The most iconic stalls in the Ruhr region
Bude, kiosk or Trinkhalle - they have many names in the Pott and are far more than just places to go for cool drinks and snacks! 🍺
Kiosks are a part of urban life: a tradition, a neighborhood meeting point and a lifeline when you're craving a cool drink. They provide you with everything you need - from snacks and newspapers to grilled sausages or meatballs.
Whether in Essen, Duisburg, Dortmund or Bochum, there is one of these drinking establishments on almost every corner in the Ruhr region. Many have been firmly anchored in the cityscape for decades, often as family businesses - run by miners, industrial workers, students and creative types. Kiosks are places to chat and exchange ideas, a phenomenon that holds its own against supermarket chains and delivery services.
There are said to be up to 18,000 of them in the Ruhr - and even a "Trinkhallen Day". In this blog, we take you on a little kiosk tour through the Ruhr region and show you some of the most iconic ones.
And because, in addition to kiosks, the whole city is changing, we also have the most exciting new openings for you!
Bergmann Kiosk
With its 1950s style, the Bergmann Kiosk is a true Dortmund original. The Bergmann brewery saved the listed building from decay and breathed new life into it - today it is a beer kiosk, meeting place and piece of the city's history all in one. This is where people meet after work, treat themselves to an "honest wage" and enjoy a freshly tapped Bergmann beer - just like back then. Whether it's for a quick stopover, a beer on the go or a leisurely linger: The kiosk has been modernized, but has retained its authentic Ruhrpott atmosphere. A place that shows that good meeting places are timeless.
Kult Kiosk
For over 70 years, the cult kiosk on Freigrafendamm was an integral part of everyday life in Altenbochum. When a new construction project wanted to make it disappear, neighbors fought back - with over 1,900 signatures and a good dose of passion. The rescue: in 2019, instead of being demolished, the kiosk moved into a 110 m² store and has been called "Kult-Kiosk & more" ever since. Today, it is more than just a kiosk: plush armchairs, wooden counters and a warm "Come in and feel at home" make it a social living room. In addition to fags and classics, there's breakfast with scrambled eggs, cake of the day, good coffee and even homemade ice cream in summer - kiosk flair meets café coziness. A perfect blend of tradition, neighborhood and modern drinking hall culture. And yes: "Anne Bude gehen" is still as much fun here as it used to be.
Holgers Erzbahnbude
Holger's Erzbahnbude - in the middle of the Erzbahntrasse, on the corner of Gelsenkirchen, Bochum and Herne, it is more than just a kiosk. Cyclists, skaters and walkers meet here for a quick snack or a cool drink. The kiosk is located on a former industrial transport route, which is now a lively cycle path - and Holger's Erzbahnbude is the social anchor in the countryside. Here you can not only get sausages, muffins and drinks, but also tools, repair kits and screws for flat tires - a kind of workshop and kiosk in one. On sunny days, the outdoor area with wooden benches and metal tables is full. Since April 2025, there has been a covered bicycle rest area right next to it with seating, rental bikes and barrier-free toilets. Holger's Erzbahnbude is therefore not just a stopover, but a meeting place, small workshop and social living room all in one.
Der K(Uh)Iosk
46242 Bottrop
The K(uh)iosk in Bottrop is unmistakable even from a distance - thanks to its eye-catching cow pattern that just makes you grin! It has been on the street Im Fuhlenbrock since the 1960s and has long been an integral part of the city's kiosk culture. Neighbors, cyclists and walkers meet here on the covered sun terrace for a chat, a cool drink or small snacks. In addition to the typical kiosk range, there's always something warm on offer, such as freshly roasted potato pancakes or sausages. Small, charming, different - the K(uh)iosk is proof that a little originality and warmth can shape an entire neighborhood.
Trinkhalle am Stadtgarten
44623 Herne
Located right in the green heart of the city, the Trinkhalle am Stadtgarten is the perfect place to quickly stock up on cool drinks, sweet snacks or a fresh roll before your picnic. Inside, you can expect pure stall romance: flowers on the windowsill, sweets in large glasses, a rustic-charming counter with a 70s look. This is where the neighborhood meets - in the morning for the first coffee, later for a chat in between. The Trinkhalle is not just a kiosk, but a social hub in the middle of Herne. A true original that has shown for years how cozy and lively kiosk culture can be.
Die Blaue Bude
In the middle of Duisburg-Ruhrort stands a true cornerstone of Büdchen culture: the Blaue Büdchen. Since 1911, it has defied all changes - from the war years to bombing raids and countless renovations - and has always remained on the same corner. Inside, you can expect pure stall romance: sweets in colorful jars, freshly filled sandwiches and even individual cigarettes for the occasional smoke. Everything is served with a warm smile - a piece of Ruhrort soul: colorful, genuine and unadulterated. It's no wonder that this charming pub has already won the title of "most beautiful pub in the Ruhr". A place that not only breathes history, but is still a meeting place for anyone who wants a little real Ruhrpott feeling.
Olis Büdchen / Kiosk am Ebertbad
46045 Oberhausen
Olis Büdchen am Ebertbad - small, charming and full of Ruhrpott character. What today serves as an inviting little stall was once a toilet block over 60 years ago. Since then, it has retained its familiar charm and is still an integral part of the Ebertbad today. Inside you will find everything you need for everyday life! The Büdchen is located exactly where Oberhauseners used to jump into the cold water - in the shadow of the historic Ebertbad from 1895. As a quiet drinking hall, it quietly tells stories from the past that live on in the here and now. Oli's Büdchen is a quiet but unmistakable part of the Ruhr's local culture - a small piece of history that shines with personality, typically Pott.
Fänger's Büdchen
45149 Essen
Have you ever stopped by "Bei Mampf-Fred"? Today it's called Fängers Büdchen - and is a real piece of Ruhr area kiosk history. For over 100 years, the small store has been supplying the neighborhood with everything it needs: kiosk items, food, cosmetics and even pet food. The name says it all: if you're hungry, you'll find it here - homemade bread rolls, potato salad or sausages are available fresh for in-between meals. Whether after a walk, after sport or simply spontaneously - Fängers Büdchen is the place for a short break with heart. Charming, cozy and full of Ruhrpott character, the store is more than just a kiosk: it is a piece of home where the neighborhood meets, chats and likes to come back again and again.
Frequently asked questions about Büdchen in the Ruhr area:
1. is it now called a kiosk, kiosk or drinking hall in the Ruhr area?
In the Ruhr area, people often say "Bude" or "Trinkhalle" - this is simply the regional term for kiosks in the Ruhr area. Historically, the drinking halls were meeting places for workers after their shift. Today, they are a piece of Ruhr Valley culture, just like collieries or soccer pitches.
2 What makes stalls in the Ruhr region so special?
Kiosks in the Ruhr region are more than just stores for drinks or snacks - they are meeting places, storytelling locations and small cultural islands. Here you can meet neighbors, chat with the owners and experience the real Ruhrpott feeling. Comparable places are Spätis in Berlin or Büdchen in Cologne. ✨
3 Why are kiosks so much a part of the culture in the Ruhr region?
The kiosks in the Ruhr area were established in the 19th century to provide workers with quick drinks and newspapers. This became a real tradition that is still alive today. They are places where stories are exchanged - comparable to corner pubs or small cafés.
4. are there events around kiosks in the Ruhr area?
Yes, of course! One highlight is the Drinking Halls Day, which takes place every two years. Kiosks in the Ruhr region are transformed into small stages with live music, readings and activities. It's a bit like a mini festival, only in the middle of your neighborhood.