Cologne unleashed – cathedral meets fetish

For many people, Cologne is synonymous with carnival, Kölsch beer and the mighty cathedral. But if you take a look behind the façade of this jolly city, you soon realize that this is where one of the hottest, wildest and warmest hearts of the queer scene in Europe beats. Hardly any other German city lives and loves diversity as naturally as Cologne. This is not only evident in everyday life, but above all in the clubs, at street festivals and at the legendary fetish events, for which fans travel from all over the world. Cologne is not just tolerant – the city is queer, kinky and party-loving, and has been for decades. From Schaafenstraße to the banks of the Rhine, from quaint leather pubs to international fetish festivals: everyone will find their home here.

Festivals of pleasure - Cologne's major highlights of the year

CSD Cologne - Cologne Pride in July

When it’s Pride in Cologne, no stone is left unturned. For two weeks, the city lives in rainbow colors, and on the weekend of the parade at the latest, Cologne is transformed into a gigantic queer living room. Political speeches, information stands, concerts, drag shows and of course the big parties in the clubs and on the streets – life itself celebrates here. After the parade, anyone who wants to can wander through the city’s bars, clubs and darkrooms until Monday morning.
Info: colognepride.de/en/home

Fetish Pride Cologne (Whitsun weekend)

Cologne wouldn’t be Cologne if there wasn’t a version for the fetish community in addition to the “classic” Pride. Every year, Fetish Pride attracts men in leather, rubber, sportswear and uniforms to the city. Organized by Rheinfetisch e.V., probably the most important fetish community in NRW, the weekend offers parties, socials, dinners, trade fairs and plenty of opportunities to make international contacts. The association also organizes the election of Mr. Fetish NRW.
Info: rheinfetisch.de/en-gb

Bear Pride Cologne, end of November

Bears, little bears and their friends are currently meeting up in November for a big cuddle offensive. A week of bar tours, sauna meetings and parties are on the agenda – and anyone who thinks bears can’t party is very much mistaken.
Infos: bearpride.cologne

Carnival Cologne - the festive exception

Carnival is not a purely gay event, but the community has been making it its own for decades. Especially in Schaafenstraße or in bars such as ExCorner, Kinkz or Pullermanns, things really get going during the “fifth season”. Men in uniform, women in drag, lots of kinky carnivalists – boundaries are blurred here and the dress code is: anything goes, the more colorful the better.

Heavenue Cologne (queer Christmas market)

It’s back in a new location: more colorful and bigger! The Heavenue at the corner of Friesenplatz and Limburger Straße has a new 2000m2 area. The stage offers a colorful Christmas program every day. This is the place to meet up to watch, flirt, sway and have a few hot drinks afterwards.
Info: instagram.com/heavenuecologne

Hot regulars' tables - clubs & parties that stay

Pullermanns

An institution in the heart of the scene. Pullermanns is a bar, cruising location and party room all in one. Fetish parties are held here regularly, including the COLOURcode series by Rheinfetisch. The dress code varies – leather, rubber and sportswear are welcome, but sometimes things can be more casual. Info: pullermanns.de

ExCorner

Anyone walking along Schaafenstraße will almost automatically end up here. ExCorner is the classic meeting place before or after the club – open, colorful, uncomplicated. Whether in jeans or a harness: everyone clinks glasses with a Kölsch here.
Info: facebook.com/ExCorner

Kinkz

The name says it all: the stylish men-only bar is a hotspot for kinky boys and curious night owls. Here you’ll find latex, leather and plenty of lust – dress code: optional, fun: guaranteed.
Info: kinkz.wtf

Guyz Party

The legendary party series has long attracted an international audience. Formerly based in the Domhof, it now alternates between Club Volta, Artheater and Bootshaus. Anyone who parties here knows that nobody goes home without a sweaty shirt, harness or rubber pants.
Info: guyz-party.com

The 3B - The Bearded Bear Bar

New, cozy, bearded: the 3B is a meeting place for bears and friends – open to everyone who enjoys authentic evenings with a beard, beer and beats.
Info: the3b.cologne

Baustelle4U

The bar is one of the hippest locations for every man! Whether gay, young, old, fetish lover, sneaker enthusiast, bear or trans, every man is welcome at Baustelle4U.
Info: baustelle4u.de

MoG - Ministry of Gear

Hot fetish events such as Gear Rave, 2K, Xtreme and Soundwaves make MoG an institution. This is where electronic music meets pure passion. A must-attend event for gearheads!
Info: mogevents.com

Xtreme! Cologne

Since 2010, Xtreme! has traditionally heralded the start of the Cologne Pride weekend and attracts over 2,500 fetish fans from all over Europe to the legendary Essigfabrik. Stenger dress code: Leather, rubber, skin, army, uniform, sportswear or sneakers, streetwear must stay outside. The name says it all: extreme energy, extreme vibes, extreme night.
Info: xtreme-cgn.de

Gay saunas Cologne - relax before, in between or after

Bathhouse Babylon Cologne

Here you can relax after a long night. The bathhouse has been part of the community for more than 30 years and leaves nothing to be desired for sauna, wellness and cruising fans. It is open 365 days a year.
Info: babylon-cologne.de

Phoenix Sauna Cologne

Saunas are almost as legendary in Cologne as the bars. The Phoenix on Heumarkt is open 24/7 and not only offers a steam bath and whirlpool, but also regular themed parties, such as “Naked”, “Underwear” or “Sportswear”. Dress code? As the name suggests.
Info: koeln.phoenixsaunen.net

Event, party, sauna - always the right nose

Wherever you turn in Cologne’s “Bermuda Triangle”, you’ll find party, fun and hot lust. So it’s handy to have one of those little bottles in your bag that make encounters even more intense. The Poppers TO GO Kinky Monster Combo with necklace, for example, is ideal for a visit to the Kinkz. For those who prefer to be out and about as a puppy, the Paw Poppers 25 ml is the perfect companion for wild doggy nights. By the way: lederreiniger-online.de also delivers quickly and discreetly to Cologne.

Quick tips for the scene

  • Dress to express: Cologne is tolerant, but many parties are fetish-oriented. Leather, rubber, sportswear, military – everything has its place.
  • Timing is everything: book for Pride or Fetish Pride? Early! Hotels and Airbnbs are full months in advance.
  • Schaafenstraße is alive and kicking: bars like ExCorner, Iron, Exile and Die Mumu are classic warm-up spots.
  • Community spirit: Cologne thrives on “Jeföhl”. Anyone who is open, warm and curious is immediately welcomed – whether tourist, newcomer or old hand.

Cologne: From cathedral to darkroom

Cologne is a city of contrasts. During the day, hundreds of thousands make a pilgrimage to the cathedral; in the evening, others disappear into darkrooms, saunas and clubs. This is where carnival is celebrated with fetishes, where drag queens dance alongside leather men, where bankers in tailored suits clink glasses with partygoers in harnesses. Cologne is untamed, wild and warm at the same time. Anyone who has ever partied here knows that in the shadow of the cathedral pulsates a queer heart that never gets tired.