Rooftop Monkey Bar in Cologne

Monkey Bar: cocktails facing the cathedral on the 8th floor

A round hotel in the Friesenviertel

The 25hours Hotel The Circle has taken up residence in a listed circular building on the Im Klapperhof, west of the centre, a stone's throw from the Friesenplatz. The décor plays the retro-futuristic card. On the 8th and top floor, the Monkey Bar shares the level with the NENI restaurant; it welcomes Cologne locals and hotel guests alike.

Inside, there is a metal counter, a large fireplace suspended in the middle of the room, enveloping armchairs and picture windows along the whole façade. Outside, the terrace, furnished with brightly coloured woven chairs, looks straight at the cathedral's two spires and the rooftops of the centre. The afternoon is peaceful there; once night falls, the atmosphere becomes far livelier.

A well-travelled cocktail menu

The menu is split between highballs, reworked classics and house creations on a jungle theme: the Mad Monkey Mai Tai or the Watermelon Ape cost €15.50, the Pornstar Martini €16, the Aperol Spritz €12 and the non-alcoholic creations €13.50. Until 10.30pm, the NENI kitchen sends up something to nibble on: Caesar salad, cheeseburger, loaded sweet potato fries or Korean-style fried chicken bites. The neighbouring restaurant, with Israeli and Mediterranean flavours, serves lunch and dinner in a glazed room with the same view.

Practical information

The bar is open Sunday to Thursday from 5pm to 1am, Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 2am. No reservations: seats go to those who arrive first. On Friday and Saturday, entry is reserved for over-21s. No particular dress code is required. The Friesenplatz stop (lines 3, 4, 5, 12 and 15) is about 300 metres' walk away.