A comprehensive list of established indoor – outdoor live event venues, from small to extra large capacity.

Artheater

Blue Shell

Brückenforum

Bürgerhaus Stollwerck

Carlswerk Victoria

Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld

Club Volta

Die Kantine

E-Werk

Essig Fabrik

Gebaude 9

Gloria Theatre

Groove Bar

Harmonie

Helios 37

Kubana

Kult41

Kulturkirch

Kunstrasen

Lanxess Arena

Limes

Live Music Hall

Luxor

MTC Club

Namenlos

Palladium

Papa Joe’s Jazz Bar

Rhein Sieg Forum

Rhein Energie Stadion

RPZ Bonn

Session Bonn

Sonic Ballroom

Stadthalle Troisdorf

Tanzbrunnen

Telekom Forum

Valhalla Metal Pub

WDR Funkhaus

Yuca Club 

Artheater in Ehrenfeld is a versatile arts venue that offers a mix of theater, dance club, and concert space. It hosts lively club nights with diverse sounds and also features open stages, concerts, and theater productions. The venue’s ‘Kunst gegen Bares’ event showcases artists from various fields. With separate floors, a bar area, and an outdoor space, Artheater provides both energetic party vibes and quiet retreats.

Capacity: 400

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Blue Shell is a renowned live music venue in Cologne, known for its cozy interior and convivial atmosphere. The club has a legendary status and has been a hub for the city’s creative community for over 40 years. Situated in the heart of Cologne’s nightlife district, it hosts regular concerts and is often used as a production set by film teams. With its blue exterior and intimate setting, Blue Shell offers an up-close music experience while also providing enough space to enjoy anonymously if desired.

Capacity: 200

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In December 1988, the Brückenforum, Beuel – Bonn opened its doors with a large fireworks display and has been the center for culture and events of the city of Bonn ever since.

Capacity:1,260

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Largest town hall in Cologne and socio-cultural center in the heart of Cologne’s southern city. Exhibition, film, cabaret, concert, reading, conference, dance, theater, workshop

Capacity: 600 (unseated)

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In Cologne-Mülheim, the Carlswerk Victoria combines a fascinating industrial past with a creative present. Today, Carlswerk Victoria is a dynamic event location. The Carlswerk Victoria and Club Volta halls, which are connected by a charming beer garden, offer a wide range of events. From concerts to corporate events or private parties: these premises, just a few steps away from public transport, offer the ideal setting. Variable and combinable, they meet the diverse requirements of a wide range of events.

Capacity:1,600

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Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld, located in Cologne, is a versatile venue that offers a diverse range of entertainment. It hosts live concerts featuring alternate and world music, comedy shows, theater performances, and DJ parties. The club’s unique setting under the railway arches adds to its urban and attractive flair, making it an ideal space for intimate club shows. Additionally, the former train station has been transformed into a vibrant nightclub with a cozy beer garden for patrons to enjoy.

Capacity: 550

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In Cologne-Mülheim, the Carlswerk Victoria combines a fascinating industrial past with a creative present. Today, Carlswerk Victoria is a dynamic event location. The Carlswerk Victoria and Club Volta halls, which are connected by a charming beer garden, offer a wide range of events. From concerts to corporate events or private parties: these premises, just a few steps away from public transport, offer the ideal setting. Variable and combinable, they meet the diverse requirements of a wide range of events.

Capacity: 450

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Die Kantine is a vibrant performing arts venue in Cologne that has been entertaining visitors for over 20 years. The industrial charm and lively atmosphere make it the perfect setting for unforgettable evenings, attracting music lovers, partygoers, and culture enthusiasts alike. The venue hosts a variety of events including music shows by indie, punk, and rock bands, club nights with hip DJs, and comedy shows.

Capacity: 900 Yard Club: 500

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E-Werk is a spacious former industrial building in Cologne, now repurposed as a vibrant venue for concerts, fairs, and conventions. With a capacity of 2,000 people, it stands as the sister venue to the Palladium just across the street. Originally an electricity plant purchased by Cologne band BAP in 1989, this heritage-protected location has been meticulously renovated into a versatile event space that hosts hundreds of events annually.

Capacity: 1,500

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Essigfabrik is a live music venue located in Cologne, Germany. It is known for its industrial charm, and offers concerts of various genres, including rock, metal, and indie. The venue can get really hot in the summer and at the end of concerts in winter it feels like you are inside a rainforest. Otherwise, Essigfabrik is a nice venue that never feels too far from the stage.

Capacity: 1,200

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Gebäude 9 is a music hall and bar located in a former factory on the right bank of the Rhine in Cologne. Despite facing potential demolition, it was saved due to widespread support from fans. The venue has retained its industrial charm even after refurbishment and continues to host international indie-rock and dance gigs, as well as festivals. It is known for its cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and excellent sound quality.

Capacity: 400

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Gloria-Theater is a versatile venue in central Cologne with a rich history dating back to the 1950s. Originally a cinema and theatre, it now hosts an array of events including musical performances, stand-up comedy, meetings, parties, and more. The venue’s grand foyer and retro decor points back to its origins while creating a unique atmosphere for visitors.

Capacity: 950

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Groove Bar in Porz area of Cologne is a continuously improving live venue with a mixture of cover and original bands of various genres, as well as an occasional party scene. Concerts: Friday-Saturday.

Capacity: 300

Program/Tickets: venue web page or at the door

Helios 37 is a trendy club and bar located in the Ehrenfeld neighborhood of Cologne. The venue features both indoor and outdoor areas, with regular live music and DJ events. Connected to the adjacent Stapel Bar, guests can seamlessly transition between the two spaces while enjoying cocktails and socializing in the outside garden. Housed in a former warehouse with high ceilings and minimalist decor, Helios 37 boasts a dynamic light system and a 360-degree projector that illuminates the dancefloor.

Capacity: 1,000

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The Kubana Live Club in Siegburg is a popular concert hall and restaurant. Weekly concerts by national and international bands and artists, as well as parties and other events are held here.

Capacity: roughly 400 people (standing)

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KULT41 , Bonn stands out as a small but well established cultural center. Concerts, exhibitions, theatre and other activities are held several times a week. The cultural center works as a non-profit organization and it’s ran by volunteers. The concert ticket prices are capped at 10 Euros. There are more than 100 local and international bands performing per year of all kind of levels and a large variety of music.

Capacity: roughly 120 (standing)

Tickets: only cash at the door.

Kulturkirche Ost, located in the Cologne Nippes quarter, is a Protestant church dating back to 1889. It stands out as one of the few examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the city. Beyond its religious functions, it has been repurposed as a cultural venue hosting various events throughout the year. The space features natural stone floors, exposed concrete, formwork and wooden liturgical places.

Capacity: 250

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Kunstrasen is a seasonal outdoor concert venue in Bonn.

Capacity: 10.000

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The Lanxess Arena, a colossal indoor venue in Cologne,  one of Germany’s major music venues. It can accommodate up to 20,000 people.  As of 2019, Lanxess Arena was the highest-attended arena worldwide, with 699,924 tickets sold.

Capacity: 20,000

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Limes is a popular pub and cafe located in Mulheim, on the right side of the Rhein. It has a punk rock vibe and offers great live music. The bar has fair prices, an authentic and laid-back crowd, and hosts cool events. With a variety of beers available, it’s known for its loud concerts that require earplugs.

Capacity: 100

Live Music Hall is a popular concert venue and nightclub located in Ehrenfeld. Since its establishment in 1990, it has hosted live shows by both German and international artists from various genres. The main ground floor can accommodate up to 1,200 people, while the smaller upstairs room provides a stage for emerging talents. In addition to live performances, the venue hosts themed parties catering to diverse musical tastes, including nineties pop songs, classic rock anthems, hardcore and death metal nights.

Capacity: 1,200 – 1,800

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The Luxor has been a permanent institution in Cologne’s nightlife for many years, or rather a few decades, and a music club known far beyond Cologne’s city limits.
Rock, pop, alternative and indie, but also house and electronic dance music are preferred musical styles in one of the most iconic locations in Cologne.

Capacity: 350

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MTC Club is a music club institution located in Cologne, near Barbarossaplatz and S-Bahn station Sud. The venue offers a cozy basement with excellent sound quality, making it an enjoyable place for live music. Visitors have praised the well-organized carnival party with a drag show and highlighted the friendly bar team. Additionally, the club is known for hosting concerts and musical acts in a comfortable setting with reasonable drink prices.

Capacity: 300

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Upbeat pub in Bonn with daily drink deals hosting live bands & showing football matches on TV.

Capacity: 100

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Palladium in Mulheim is a versatile venue with industrial-style halls and an elegant foyer, perfect for hosting cultural events, conferences, trade fairs, gala events, business conventions, and concerts. The main hall can accommodate up to 4,000 people and has seen performances from various music artists. While some visitors have mentioned challenges with the view due to the venue’s structure, others have praised the atmosphere and sound quality during concerts.

Capacity: 4,000

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Papa Joe’s Jazz Bar, established in 1979, captures the essence of New Orleans in Cologne’s Old Town. The venue exudes a speakeasy vibe with its vintage decor and live jazz and blues performances every night. This hidden gem has been a staple of the city’s music scene for over 50 years, offering an authentic jazz experience. Visitors can enjoy a great selection of beers and cocktails while immersing themselves in the lively atmosphere.

Capacity: 130

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Large soccer (football) arena with occasional outdoor concerts.

Capacity: 50,000 (41.825 seated, 8.175 unseated)

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The RHEIN SIEG FORUM in Siegburg with over 3.000 sqm, offers the largest event space between Cologne and Bonn.

Capacity: 1,200 seated-2,600 unseated

The RPZ Bonn is the creative center for the cultural scene of the city of Bonn.
The unique combination of rehearsal rooms, affordable offices for young start-up companies and a high-quality event hall offers musicians and artists the ideal setting to express themselves.

Capacity: 120

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Sonic Ballroom in Cologne’s Ehrenfeld quarter is a lively punk rock bar known for its gritty atmosphere and live music acts. The venue hosts undiscovered bands from around the world four nights a week, offering an authentic punk and rockabilly experience. With graffiti-covered walls and loud music, it’s a haven for fans of punk and rock ‘n’ roll. Visitors can also enjoy the beer garden and participate in Karaoke Till Death.

Capacity: 250. stage area: 20

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Small music club with a small stage.

Capacity: 100

A multipurpose event hall completed in 2014, operated by the City of Troisdorf good for concerts, conferences, seminars, trade fairs, theatre, cabaret.

Capacity: 1,500

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Tanzbrunnen is a park situated in Cologne on the banks of the Rhine, offering both outdoor and indoor stages for concerts and theater performances. It also features a beach club. On select days from early April to mid-November, the Tanzbrunnen hosts a lively fish market with an array of seafood, as well as cheese, wine, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and pastries.

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Open air: 12,500

Theatre: 1,000

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The technical equipment of the multipurpose event center Telekom Forum in Bonn is particularly impressive. Here you can experience state-of-the-art technology live and look forward to excellent acoustics, impressive lighting effects and technical support at the highest level. But not only tech-savvy guests get their money’s worth here. The Telekom Forum Bonn also impresses with its excellent gastronomy. Conferences, seminars and trade fairs take place here on a regular basis.

Capacity: 2,000

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A real metal dive bar in Cologne. The dim lit small stage regularly hosts metal bands, usually three bands in a single 3 hours concert. The sound is well mixed.

Capacity: around 50

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The Funkhaus am Wallrafplatz is the heart of the WDR building. Here, production is not only for the radio, the Funkhaus has up to 250 events every year, from classical to hip-hop

Capacity: 650

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The night club Yuca Club in Ehrenfeld is a great place to go and listen to music. The drinks are affordable and the atmosphere is great. There can be up to 250 people in the club at any one time, which makes it a great place to meet friends.

Capacity: 250