Cologne: anything open on Xmas day?

Boxing Day certainly, some places on Christmas Day too, probably. In common with most of the rest of Europe, the Germans celebrate Christmas on the evening of the 24th. Expect most places to be closed then.

No - that usually finishes before Christmas.

Possibly

Unlikely on Christmas Day, not sure about Boxing Day.

Yes, and on Christmas Day, too.

Oh well, I might be able to get a drink at the station, then... I'm sure there will be some dingy bars open on Xmas evening! (Or would I have to go over to Dusselforf?)

Bruce

Practically everywhere will close on Christmas Eve. I well remember being in the only open bar in Basel in Christams Eve 1988, with all the other ex-pats who would normally celebrate on the 25th. We were interviewed by Swiss national radio; they wanted to know why anyone would be out rather than at home celebrating Christmas!

There is a bar on Cologne Station which sells Koelsch on gravity dispense. It may be open, you never know.

Mike Roebuck a écrit :

The Beer Halls in the city centre and other places such as Päffgen do rely heavily on the tourist trade, so some, if not most of them are due to be opened then.

certainly closed on Dec. 26th (aka St. Stephanstag) as well, givent the strong catholic background of teh city.

Yup, public transport runs on public holidays, usually on the same timetables as on Sundays. DB Sunday timetables being very close to weekdays ones, ie. no big reduction in service.

Cheers !

Laurent

bruce phipps a écrit :

There ares some snacks and fast-food places in the station underpass, but no proper beer place. Try to get to Früh am Dom, two minutes on foot from the station* : if this one's closed, most of the rest will be. But I've got a feeling the beer places might actually stay open even on Dec. 24th, given the permanently bustling nightlife.

Cheers !

Laurent

• to get to Früh am Dom : get out of the station through the front door, take the steps top the Dom (cathedral), go around the front, to the Roncalli Square (yup, John XXIII's spirit's not dead there...), and cross it along its right-hand edge. Früh is on a small passage from teh corner at far right-hand corner of the square. Can't miss it.

Further to this, I have a little more information.

snip

Päffgen closes on the 23rd for Christmas, it appears. I'm not sure when it re-opens. Apparently, there's plenty open right over the rest of Christma though, so you shouldn't die of thirst (nor should I, if I decide to copy your plan).

Yes, so opportunities to pop up the line to Düsseldorf as well.

Cheers

Mike