Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld

Sadly, club Underground is no longer for this world, having closed down this year despite being one of the city’s most prominent concert venues. And what a sad day that was for local music enthusiasts. However salvation is nigh, for Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld is gearing up as a worthy replacement – or at least a good alternative. Like Underground, Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld has a beergarden-style sitting area outside; another similarity, besides its packed event calendar, is its slightly convoluted interior. As the name suggests, this venue is right next to Ehrenfeld train station, but is more comfortable than its slightly industrial air would suggest. Comfy seats are placed around elevated platforms off to the side of the stage where bands are playing to save their lives (or just to get through the set, depending on their energy levels that day).

My favourite Ehrenfeld memory is a recent one. Rising stars of the local hip hop scene Trettmann have been around the block a few times, but these days they tell their stories aided by Autotune and modern beats. So far, Trettmann have performed in Cologne five times this year (including at the SummerJam festival just outside the city). And the audience still hasn’t tired of them, if the response to their last performance in Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld was anything to go by. That was definitely an evening to remember.