Anyone who believes that a Büdchen is just a shop for beer and cigarettes has never been in Cologne. Because here the Büdchen is an institution. It is a meeting point, pastoral care, weather station and city whisper headquarters at the same time.
Cologne – There are hardly any other city in any other city, and yet everyone feels different. In Cologne, the Büdchen is not only part of the street scene, but a attitude to life. Stories are told here, friendships are made and crises solved with a Kölsch. A Büdchen is more than the sum of its beer boxes and chewing gum. Anyone who doesn’t understand that did not understand Cologne. The top 7 of the special Büdchen moments in Cologne, compiled By Yeswe.koeln:
1. Order a Kölsch without saying a word
A look is often enough in the Büdchen – and Zack, the Kölsch is there. No words necessary, no big theater. Man behind the counter knows his people, or at least immediately recognizes who is not yet entirely awake. Communication at eye level, all of Kölsch: subtle and direct at the same time, mostly thirsty.
2. Spontaneous friendships with completely strangers
You come for a drink – and stay for the conversation. At the Büdchen it starts with an eye contact, then a relaxed saying follows, and before you know it, you are in the middle of a heated discussion about the last FC matchday or the best kebab in Ehrenfeld. Cologne – no one is alone here.
3. Get cigarettes – and consolation right away
A visit to the Büdchen can do more than a therapy session. You only wanted to tip over, but your face reveals: something is in the bush. The Büdchenmensch looks at you, doesn’t say much, maybe just: “Et Kütt like et Kütt.” And suddenly it gets easier.
4. Knowing where light is still burning at night
Cologneers have a fine feeling for which Büdchen are still open at half past two. You know where there is still meatball rolls at Sturm – and which Büdchen boss is better not to ask for cinnamon stars. This knowledge is across generational and completely analogous. If you don’t have it, ask. Someone always knows.
5. The Cologne village square in pocket format
Apartment free? Looking for a job? New band founded? Before you put it online, tell it on the Büdchen. Because here you reach people who move something – or know someone who knows someone. Büdchen are the analogous notice boxes of everyday life. And that without WLAN.
6. The longest short visit to city history
“I’m just quickly on the Büdchen” is the most honest of all self -fraud rates in Cologne. Because “fast” can easily take two or three hours here. Someone brings a Bluetooth box, someone else has two folding chairs in their backpack-and before you show yourself, you have booked a complete evening program.
7. The feeling of belonging somewhere
You can’t buy what the Büdchen really makes up. It is the warm feeling that someone asks: “Do you want one more?” It is the way very different people drink Kölsch next to each other without having to explain themselves. Anyone who was part of it takes the feeling – even if they have long lived in another city.
