Trendy business meeting locations in Düsseldorf

A client has asked me to book a "trendy location" for 50 to 60 people attending a business meeting. From the information I have received this will be more an informal gathering than hard-core business. Are there any cool locations such as a café in mid-aeval surroundings, a retro-bar or a hotel/restaurant with a view over the Rhine that you can recommend?
Thank you in advance!

In what city are we talking about? Obviously, not Munich.

Düsseldorf, near the Train Station if possible

My bad, I did a search for Düsseldorf first and thought I had put it in the title. Thanks for pointing that out!

There are lots of places in the harbour area - hotels, restaurants etc.

In the Altstadt you could use the Schlossturm - I think it is big enough. Not sure that they have business facilities though.

How about the restaurant at the top of the TV tower? It rotates, so you get a great view... and you can laugh at the people who come out of the toilet (on the non-rotating core) and can't find their way back to their table!

Don't know about trendy (might actually be a bit too formal), but this place is just outside of the city, has a view of the river and is in an old Fachwerkhaus: Landhaus Restaurant Mönchenwerth

The "media" harbour is very trendy and very pleasant but offers a homogenous, international, atmosphere. For Düsseldorf you really should got to one of the Altbier bars, for example, Ürige in the Altstadt, Schumackers on Oststrasse (very near to station), Schlüssel or Goldener Ring, both in the Alstadt or, preferably to Füchsen (the Little Fox) near to the Ratinger Tor and on the edge of the Altstadt. Most have their own butchery and offer first class "rheinländische" catering. Füchsen has a wonderful old Keller which can be rented/used by private parties but I can't remember the capacity. I can contact the owner, Peter Königs, If you wish, but they're also on the web somewhere. If you'd like any tips for your event then PM me. I know Düsseldorf very well although I no longer live there.

Great tips, thank you. I have looked at Goldener Ring and Schumacher and tend to the latter. Can anyone share any specific experiences as to volume (can you still talk without having to shout), quality of food and service?
And: Any recommendation for Zum Schiffchen?
Thank you!

Zum Schiffchen in the Altstadt is good for out-of-towners .. it's one of those very traditional German places with Schweinehaxe and dumplings and things.
Nice location and nice interior.

Not to be mixed up with Im Schiffchen in Kaiserswerth though... where you need to remortgage the house and sell your grandmother just to be able to afford one of the starters

Schumacher is big enough, but probably as loud as the other breweries. If there is a trade fair in town though, it will be very hard to find places for 50-60 extra people, and positively no view over the Rhine. The cellar in Fuchschen doesn't have tha capacity for 50+. There are private rooms upstairs in Uerige though, that look big enough.

We had a work gathering for about 30-40 people here in summer: http://www.cafe-del-sol.de/

The quality of the kitchen can be a bit sporradic in Schumachers, and Oststrasse, while near to the station, is simply a commercial street, whereas Goldener Ring is next to the Schlossturm, slap in the Altstadt, and just a petrol-bomb's throw from the Rhine. Another plus is Frankenheim Altbier. Volume levels would depend on dates and times. If this is planned during DRUPA you'll need to get something sorted quickly. Yes, the Keller in Füchsen ist too small ( it takes about 30 ) but the annexe at the rear would probably do the job. I'm biased as I prefer the beer there. Having said all that, I think the best atmosphere is probably to be found in Ürige, and if I'm not mistaken there are rooms upstairs that would be able to accommodate 60.

There's the Rheinterrasse in DUS or CGN (indoor not just outdoor). DUS Rheinterrasse is more business oriented and you'll need a car to get to it. We have previously booked several corporate events there. CGN Rheinterrasse I've only ever been to for the afters breakfast on a Sunday morning, but looks like a good venue.

For smaller business lunches the DUS "Medienhafen" is packed with places near the Kaistrasse area - all very trendy but pricey. Downtown DUS places I'm not sure about, but there's quite a few places in the back alleys branching off from the Königsallee.

PS Watch out for the Messe times if you're involved with making any bookings. When DUS and CGN collide with Messe/Expos happening in parallel it's an accommodation/entertaining nightmare.

Hi Sara!

You can also try the 22/23rd floor of my company's building in Düsseldorf - 15 Graf-Adolf-Platz. I know the area is rented for coctail parties and such there. The 22nd is full of modern art, and it is a new building with a very modern style - all glass building. It has a very nice view of the river, city, and nearby to all city attractions (e.g. Koiningsalle, Altstadt, etc.). I have no idea what the prices, or if this is what you are looking for, but it might be worth giving them a call. Also, I forgot to mention, it is just a few minutes from the train station as well.

http://www.excellent-bc.de/en/duesseldorf_gap.php

Cheers,

Chris

You work in GAP? I love the look of that building. Would love to have an office there rather than this dreary altbau.

You can also try Monkey's West which is a trendy (and rather expensive) restaurant which turns into a bar on some evenings/occasions. This place will surely fit 60 people and offer very exquisite food, but it depends on what your boss is expecting. Monkey's is definitely happening (and is very Düsseldorf) but does not offer a relaxed atmosphere. Or rather, it's up to you to create it!

It is right next to the gap building and is within walking distance from the train station.