A small passageway between the row of buildings on Zülpicher Straße leads to you this little gem. Off Broadway is a really good cinema, but also much more.

First, the cinema: There are only two movie halls and both of them are rather small. If you’re looking for 3D-technology and the newest sound systems, you might not appreciate this place as much as someone who likes a more intimate, homey atmosphere for watching movies.

The movies at Off Broadway are mostly independent cinema and German movies, but they can also be French or anything – the choice of films is not dependent on whether a movie is a blockbuster or not, the choice is made according to quality. Most movies are shown in the original language with German subtitles, thus it is one of the few cinemas in Cologne that offers movies for non-German speakers.

Second, the cafe and beer garden: If you have enough time ahead of the movie, come earlier for a coffee or beer and find fellow movie lovers to talk to. This is what makes Off Broadway special: you spend the time waiting for the movie in a very nice environment. In summer, the pretty back yard offers tables, in winter, you can sit inside.

The coziest cinema I know. The only downside: They don’t have popcorn.