Theatres
18 places in Cologne
Bühne der Kulturen
An intercultural theatre in Ehrenfeld (1983–2017), grown out of the Turkish Arkadaş Theater – no longer active today.
Cologne Opera
The city's opera house on Offenbachplatz – during the protracted renovation of the Riphahn building, playing at the interim Staatenhaus in Deutz.
Cologne Philharmonic Hall
A renowned concert hall beneath the Museum Ludwig by the Rhine – one of Germany's most important stages for classical music and jazz.
Comedia Theater
An independent children's and youth theatre in the Südstadt – a hub for young audiences with its own productions, dance, cabaret and comedy.
D.a.S. Theater
An independent Cologne theatre since 1990 – awarded for inclusive work and known for its dementia play ‘Du bist meine Mutter'.
Gloria-Theater
A storied event venue near Neumarkt – once a cinema, today a concert hall, comedy stage and party location all in one.
Hänneschen-Theater
Cologne's storied rod-puppet theatre on the Eisenmarkt – home of Tünnes and Schäl and Germany's largest puppet theatre.
Kumede
A Cologne theatre group that since 1947 has staged farces exclusively in the Kölsch dialect – usually sold out, run by the Alt-Köln heritage society.
Musical Dome
A striking blue musical tent on Breslauer Platz near the cathedral – a fixed stage for major musical productions and shows.
Schauspiel Köln
The city's main drama theatre – playing at its interim home, the Depot in Cologne-Mülheim, while the Offenbachplatz house is renovated.
Senftöpfchen
A storied cabaret and variety theatre in the old town – since 1959 a well-known talent forge of German cabaret.
Studiobühne Köln
An independent, experimental theatre of the University of Cologne – a stage for contemporary and research-led theatre.
Theater am Dom
A popular boulevard theatre in the city centre – known since the 1960s for comedies featuring prominent actors.
Theater der Keller
Cologne's oldest private theatre, with its own drama school – a fixture of the city's independent theatre scene.
Theater im Bauturm
An independent playhouse in the Belgian Quarter since 1983 – modern takes on classics and original productions on Aachener Straße.
Theater Tiefrot
A private chamber theatre near Ebertplatz – a socially engaged literary theatre with classics, contemporary plays and guest performances.
Urania Theater
A theatre in Ehrenfeld in a former cinema – a stage for independent theatre, guest performances and culture in the lively quarter.
