The Grid Bar — Restaurant in Cologne

This bar was quite a nice experience. It didn’t look like much from the outside and you had to ring to get inside, this in turn led to the bar not being overly crowded compared to other places in Cologne on a Saturday night.

We were promptly seated and got a cocktail menu that visually looked great and had us at multiple cocktails thinking „ok interesting!“ - not just the standard cocktails. They do the standard cocktails as well, just don’t have them listed on the menu - just ask for them.

While our orders were taken quite fast the service to actually get the cocktails to the table was rather slow. We waited at least 20min on each order, which felt a bit long to mix three drinks, especially with three bar keepers.

The drinks were both visually and taste-wise amazing. But they were small for a 12-15€ drink. Some felt like literally 5 sips and the drink is nearly finished already. Combined with the long waiting time we spend more time waiting than enjoying the (admittedly great) cocktails.

Ambient wise the bar was great, they had a DJ and everything felt right. They even had an outdoor area which looks pretty promising. They had heat lamps so it was still OK to sit outside even in November. The restrooms were nice and clean, no complaints here.

Overall a rate this for four stars. It’s nice if you want a relaxing night out, but know that you’ll wait and also will spend quite a bit of money. You have to decide if that is...

Atmosphere: 7/10 In Cologne, The Grid Bar feels more like a cocktail lounge than a traditional cocktail bar. The space is huge, with a long and wide layout that creates a somewhat cold, lounge-style atmosphere. The back bar looks stylish and fits the interior, though it’s not particularly impressive. Seating is plentiful — both inside, at the bar counter, and outdoors. While the scale is impressive, the sheer size means it’s harder for staff to keep track of every guest during peak hours, which slightly impacts attentiveness. Music volume is pleasant.

Drinks: 9/10 Recommendation: Tough Guys Don’t Dance The menu is simple but well thought-out, with each drink including flavor and strength indicators. The selection is good, and drinks are served in quality glassware with neat presentation and simple garnishes. Flavors are well balanced and enjoyable.

Service: 8/10 Water served on arrival. The team is friendly and professional, though service can lose a bit of focus when the venue is at full capacity due to its large footprint. Prices are slightly above average for Cologne. Reservations are...

I was in Cologne for a few days on a work trip and stumbled upon this absolute gem of a bar after grabbing dinner next door. What a find! The vibe is cozy with a cool, speakeasy feel—definitely the kind of place you can lose track of time (and maybe a few too many drinks 😜).

Service? Spot. On. Shoutout to Nicky, the life of the bar! His storytelling was an unexpected highlight—made the night so much fun, I almost forgot I was in town for work.

Cocktails? Well, the one recommended to me wasn’t quite my vibe, but hey, recommendations can be hit or miss. The rest of the drinks ordered were on point—these guys are clearly pro-level mixologists.

All in all, this place is a must-visit when you're in Cologne. Great drinks, amazing service, and a killer...