„Tatort“ watching as a „pack“ These pubs show the popular program
Bonn · Don’t call German friends on Sunday at 8.15pm - they are watching „Tatort“. Maybe you could watch it with them in one of the bars in Bonn…
Have you ever tried to ring a German friend on a Sunday night at 8.15pm? Most likely, he or she won’t answer the phone and only reappear in the real world at 9.45pm - for an hour-and-a-half, they are absorbed in the popular tv whodunnit program „Tatort“, which - similar to CSI - shows police investigations from different German cities. Particluarly popular are the rather funny episodes from Münster (which gets up to 10 million viewers, nationwide), the Cologne edition and the adventures of the Dortmund team.
But why let the Germans sit in front of the tv on their own? Several bars and pubs show the „Tatort“ episodes on the big screen. Here’s a list of the places where you could join your German friends watching the „Tatort“. Also: It’s a great way to learn German phrases - especially if the program is maybe even shown with subtitles.
Here’s a list of public viewings of the „Tatort“:
Studikneipe Südstadt
This bar with a college atmosphere at the corner of Weberstraße and Kaiserstraße, right beside the train tracks, shows all „Tatort“ episodes and the also the quite popular „Polizeiruf“ (on „Tatort“-free Sundays, same time) on two big screens. There’s a tv set as well. For very popular „Tatort“ nights, booking ahead is essential. While watching the tv whodunnit you can get sparkling wine and tee for 1.40 Euro.
Info: Weberstraße 50a (Ecke Kaiserstraße), 53113 Bonn (Südstadt), Tel. (0228) 33888899, Facebook: www.facebook.com/SuedstadtStudikneipe/
Südbahnhof
The „Tatort“ and „Polizeiruf“ episodes are shown also on a big screen in the Südbahnog at the Ermekeilstraße. There is also a tv set near the bar in the back of the traditional German pub. As the Münster and the Cologne episodes of the „Tatort“ are the most popular, you need to get there a bit early to get a good seat. No bookings possible.
Info: Ermekeilstraße 32, 53115 Bonn (Südstadt), Tel. (0228) 218103, Facebook: www.facebook.com/Der-S%C3%BCdbahnhof-196462077035848/
Namenlos
The bar Namenlos is established for more than 30 years at the Bornheimer Straße, between Alter Friedhof and Stadthaus. The „Tatort“ and the „Polizeiruf“ get shown every Sunday as well, on a big television set near the bar and on a big screen further back. There are plenty of seats, no reservations needed.
Info: Bornheimerstraße 20-22, 53111 Bonn (Nordstadt), Tel. (0228) 638640, Facebook: www.facebook.com/NamenlosBonn/, Twitter: twitter.com/namenlosbonn
Lichtblick
This is a sports bar, but on Sunday nights there is no soccer ball rolling across the screen but the tires of police cars of the „Tatort“ investigators. The „Polizeiruf“ is shown on demand. Since the start of the public broadcast in this bar, quite a fan community has built up, favorite seats get reserved beforehand. There is always the odd space available though - even without booking ahead. Additional treat: Whoever guesses first who was the murderer is, gets a free drink.
Info: Dorotheenstraße 2 (Ecke Breite Straße), 53111 Bonn (Altstadt), Tel. (0228) 9082666, Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lichtblick-Bonn-347671499938/
Zwitscherstube
This place, nicknamed Zwiwi, is a comfy arched cellar location under the hotel „Rheinland“ in Bad Godesberg’s mansion district. The „Tatort“ is shown here, the „Polizeiruf“ rather seldomly. There is one large screen. Bigger groups who want to be seated together, need to book in advance.
Info: Rheinallee 17, 53173 Bad Godesberg, Tel. (0228) 351345, Facebook: www.facebook.com/Zwitscherstube.Godesberg, www.zwiwi-godesberg.de
Original text: Johanna Heinz, translation: Mareike Graepel
