Cities
Germany Cologne Rhine-Westphalia Theatre

Theater in der Filmdos

About

Founded in 1984 by director Walter Bockmayer, the theatre emerged from the iconic Filmdose bar on Zülpicher Straße, where avant-garde performances first captivated audiences. Today, it continues as a vibrant cultural hotspot, offering satirical plays, musical comedies, and cabaret-style productions with a distinctly Kölsch twist. The resident ensemble “Tragödienstadl” stages original works that mix humour, social commentary, and theatrical flair, often drawing on themes of identity, gender, and urban life. With its intimate setting, loyal following, and irreverent spirit, Theater in der Filmdose is more than a stage—it’s a neighbourhood institution, a carnival stronghold, and a place where Cologne’s creative pulse beats loud and proud. Whether you're seeking laughter, provocation, or a night of Kölsch and Klingong-Spritz, this theatre promises an unforgettable experience.

Cologne Germany
Theater in der Filmdos
Location

The Theater in der Filmdose is located at Zülpicher Straße 39 in Cologne, situated in the vibrant and youthful district near the University of Cologne and just a short walk from the popular Zülpicher Platz. This lively area is known for its bustling cafés, bars, and eateries favored by students and locals alike. Nearby attractions include the historic Severinstorburg city gate, green spaces like the Rheinpark, and several contemporary art galleries. The neighborhood offers excellent public transport links with nearby tram and bus stops, making it easily accessible from different parts of the city. Visitors to the theater can enjoy the dynamic cultural scene of the district, which combines a youthful atmosphere with urban charm, perfect for combining a theatre visit with exploring lively streets, street art, and casual dining options.​

Museum Ludwig Museum Ludwig Museum Roman-Germanic Museum Roman-Germanic Museum Museum Wallraf-Richartz Museum & Fondation Corboud Wallraf-Richartz Museum & Fondation Corboud Museum Schnütgen Museum Schnütgen Museum Museum Museum für Angewandte Kunst Museum für Angewandte Kunst Museum Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst Museum Domschatzkammer Domschatzkammer Museum EL-DE Haus EL-DE Haus Museum Cologne City Museum Cologne City Museum Museum Fragrance Museum Fragrance Museum Museum German Sports and Olympic Museum German Sports and Olympic Museum Museum Odysseum Odysseum Museum Cologne Carnival Museum Cologne Carnival Museum Museum Cologne Chocolate Museum Cologne Chocolate Museum Museum Puppenmuseum Puppenmuseum Museum Radio Museum Köln e.v. Radio Museum Köln e.v. Museum Kolumba Kolumba Museum Medizinhistorisches Museum Köln Medizinhistorisches Museum Köln Museum Jüdisches Museum im Archäologischen Quartier Köln Jüdisches Museum im Archäologischen Quartier Köln Museum Rhenish Industrial Railway Museum Rhenish Industrial Railway Museum Museum Rail museum Thielenbruch Rail museum Thielenbruch Museum Biermuseum Biermuseum Pub Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum Museum Käthe Kollwitz Museum Käthe Kollwitz Museum Museum National Socialism Documentation Center of the City of Cologne National Socialism Documentation Center of the City of Cologne Museum SK Stiftung Kultur SK Stiftung Kultur Gallery Sammlung Zander Sammlung Zander Museum Dom Treasury Dom Treasury Museum Das Museum des Schmerzes und der Liebe Das Museum des Schmerzes und der Liebe Museum Römisch-Germanisches Museum im Belgischen Haus Römisch-Germanisches Museum im Belgischen Haus Museum Schauspiel Köln Schauspiel Köln Theatre Theater im Bauturm Theater im Bauturm Theatre Senftöpfchen-Theater Senftöpfchen-Theater Theatre Horizont Theater Horizont Theater Theatre Hänneschen-Theater Hänneschen-Theater Theatre Gloria-Theater Gloria-Theater Theatre Scala Theater Köln Scala Theater Köln Theatre Theater Tiefrot Theater Tiefrot Theatre Urania Theater Urania Theater Theatre Gallery Ehren Art Gallery Ehren Art Gallery 30works Galerie 30works Galerie Gallery Galerie Mensing Cologne Galerie Mensing Cologne Gallery Galerie Zander Susanne Galerie Zander Susanne Gallery Galerie Timeless Art Galerie Timeless Art Gallery Philipp Von Rosen Galerie Philipp Von Rosen Galerie Gallery Van der Grinten Galerie Van der Grinten Galerie Gallery Galerie Biesenbach Galerie Biesenbach Gallery Cologne Cathedral Cologne Cathedral Cathedral Kranhäuser im Rheinauhafen Kranhäuser im Rheinauhafen Tourist attractions Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln Botanical Garden Fort X Fort X Fortress Volksgarten Köln Volksgarten Köln Park Rheinpark Rheinpark Park Forstbotanischer Garten und Friedenswald Forstbotanischer Garten und Friedenswald Botanical Garden Malakoffturm Malakoffturm Historical Landmark Römerbrunnen Römerbrunnen Tourist attractions Exhibition Tower Exhibition Tower Tourist attractions Cologne Zoo Cologne Zoo Zoo Hahnentor Hahnentor Historical Landmark Edith Stein Denkmal Edith Stein Denkmal Monument Petrusbrunnen Petrusbrunnen Historical Landmark Hiroshima-Nagasaki-Park Hiroshima-Nagasaki-Park Park Equestrian monument to King Frederick William III of Prussia Equestrian monument to King Frederick William III of Prussia Tourist attractions Friedenspark Cologne Friedenspark Cologne Park Willi-Ostermann-Brunnen Willi-Ostermann-Brunnen Tourist attractions Time Ride Time Ride Tourist attractions Equestrian Statue of Kaiser Wilhelm II Equestrian Statue of Kaiser Wilhelm II Statue Heinzelmännchenbrunnen Heinzelmännchenbrunnen Cultural landmark Old Market Cologne Old Market Cologne Square Römerturm Römerturm Historical Landmark Romans' Northern Gate Romans' Northern Gate Historical Landmark Rheinboulevard Rheinboulevard Observation deck Ulrepforte Ulrepforte Historical Landmark Cologne View Cologne View Tourist attractions Great St. Martin Church Great St. Martin Church Church Pegel Köln Pegel Köln Tourist attractions Bastei Köln Bastei Köln Tourist attractions Kaskaden Kaskaden Tourist attractions Basilica of St. Gereon Basilica of St. Gereon Church Hohenzollern Bridge Hohenzollern Bridge Bridge Stadtwald Stadtwald Park Schloss Arff Schloss Arff Castle Trödel- und Antikmarkt an der Rheinpromenade Trödel- und Antikmarkt an der Rheinpromenade Market Flohmarkt an der Galopprennbahn Flohmarkt an der Galopprennbahn Market Flohmarkt & Antikmarkt Kölner Altstadt Flohmarkt & Antikmarkt Kölner Altstadt Market Flohmarkt RheinEnergieStadion Flohmarkt RheinEnergieStadion Market Flohmarkt an der Südbrücke Flohmarkt an der Südbrücke Market St. Maria im Kapitol St. Maria im Kapitol Church Roonstraße Synagogue Roonstraße Synagogue Synagogue Basilica of St. Kunibert Basilica of St. Kunibert Church Schmitz Column Schmitz Column Historical Landmark Jan von Werth Monument Jan von Werth Monument Monument Forstbotanischer Garten Köln Forstbotanischer Garten Köln Park Beethovenpark Beethovenpark Park