Bar Guide 2026: The best cocktail bars in Germany
Housed in a historic old town house in the centre of town, the small bar is not only an oasis of calm with nostalgic charm, but also a place of good taste. Volker Seibert offers his guests a first-class selection of champagnes, highballs, classic cocktails and his own fantastic creations.
Magnolia and violet blossoms, spruce tips, elderflower and even asparagus: the seasonal flavours of nature and plants from local farms form the basis for the fantastic cocktails in this wondrously beautiful Neukölln bar. The weekly changing menu always has pleasant surprises in store.
Stephan Hinz is a gastronomic great in Cologne, with his chic and cosy bar a place for good drinks and good conversation. Most of the ingredients for the innovative and creatively mixed drinks are home-made: always a little exotic, sustainable and of the best quality. To go with it, the finest bar food.
Exclusive, stylish and world-famous as the birthplace of the Gin Basil Smash. Every detail is perfect here, where Jörg Meyer cultivates a stylish bar culture and loves twists on the finely composed drinks. Very special: the powerful mojito as "Queens Park Swizzle" and "Tarte Tatin" with rum, apple juice and egg white. Well done, lion!
Bar culture from one of the best - Charles Schumann has created a place on the first floor of his flagship store that would be equally at home in New York or Tokyo. Stately, elegant, mysterious and with just a few seats at eye level with the professional bar team. Iconic drinks are created here in legendary surroundings.
Charles Schumann's bar is an icon far beyond Munich, just like him. There is a lot of understatement here, but also a lively vibe between exceptional roast beef with roast potatoes, elaborate drinks, celebrated classics and friends of the house. In summer, the garden is the most beautiful bar in the city.
In a prime location on the banks of the Main, this trendy bar occupies just a few square metres in Frankfurt's narrowest building. The well thought-out selection of drinks is much wider. Sven Riebel and his friendly team offer guests first-class cocktails in a cosy atmosphere, with a personal touch on request.
"Hiraka Moina Tai" is the name of one of the innovative cocktails, made with cardamom, vanilla, apricot, coconut, citrus and rum, which brings a little Sri Lanka feeling to the cathedral city. If you want to delve deeper into the subject, book a tasting session or one of the interesting workshops in the friendly bar.
Of course you can just order a glass of beer, wine or Champagne. But that would be boring, because the team here is always on the lookout for new "classic & twist" drinks and likes to incorporate wacky syrups. Cool masterclasses and regular guest appearances by cocktail bar friends make things exciting.
Culinary creativity meets mixology: the bar translates Kevin Fehling's three-star cuisine into cocktails. Classics are rethought, such as "Tom Kha Gai Milkpunch" (rum, Malibu and lemongrass), "Okinawa Shiso" (Lillet, yuzu liqueur and habanero) or the "Piquant Bastard" (white pepper, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco).
A real neighbourhood bar that combines a cosy ambience with a relaxed atmosphere. The selection of drinks is first-class - from after-work drinks to rare spirits and high-end cocktails, everything is on offer here, accompanied by small dishes on request. In good weather, the terrace is the place to be.
The Lobby Lounge & Bar in the Hotel Adlon welcomes tourists and Berliners in a historic ambience. Water gurgles softly from the opulent elephant fountain and the pianist provides classical sounds to perfect the experience. Champagne, cocktails and small delicacies are served.
One counter, fourteen bar stools, the best ingredients, classic basic recipes with a creative twist and highly professional service: this is the minimalist secret of Gonçalo de Sousa Monteiro's magnificent bar, which rightly made it on to the charts of "The World's 50 Best Bars" ten years ago.
Collabs are a big thing here in St. Pauli and fellow restaurateurs like to stop off at owner Chloé Merz's bar. The bar menu is as minimalist as the design, with alcohol content charts providing orientation. The "Sip Happens" with gin, peach and white pepper is comforting, while the "Honeymoon" with pumpkin seed oil is surprising.
Mannheim's cocktail purists meet nowhere else than at the insider address in Jungbusch. Those who make a reservation are on the safe side, and those who book the cocktail workshop are in for a real treat. It doesn't take long to realise how skilfully the bar team works with herbs and fruit. Be sure to order the Coconut Negroni!