Exile on Main Street Bars & Clubs in Cologne – GayOut Guide
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Exile on Main Street

Google (200) 3.3
Tripadvisor (6) 3.2
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What reviewers say

Visitors often praise the friendly bartenders and the fun atmosphere with a good mix of music and events. However, a common complaint is about the sticky floor and the smoke machine being too strong, making it difficult to breathe at times. Some also mention issues with outdated music selections and poor service at the bar.

65
/ 100
GayOut Score
G3.3 🦉3.2
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Address
61A Schaafenstraße, Cologne
📞
Phone
+49 221 67770578
🌐
Website
www.exile-cologne.de

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About this place Exile on Main Street

Exile on Main Street is a gay bar on Schaafenstraße, the main strip of Cologne's Rudolfplatz gay quarter. It has two bar counters, so service keeps moving even when it's packed. DJs play on weekends, when it stays open until 06:00. It opens Wednesday and Thursday from 19:00 until 03:00 and Friday and Saturday from 21:00. It's closed Sunday to Tuesday. Late Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest, as the rest of Schaafenstraße empties into it. Google reviews are mixed (3.3), mostly about crowds and door policy rather than the bar itself.

Opening Hours

Open Now · closes 03:00
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 19:00-03:00
Thursday 19:00-03:00
Friday 21:00-06:00
Saturday 21:00-06:00
Sunday Closed

Features

Gay Drag Queens Happy Hour Karaoke Live music Casual Dancing Area Smoking Area Party Club Wine Bar Lounge area Bar (alcohol) Mixed LGBTQ+ Drag scene Dance Touristy Local favorite Pop DJ sets Dance club Quiz nights Themed parties No dress code Outdoor smoking only Drag shows

Insider Tips

Community Reviews

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Google Reviews

Verified by Google
3.3
★★★★★
200 reviews

Based on 200 Google reviews.

Eddy M.
Eddy M. Jun 2026
★★★★★

Unfortunately, right from the opening, the floor was disgustingly sticky and smelled like the mop hadn't been changed in months. The smoke machine is nice for parties, but it had been used so much that you couldn't see or breathe properly at times. It's also a real shame that there was a DJ who just played music without actually using the mixing console, and when he did mix something, it was very poorly done and a complete jumble of songs. It's a pity because the equipment was certainly more than adequate for a good DJ.

Gg
Gg Jun 2026
★★★★★

Unfortunately, we were not satisfied with our visit last night. The DJ's music selection seemed poorly prepared and outdated. Furthermore, the floor had an unpleasant smell of an old mop, which detracted from the overall experience. On a positive note, we would like to commend the bartender, who was very friendly and attentive.

F D Z
F D Z Jun 2026
★★★★★

The music seems to consist of the same playlist of old songs every night. A bit more current music would be nice, and not just pop – a little house music would definitely do the place good. The floor was already extremely sticky at the beginning of the evening, when there were hardly any guests. This doesn't exactly give a well-maintained impression. It's a shame, because the venue actually has potential. With a better music selection and a bit more attention to cleanliness, it could be so much better.

Melanie Mayer
Melanie Mayer Jun 2026
★★★★★

The music was really bad and completely outdated. The floor was so sticky that it was almost impossible to dance. On top of that, the smoke machine was way too strong; at times it was hard to breathe properly.

George Gogov
George Gogov Jun 2026
★★★★★
Jui Yang Hong
Jui Yang Hong May 2026
★★★★★

It’s a fun bar; a local friend brought me here. They have a bingo night on Wednesdays. Hanging out with locals is the best way to experience the culture.

Roberto Mancuso
Roberto Mancuso May 2026
★★★★★

Always full of good cheer and people. The service was super dedicated and friendly. Thanks to the whole team at Schaafenstrasse!

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Last updated on 5 November 2026

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