SAY WHAT?!: RUDOLFPLATZ

Noteable Metro Stations

Rudolfplatz – Lines 1, 7, 12, 15

Friesenplatz - 3, 4, 5, 12, 15

Moltkestrasse – Lines 1, 7

Rudolfplatz is situated just outside of the town centre, just before student region, Lindenthal, and features an iconic archway on its square. There are several metro lines that run through Rudolfplatz (Linien 1, 7, 12, 15), and with similarly busy metro stations, Friesenplatz and Neumarkt, all within walking distance, this is likely to be an area that is regularly frequented by anyone visiting Cologne. There is plenty to do here. The agreeable tree-lined Hohenzollenring that separates it from Friesenplatz is littered with cafes, restaurants and games arcades. My personal favourite cafe in the area is nestled unimposingly between Rudolfplatz and Moltkestrasse, on the left hand side en route to Lindenthal. The reason for all this detail is that I cannot for the life of me remember the name of it, and its façade is so non-descript that even Google Maps does not help. It is worth searching out though as it is often open until gone 3 in the morning. It is a great place to wind down after an evening out or discovering that your tram is going to be delayed by forty minutes. The decoration is a little ridiculous-modern-art heavy, but interesting to look at and talk about, nonetheless.

left-hand photo by neurosengarten

Champs American Sports Bar & Restaurant

Rudolfplatz – Lines 1, 7, 12, 15

If you like sports and burgers, then this is the place for you. The food is excellent as well as reasonably priced, the decor is charming and, though the bar is large, replicates the look of a small-town American diner, without being too overbearing. There are also an impressive amount of television screens available on which to view sports, and most are independently controlled, meaning that you can request a match if the bar is not too busy (i.e you don't conflict with an existing customer's requests). This is a place in Germany where you can watch a regular Aston Villa premier league match whilst everyone else watches the rugby.

You may need to remind the staff of your request a couple of times, though, as the bar is usually very busy, and informal viewing requests, especially if unpopular, may be forgotten by the exhausted waiting staff.

Nachtflug

Friesenplatz - 3, 4, 5, 12, 15

This is one of the only traditional night clubs that I sampled during my year-long stay. The music was predictable and, mostly, crap , but the atmosphere was great. One of my evenings there was interrupted by a fire-breathing act ! This is something that you don't often see in a night club for the obvious Health & Safety risk reasons, though I fully appreciated their carelessness, even if the lightly roasted hairs on my arms did not. It is worth paying attention to what you drink here, though, as, to speed up bar service, the staff here do not take money. They stamp your entry card and you pay on the door as you leave. This can prove expensive if you don't pay attention.

Rex Am Ring

Friesenplatz - 3, 4, 5, 12, 15

Rex Am Ring is a wonderful independent cinema near Friesenplatz station on Hohenzollenring that offers considerable concessions to students and shows an array of foreign films, as well as the usual blockbusters, albeit often dubbed into German, rather than subtitled.

Stadtgarten

Friesenplatz – Lines 3, 4, 5, 12, 15

Hans-Böckler Platz – Lines 3, 4, 5

Christophstrasse/Mediapark – Lines 12, 15

As well as being a lovely patch of greenery, the Stadtgarten also houses a cafe and intimate concert venue. Entry is, again, inexpensive and the acts are very diverse. I, myself, saw Malian musician Issa Bagayogo and his band there. Small as it is, I would really recommend it as a venue. It rarely gets crowded and you really do feel like part of what is happening on stage. The concert I witnessed also included the added extra of a live interview with the band for local radio.

Gamescom Festival

Rudolfplatz – Lines 1, 7, 12, 15

Friesenplatz - 3, 4, 5, 12, 15

This little interactive games and entertainment street festival is mostly situated along the length of Hohenzollenring, with stages set up at Friesenplatz and Rudolfplatz either end for live music performances. There are mobile gaming vehicles set up, a singstar bus, multiple fast food vendors and you will witness beatbox competitions and, of course, lots of live music. It takes place over a couple of days in August and is well worth even a casual visit. After all, entry is free – so what do you have to lose ?