Nice ambient and overall really good, but one server extremely rude and disguisting... Definitely not coming again.

There are many places serving Kolsch in Cologne but during gamescom, tired games industry staff need a unique, memorable hostelry to spend their valuable down time in. While less cultured folks gravitate towards the adjacent Irish Bar, true connoisseurs always return to Papa Joe’s. Their...heady mix of fine alcohol (including unforgettable shots of “The Doktor”) cheerful staff and automatons playing ooompah versions of pop hits is an absolute hit every time. This has been a mainstay evening spot for gamescom staff for over 10 years now and it remains the number one bar. It’s reputation is legendary. Long live Papq Joe’s.More

Unique decor that’s all over the place—so many details I have a hard time focusing on my food and beer. Behind the bar is the centerpiece of the establishment—two mechanical marionettes, animated puppet performers, which are kitschy, bizarre, quirky, unique and entertaining at the same...time. The rest of the self-playing instruments take you on an excursion to the roaring twenties, the early age of automation, when machines like self-playing pianos were considered to be marvels of entertainment. The local crowd is fun, the staff is friendly, the food is good and the beer is fresh. I’ll certainly be back whenever I have a chance.More

Found this place to warm up during our X-mas market visit in Cologne. The inside looks like a museum, with many, many decorative elements located everywhere, including on the ceiling. It's not overwhelming, though... and definitely gives the place some charm. Their equivalent of a...jukebox is a list of jazz music songs being "performed" with a duo of animated puppets located behind the main bar area. It is quite entertaining and unique. We found the staff to be super friendly and welcoming. The prices for drinks were quite ok, given the location. Would definitely recommend, at least for a couple of drinks, in order to see the setting and decor.More

While we were visiting the Christmas Markets in Cologne we stopped into Papa Joe's Kilmperkasten for a pint and to check out their "life size" human jukebox. The place was crowded so ended up sitting at the bar for the best view. Service was efficient,...but not overly friendly by any means. The life size human jukebox was amazing! A little creepy, but definitely entertaining - the one guy even sits and stands up?!? There are several other types of jukebox music machines throughout the pub and even a puppet that you can pay to laugh at your jokes - no joke!?! The bathrooms are also worth a visit with all the vintage "nudie" posters on the wall. We didn't eat anything there, but defiantly worth a quick trip and a drink just to see these amazing music makers.More

The decoration is really worth seeing, you’ll travel through time in this original place full of music and art. The waiter was really friendly and spoke English perfectly. It’s a lovely place to have a drink in Cologne.

They had five free table upstairs. I've asked if we can sit there and they said yes. But when the waiter found out the we are "only three persons" he told that we can't sit here. The rest of tables were occupied so we just...left them. No "sorry" or "you can wait or sit here". Just total ignore for us. The worst service I've faced on this lovely city:(More

Extremely rude staff. We moved several times from table to table even after they had already seated us. A shame because the place itself seemed interesting.

Had a great time here, lots of quirky things to see and lots of drink choices. Would definitely recommend.

Been visiting Papa Joe's for years now,without a shadow of a doubt one of my favourite pubs in Cologne, a pub your guaranteed to have a good time. I love the look of this pub ,the interior is pure theatre,innumerable paintings adorn the walls and...ceilings, all manner of bric a brac are festooned all over the walls of the bar,there's a solid wood serving bar that dominates the main room and it has the famous mechanical band belting out cheerful tunes all day,its just a cool bar to chill out in. My twin brother Stephen and I were here on a Tuesday night, bar was heaving with a great atmosphere, we got a Gaffel Kölsch beer each,these were served in excellent condition being iced cold and sparkling and we just chilled out and took in the great vibe in this busy and popular bar. Cologne is justifiably famous for its amazing range of Kölsch beers and Gaffel Kölsch beer is one of the most prevalent in this city on the River Rhine, it's a light and hoppy beer,bursting with taste,very easy to drink,a beer style both myself and my twin brother Stephen are particularly fond of. We really enjoyed our beers in here and the great vibe so much so that we ended up staying for another beer each before we moved on to the Christmas market and as on every other visit we had a wonderful time. Opening hours are; Monday to Sunday, 11am till 3am. Papa Joe's is easy to locate just off Alter Markt on a street called Buttermarkt. A great bar,one I highly recommend you visit if your in the great city of Cologne.More

Not good, Erik was verry grumpy and was pretty angry all the time. Didn't feel welcome over there. Beer wasn't oke. The place looked verry Nice though, really classic. Liked that. Buy Erik ruined everything, could not handle a single joke. I do not reccomment...to visit this place.More

This appears to be a local cologne bar!! Great atmosphere and the puppets playing local music - it’s a lovely feel place for a beer!!