Many an evening have I stumbled past this place on the way home, but it wasn't until I had the pleasure of being "shown the ropes" by a good Karneval friend, that I discovered the insider tips about this Colognian institution.
I will dispense these tips...
Now:
Stepping into this hole in the wall gives you a feeling of being hurled onto the bridge for a tour of the ship. With antique and at times kitsch naval paraphernalia hanging on the walls, you'd be forgiven for thinking perhaps you've found out where Opa goes when he needs some time to think.
I ordered the local beer, Kölsch, and pulled up a pew just by the entrance. While quaffing away, the shots list caught my attention. The barkeep has a list of homemade concoctions as long as yer arm, and they're mostly fantastic. My two favourites? The Ost- and Westsiberische - a devil's-mix of liquid fire, not percentage-wise, mind you. These shots are scoville-heavy, and therefore not for the faint of heart (or weak of bowel).
So there you have it: If you ever find yourself around Neumarkt and need to get to Zulpicherplatz, Im Leuchtturm is a port worth calling into.
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