide range of events such as parties, demonstrations, and a street festival. The celebrations have a political theme, advocating for human rights, tolerance, and the peaceful coexistence of people of every orientation.

CSD-Straßenfest

The CSD-Straßenfest is a three-day street festival that takes place annually during Pride in Cologne. It is held on the Heumarkt, one of the city's original gayborhoods.

Queerfilmfestival

The Queerfilmfestival is a celebration of queer films, showcasing the best non-heteronormative films from around the globe. This festival takes place in September across 12 cities, including Cologne.

Run of Colours

The Run of Colours is an annual 5K charity run held in September, with proceeds going to HIV and AIDS organizations. This event is open to everyone but requires advance registration.

Bear Pride Cologne

Bear Pride Cologne is a five-day event hosted by Bartmänner Köln, the oldest bear association in the world. It includes sauna parties, club nights, and the election of Mr.Bear Germany.

Havenue Cologne

Havenue Cologne is a gay Christmas market, offering a romantic and festive experience for the LGBTQ+ community. It features specialty mulled wines, artisan crafts, and LGBT performances with a touch of kitsch.

Gay beaches in Cologne

Cologne is a gay-friendly city with a thriving LGBTQ+ community and a range of gay-friendly hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, and saunas. The city is known for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and cultural diversity, including its famous Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

While there is no specific mention of gay beaches in Cologne, the city offers a vibrant gay scene and is known for its inclusivity and diversity. The Bermuda Triangle, located in the Altstadt-Süd neighborhood, is a popular destination for the city's gay community, with a variety of LGBTQ+ establishments, including bars, clubs, and drag shows. The city also hosts several LGBTQ+ events throughout the year, such as the annual gay pride parade, Carnival, and Heavenue Gay Christmas market.

In addition to its gay nightlife and cultural offerings, Cologne also provides opportunities for relaxation and socialization at gay saunas and bathhouses. The city's liberal attitudes and open-mindedness make it a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ travellers seeking a combination of urban exploration and beach leisure.

Overall, Cologne offers a range of options for LGBTQ+ travellers, from nightlife and entertainment to more low-key activities and natural attractions.

Frequently asked questions