By
Matt Mathrani
Markus & Hans-Jürgen of Hands, Cologne
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You know you've reached the city when you sight the towering cathedral (or Dom, as it's called). Cologne (or Köln) boasts a raucous gay populace that liberally imbibes Kölsch, a
local alcoholic brew that's vouchsafed as being healthy!
Christopher Street Day Cologne, or CSD as it's commonly known, is held in just about every major city in Germany. But this gay pride event takes on giant proportions
in Cologne. This year's Cologne Pride is July 2-4, and includes cultural events, discussions, forums, street parties, and dance events.
Near the Heumarkt tram stop, Checkpoint
Cologne (Pipinstrasse 7) is a queer knickknack store that serves as a sort-of community center of sorts and offers the latest info
about whom, what, and where.
Lodgings
Gästehaus Köln (Pleilstrasse 43, entrance on Kettengasse; +49-221-257-0950) is an ideal choice given its location on a decidedly gay street in the Rudolfplatz area. Five
clean, comfortable rooms are at hand. Note that check-in is by appointment.
Hotel Ariane (Hohe Pforte 18-21; +49-221-23-6033) is in the thick of the other gay area around the Heumarkt area. The no-frills room are clean and comfortable. A
hearty breakfast buffet is part of the deal.
Nightlife
As mentioned, there are two distinct pockets of gay activity: the ones splattered around Rudolfplatz and those strewn around the Heumarkt area, closer to the Dom/Central
station. Stiefelknecht (Pipinstrasse 9), a late-night Levi/leather bar, has sex rooms upstairs complete with slings.
Zille (Pipinstrasse 5), a few steps away, is a neighborhood hangout.
Quo Vadis (Vor Strasse Martin 8-10) is a cafe and bistro that promotes itself as "an antique English bar with matching antique furniture." Their outdoor seating area is a definite plus.
Hands (Mathiasstrasse 22) is renown for fist-fucking parties every first Monday, "Leather and Law" every fifth Monday as well as golden-shower parties, SM parties, and such,
all updated on their site.
Deck 5 (Mathiasstrasse 5) is the most outrageous fetish bar around. Expect to be perturbed by shocking acts!
The bar Pitter (Alter Markt 58) is tiny, but boasts a large outdoors terrace, ideal for people watching, especially the passing breeder boys that cast furtive glances.
Cox (Mühlenbach 53) is
the bar for bears and men into them. The big bear paw over the door is a sure giveaway as to the large clientele.
A leather and denim bar, Zipp's (Hohe Pforte 13-17) is located right next to Hotel Ariane and is well-received.
Verquer (Heumarkt 46), a bar with an outdoor terrace, is yet
another leather/jeans place in the neighborhood.
Teddy Treff (Stephanstrasse 2) calls itself "an American-style bar" while across from it,
Chains (Stephanstrasse 4) cashes in on its fetish
and leather leanings.
In the Rudolfplatz area, The Midnight
Sun (Richard Wagner Strasse 25), a bar
cum cruising lounge, is the latest attraction spread out on two floors. The darkrooms in the lower
level of this modern facility are much bigger than the bar area and afford much physical pleasantry.
Brennerei Weiss (Hahnenstrasse 22) and
Bürzel (Martinstrasse 32) are the quintessential gay diners. You'll probably chance upon everybody you've ever cruised in Cologne
at either one of the two.
Dimenti (Hahnenstrasse 16) is a generic bar/café that shares the same management as Cafe Schön. At
Grunder's (Kettengasse 2), the crowd is chic and mixed, both gay
and straight. Gloria (Apostelstrasse 11) is also a much-visited cafe, with a dance club in its rear.
Clip (Marsilstein 29) is a moderate-sized bar with a dance floor, unique to the
neighborhood. Maxbar (Am Rinkenpfuhl 51) is a new cocktail place.
Marsil (Schaafenstrasse 27) is tiny but usually packed with a preppy crowd.
Ex Corner (Schaafenstrasse 57-59) happens to
be a cheerful yet cruisy bar drawing a mainly 25-plus crowd. Check their marvelous website www.excorner.de for specials during the week as well as tips on gay Cologne. The other bars in
what is locally referred to as "Bermuda Triangle" include
Park (Mauritiuswall 84), Schampanja (Mauritiuswall 41), and
Café Schön (Schaafenstrasse 51). A bar and cafe, Schön thrives
on its zaniness and is "young boy heaven." There are two more poofter places in the immediate
vicinity-- Iron (Schaafenstrasse 45), an American-style cocktail bar, and
Kini Bar and Restaurant (Balduinstrasse 10-14), rendering the area ultra gay.
At Bar Flo (Friesenwall 24) the sassy staff adds to the bar's peculiar charm.
Era (Friesenwall 26), a friendly cafe/bar across the street, is big on service (open 10am through
1am), has wholesome fare, and is inexpensive to boot.
Several one-night parties with unique flavors (Latin, ice-cream, etc.) are hosted in town Wednesdays through Sundays by
Pink Triangle (Mittelstrasse 12-14). In what is called
Baba Rosa Platz, you'll also find Final
Destination (Luxumberger Strasse 60), sister club to Chains, functioning on Fridays and Saturdays.
Shops and more
Buchladen Zeus (Kettengasse 18-20) is Cologne's premier gay bookstore, with no clear name on the shop front. Books, info, magazines, and some novelties are at hand.
Leather and rubber outlets are a many. DOME (Händelstrasse 27) aims to fulfill erotic dreams with their leather/latex/steel gear, uniforms, T-shirts, fetish and bondage
paraphernalia and toys. Corium (Augustinerstrasse 6), opposite the tram stop Heumarkt, is a cozy leather-and-latex boutique with a range of gay novelties to spruce up one's sex life. Off-the-rack
and custom-tailored items are sold at this truly polite store, with an outside sign that urges you to "dream in leather."
Man (Mathiasstrasse 9) also complements Cologne's
leder scene.
M8-Wear (Pipinstrasse 3) and Village
Store (Pipinstrasse 7) are the local gay boutiques.
Of the five gay saunas in Cologne, Badehaus am Römertum (Friesenstrasse 23-25) is rated among the best in the Europe. The elegant institution has an outdoor pool
that attracts beauties from all over the continent-- a must-do in Cologne.
Other bathhouses include Vulcano Saunabad (Marienplatz 3-5), Der Faun (Händelstrasse 31),
Club 30 (Mühlenbach 30), and
Phoenix (Kettengasse 22 and Richard-Wagner Strasse 12 ).
Minutes from the Central Station, Club Valentino (Altenberger Strasse 13) is a "house of boys" with two-legged tourist attractions.
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