Papa Joe's Jazz Bar — Attraction in Cologne

We were really looking forward to visiting Papa Joe’s in Cologne again after 8 years. Last time we came, it was a great experience—good music, good atmosphere—so we expected the same this time. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a big disappointment.

We arrived early, around 7pm, and waited outside specifically to get the seats we wanted. We were among the first to enter and sat down, ready for a nice evening of jazz. The music, to be fair, was excellent—exactly what we hoped for. But sadly, the rest of the experience didn’t match up.

One of the staff members, a blonde waitress, was incredibly rude. At one point, she came over and started yelling at us to give up our seats for someone else, with no proper explanation. It felt completely unnecessary and unprofessional. The way she spoke to us was more like something you’d expect in a low-end sports bar, not a jazz pub that presents itself as a more refined venue.

We had been there for over three hours, consistently ordering beers and cocktails—so we were definitely contributing as paying customers. And the prices are not cheap, especially for Cologne, so we expected to be treated with at least a bit of respect.

In the end, the way we were spoken to and treated just ruined the evening. I ended up taking the last round of drinks we’d just ordered back to the bar and asked for a refund, and we left feeling disappointed and let down.

It’s a shame because the music was lovely, and we came back with high hopes based on our first visit. But unfortunately, the attitude of that staff member completely changed how we feel about the place. We won’t...

An encapsulating cave of jazz in the heart of Cologne (Köln)

Love it, like it or not really - the sound of jazz and the sticky mood of this lovely "cave" (yes, cave, because it feels like your sweet little music home) will make you stay and enjoy this family-like musical entertainment bar for sure!

Just as I happened to talk to the singer lady a lot (she was so kind to welcome me for some "band's insides" talks in the pauses), it turned out that the band was not really practicing together - rather they just play watching and breathing with each other, creating excellent notes and so a really fine jazz music for all ears. Yes, yes, lots of improvisations as you definitely feel the need for it in jazz, and they know it, and they just give it to your soul warmly.

The bar itself is a hidden treasure in Cologne (Köln) with its bright coloured neon lights and uncountable pieces of photos of jazz historical musicians and their unforgettable moments.

Extra fancy unique decorations like moving cigar-smoking jazzy heads, turning and lightning trumpets as well as best selection drinks grab you out of the city and take you to a new world somewhere high above!

Watch out! You may never want to leave this world!

Personally, congratulations to the family owning and running this bar, so to the jazz players who play for so many years as they can't even remember when they started!

Thank you guys for the best memories in...

We were drawn in to Papa Joe's by the live jazz music which proved to be very entertaining, especially on the second night where a female singer gave it everything. I found her very entertaining and I would give 4-5 stars for the atmosphere. It's a place that's fitting for all ages, young and old (although it is a bit "rough and ready" and not for people who like it posh). Now for the reason why I'm only giving one star. I met an older Irish couple who had just arrived that day and wanted to try out the bar. The man went up and ordered two vodkas with sprite. He asked if he could have it in a long glass. They were charged €8.50 for each of the vodkas...and wait for this... 8x a splash of sprite , 4 per glass to fill up the long glass at a whopping €2 each. (you can tell it was a splash if it took four to fill up the glass!!!) That meant they paid €33 for two vodkas with sprite!!!! They came back to our table, shocked at the prices but couldn't speak German so I went up presuming it was only a mistake and was told by two different members of staff that it was correct. I just really regret that I didn't ask to speak to management. They were two lovely people visiting Cologne for the first time but certainly didn't go away with any notion of coming back to that bar again and neither will I. That was just daylight robbery and an ansolute disgrace in...