Underground (Club)
From 1988 to 2017 the Underground in Cologne-Ehrenfeld was a fixture for heavy metal, rock and punk – today a school stands on the site.
since 1988
holds approx. 800 people
For nearly three decades the Underground was one of Cologne-Ehrenfeld's well-known venues for concerts and parties. Set on a former factory site near the old Helios AG, it combined a bar, two halls and a summer beer garden under the operators' motto: "We deliver Rock 'n' Roll".
Source: Wikipedia
At a Glance
- Years active
- 1988 to 15 September 2017 (29 years)
- Location
- Cologne-Ehrenfeld, former factory site near Helios AG
- Areas
- bar, two halls, summer beer garden
- Musical focus
- heavy metal, rock and punk, later rock 'n' roll
- Motto
- "We deliver Rock 'n' Roll"
- Capacity
- up to 800 guests
- Today
- demolished, replaced by the Heliosschule
Age comparison
Age compared with other places in Cologne.
The Site and Its Neighbours
The Underground grew up on a former industrial area around the Helios AG. Until the turn of the millennium it also housed a launderette. The same grounds were home to a self-service garage with several lifts for vehicle work and a tattoo studio – a colourful mix typical of Ehrenfeld's organically grown quarters.
Concerts and Rockpalast
The two halls were used above all at weekends for parties and concerts, with a clear emphasis on hard guitar sounds. West German broadcaster WDR recorded several concerts at the Underground and aired them on the programme Rockpalast. In total the venue held around 800 guests – 400 in the club and 400 in the bar, plus a smaller club area.
Filming Location
The Underground also served television as a backdrop: individual scenes of the WDR-produced films "Tatort: Bombenstimmung" (1997) and "Schimanski: Tödliche Liebe" (2000) are set in the club and were filmed there.
The End
On 15 September 2017 the Underground closed after 29 years with a final concert. The building was then demolished to make way for new premises of the Heliosschule. The city of Cologne granted the operators a permit to hold events at the nearby DQE-Halle until January 2019.
Gallery
Map
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Address
Vogelsanger Straße 200
50823 Köln
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Sources & links
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-08-21
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