Ona Mor

Don’t be fooled by the unimposing exterior! Draw back the heavy curtain and you’ll find yourself in one of Cologne’s best cocktail bars. The service – superb and structured – just adds to the splendour of the place. The staff take your coat for you, accompany you to your table and bring you water and truffle popcorn along with the menu.

Paul Thompson, the current holder of the Deutsche Barkeeper Union’s “Germany’s best barkeeper” title, is the man behind the bar at Ona Mor. His creations are carefully crafted mixtures of flavours. I go for the “Kirri Billi” – a taste explosion combining London Dry Gin, fresh ginger, sage, pink grapefruit juice, fresh lemon and apricot jam.

Ona Mor has a tasteful, old-school look with dim lighting, sparkling crystal glasses, bulbous glass carafes, apothecary-style accessories, comfy sofas and fake crocodile-skin bar stools. Giving the place a new, modern twist are the “menu trees” – metal objects placed on each table, with drinks menus attached to their delicate “branches”. Guests can use these mini-postcards to help them make their choice and then take them away as a souvenir. Incidentally, at Ona Mor they always like you to reserve, especially at the weekend.