Right in the middle of the so-called Bermuda Triangle, Cologne's long-established gay district around Schaafenstrasse, Exile is one of the fixed addresses of the city's gay scene. Bar and club under one roof, with regular drag shows and DJ sets that let the programme swing between a relaxed warm-up and a full-blown party night. The room itself is compact and fills up quickly, which tends to lift the mood rather than crowd it out. The crowd is predominantly gay, the atmosphere easygoing rather than showy, a place to arrive rather than to perform. Anyone wanting to get to know Cologne's scene beyond the big clubs will find Exile a solid starting point for an evening in the Bermuda Triangle before the night carries on elsewhere.
Hotels near Exile Cologne
The star marks Exile Cologne. Tap the map for prices and availability.
Recent Events at this Venue
Nearby Locations
Exile
Park
ExCorner
EX-Corner
Die Mumu
IxBar
From the magazine
HPV Vaccination: Why Men and Queer People Should Get It Too
HPV vaccination is often seen as a women's topic, but it also protects men against throat, anal and penile cancer. Why the shot matters especially for gay and bisexual men, who pays for it and when it still makes sense.
Queer Bookshops and Cafés: The Community's Third Places
Queer bookshops, cafés and community centres were often the scene's first visible spaces. Why they came to be, what they still offer, and where the best-known ones stand.
The Disappearance of Lesbian Bars, and Where the Scene Survives
The US had roughly 200 lesbian bars in the 1980s; today there are barely 30. Permanent venues are closing worldwide, replaced increasingly by party collectives. Here's what's driving the decline, and how to find the scene now.