stuff to do in.cologne
DE
© © 1971markus · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tünnes und Schäl

4.5(357)· Google

Traditional Cologne brewhouse at Alter Markt, named after the beloved puppet duo from the Hänneschen Theatre — hearty local food and Kölsch on tap.

City centreOld townKölschCologne cuisineCologne carnivalHistoryCity historyLandmarkComedy

"Tünnes und Schäl" is a traditional Cologne brewhouse bearing the names of two iconic characters from the city's Hänneschen Puppet Theatre.

to Wikipedia ↗to Google Maps ↗to the website ↗

Source: Wikipedia

At a Glance

Type
Traditional Cologne brewhouse (Brauhaus) with restaurant
Location
Cologne, Altstadt-Nord (city centre), on Alter Markt
Cuisine
Hearty, traditional Cologne dishes
Drinks
Four beers freshly tapped, plus bottled beer
Named after
Tünnes and Schäl from the Hänneschen Puppet Theatre
Did you know?

The character of Schäl was created in the 1850s out of personal rivalry: theater founder Johann Christoph Winters was furious at Franz Andreas Millowitsch — an ancestor of the famous Willy Millowitsch — who ran a competing puppet theater on the opposite side of the Rhine, and the cunning, underhanded Schäl is said to embody that grudge.

The Two Characters

Tünnes is the Rhineland form of Anton — a bulbous-nosed, good-natured fellow with a certain rustic cunning. Schäl is slimmer, always dressed in a tailcoat, and known for being sly and scheming. His name refers to squinting and also means "bad" or "wrong" in the Cologne dialect — a deliberate double meaning.

© Superbass · CC BY-SA 3.0

Origins of the Duo

Theatre founder Johann Christoph Winters introduced Tünnes to his ensemble in 1803, adding Schäl in the 1850s. According to folklore experts, Schäl was inspired by Winters' rivalry with Franz Andreas Millowitsch — an ancestor of popular actor Willy Millowitsch — who ran a competing puppet theatre on the "Schäl Sick" (the wrong side of the Rhine).

© © 1971markus · CC BY-SA 4.0

Cologne Icons

Though fictional, many Cologne residents regard the pair as true city originals, as they embody recognisable local character types. Beyond the puppet stage, countless "Tünnes and Schäl" jokes circulate to this day. The Cologne public transport authority (KVG) even uses "Tünnes" as a radio call sign.

© Geolina163 · CC BY-SA 4.0

In the City

A carved depiction of the duo can be found on the pointed arch of the Cologne Cathedral's side portal facing the main station. Sculptor Wolfgang Wallner created a four-metre nail sculpture of the pair in 1950 for the reconstruction of the Gürzenich festival hall, where it still stands today.

Timeline

  1. 1803
    Tünnes introduced as a character in Johann Christoph Winters' Hänneschen Theatre
  2. 1850er
    Character of Schäl added to the ensemble, inspired by rivalry with Millowitsch
  3. 1920er
    Gerhard Ebeler and Karl Simons perform as Tünnes and Schäl in carnival
  4. 1930
    Willi Ostermann publishes the humorous weekly paper 'Tünnes und Schäl'
  5. 1931
    Weekly paper 'Tünnes und Schäl' discontinued
  6. 1950
    Wolfgang Wallner creates a 4-metre figure group for the reconstruction of the Gürzenich
  7. 1993
    Stunksitzung displays crucifix with 'Tünnes' inscription; confiscated, proceedings dismissed

Instagram

View on Instagram @tuennes.und.schael

You might also like

340 mBrauhaus Früh am Dom© Raimond Spekking · CC BY-SA 4.0

Brauhaus Früh am Dom

4.3(23,015)· Google

A traditional brewpub right opposite the cathedral – Cologne hospitality since 1904, a medieval vaulted cellar and a lounge with cathedral views.

220 mBrauhaus Sion© Gordito1869 · CC BY 3.0

Brauhaus Sion

4.0(7,688)· Google

Historic Cologne brewery tavern with roots going back to 1318 — home of Sion Kölsch and a stop on the Brewery Trail.

10 m

Bützchen

Rhenish word for a closed-lip peck on the cheek — freely and cheerfully exchanged during Cologne Carnival as a lighthearted, no-strings-attached gesture of affection.

Comments

  • Loading comments…

Sources & links

Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-06-27

Suggest an edit Add a place