Brauhaus Gaststätte Schreckenskammer

1/23/2008 10:34:47 AM, wednesday, january 23, 2008 [ Updated monday, august 18, 2008 ]
The only Kölsch brewpub I attended during busy time. I was here on some middle-of-the-week evening and place was quite packed with mostly old men, and also some old couples. No-one under the age of about 45-50 besides me and my friends. Surprisingly for this kind of German crowd the place wasn’t very smoky. The waiter looked a bit grumpy when he told me there are no english menus, but was friendly and helpful later that evening. I had some baked potatoes and my friends had some sausages on bread and some other small German cuisine dishes. Everyone was quite happy with the food and the service, and above all with the very good Kölsch! I also bought a glass and a bottle at a ridicioulous price (I think I paid about 2 Euros for a 0.5L bottle and a glass). Overall a great place!

6/9/2007 5:06:23 PM, saturday, june 09, 2007
"The horror house" would be the meaning of the name. A bit out of the way in a less touristy neighborhod. Smaller pub as well, more of a restaurant. Got served in English as they did not find my German up to their level. The kölsch may well be the driest and hoppiest in the city, a fine example by any measure. One of my favourite stop in the city.

1/14/2007 4:13:41 AM, sunday, january 14, 2007
I managed to get there about 15 minutes before they closed on Saturday, but the Kölsch was probably the best I had during my visit. Make sure you try this place and their beer! Though bare in mind they are closed on Sundays and close early on Saturdays.

7/27/2006 7:17:07 AM, thursday, july 27, 2006 [ Updated saturday, july 29, 2006 ]
From our hostel in the teeming rain my wife and I ventured out for what turned out to be the best Kölsch bräuhaus in Köln. This place just had everything in the right proportion. The Kobes were on the ball 150%, the food was well and truly undervalued as it was delicious and substantial and the Kölsch vom fass was the best I tasted in the city. From the partitioned eating zones to the untreated wooden floors covered in layers of sand this place was lively, atmospheric and the patrons were all blood loyal to their beer and as friendly as one could ever ask one to be. Worth a visit, even if you’re not a fan of Kölsch and beer in small glasses.

6/21/2006 4:27:06 PM, wednesday, june 21, 2006 [ Updated wednesday, june 28, 2006 ]
The best food in Koln, in my opinion, just barely beating out Gaststätte Max Stark. The Schweineschnitzel mit Pfeffersaus was incredibly delicious, something I looked for elsewhere over the next three days but could not find. If you’re in Koln you owe it to yourself to visit this place, it easily had the best Kolsch in town. The bar area off to the side was loaded with locals, old men mostly, drinking it up - the restuarant was also composed mostly of locals. We got a bit tipsy after so much Kolsch, and with the waiter taking so long with the bill, we were stacking coasters into elaborate coaster-houses... the dude was not amused, but at least we got our check right after that. Still, hands down the best place in Koln during my 2-day stay. You can also buy a glass and coaster for €1. Footnote: I don’t know how to give a high "selection" score to a brewery with one beer. So they all get a 5/15.

6/18/2006 6:41:45 AM, sunday, june 18, 2006 [ Updated sunday, june 18, 2006 ]
Close to the Dom and train station but totally tourist free, opposite direction from the Altstadt. Decent beer and food, had dinner here. Menu is in German. Regular selection of food, and the obligitory henn-halve on the menu. Obviously just one beer. Outdoor dining area on the sidewalk in front. Found the waiter to speak perfect english, contrary to what chuma noted, so it must be hit or miss on who serves you. Met koelschtrinker for a face-face trade here. Worthy of a visit, especially if you want a quiet place away from the packed tourist area. Better choice than Fruh, if you are tight on time. The only place in Germany that I have seen without a TV on during the World Cup, which might have been part of the reason why it was quiet when we were there.

3/17/2006 7:02:26 AM, friday, march 17, 2006
Probably serving the least known Kölsch named Schreckenskammer (literal translation: Chamber of Horrors). Probably getting the least tourists of all Kölsch pubs. Basic food menu, but tasty local dishes. Very low prices. The floor is covered with saw dust, like it used to be in all brew pubs. Don’t expect them to speak/understand much English. A good location to experience the real thing during Kölsch carnival.

7/8/2004 10:45:20 AM, thursday, july 08, 2004
Nice out-of-the-way Brauhaus about 7 minutes walk North-Northwest of the Dom. German menu, but didn’t get to sample. Decent Kölsch .