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Barguide 2024: The best cocktail bars in Germany

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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.

Ganghoferstraße 1, 12043 Berlin, Germany

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.

Odeonsplatz 6–7, 80539 Munich, 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.

Friesenwall 33, 50672 Cologne, Germany

You're in if you're in. This has been true for many years for the "Goldene" as a bar icon at night - but also for the large terrace, which is a chilled place for drinks, coffee and the best pastrami sandwiches in town during the day in summer. The place breathes history and is home to the Eisbach surfers.

Prinzregentenstraße 1, 80538 Munich, Germany

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).

Versmannstraße 2, 20457 Hamburg, Germany

It's actually quite simple: in Munich, you go to Charles Schumann, you see the stars whispering in the corner and indulge in fried potatoes and stories. Anyone who does it differently is doing it wrong.

Odeonsplatz 6–7, 80539 Munich, Germany

"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.

Schillingstraße 27, 50670 Cologne, Germany

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.

Brunnenstraße 177, 10119 Berlin, Germany

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!

Rathausstraße 3, 20095 Hamburg, Germany

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.

Maastrichter Straße 20, 50672 Cologne, Germany

Lots of greenery dominates the hotel bar, which is decorated with a small world of plants. The centrepiece of the modern and cosy location are 16 signature drinks, some of which are refined with unusual ingredients such as caraway, fennel or coriander. The matching herbs come fresh from the green bar wall.

Berliner Straße 30, 37073 Göttingen, Germany

The former office of founder Friedrich Haerlin offers cosy luxury over two floors with a view of the Alster. The classic art of bartending is celebrated here. Sit comfortably in the Rolls-Royce armchairs while Enrico Wilhelm and his team mix sophisticated drinks., or would you prefer one of the 70 whisk(e)ys and 25 gins?

Neuer Jungfernstieg 9–14, 20354 Hamburg, Germany

The revolving door into Bar Tantris opens onto another world. The bar, in 70s style and completely bathed in red, offers cocktail craftsmanship to perfection by Jörg Krause and Susan MacKenzie, but above all radiates through their enormous empathy for the guest. You should definitely also try the bar food and peruse the wine list.

Johann-Fichte-Straße 7, 80805 Munich, Germany