The 10 best cocktailbars in Berlin
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.
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.
With their Krass Böser Wolf bar, the creators Dustin Franke and Johann Lautenschläger manage the balancing act between quaint neighbourhood pub and trendy cocktail bar. Customers order cocktail classics such as gin fizz or their own creations such as "Thyme of my Life" with gin, rosemary, thyme, lemon and grapefruit.
More than just an insider tip in the Schöneberg neighbourhood for 30 years: just in time for its anniversary, the popular Waterhole behind the green door was named "Bar of the Year" and boss Maria Gorbatschova was even named "Bartender of the Year". The secret: fantastic creative drinks, intelligent bar culture and personalised customer service.
Experimental drink creations are the speciality of the makers of the Lamm Bar. The popular bar in Prenzlauer Berg is known for its bartenders taking a lot of time to give good advice. You should definitely try the banana split cocktail with rum, banana, lime and chocolate bitters.
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.
Where Berlin's first luxury hotel "Esplanade" once stood on Potsdamer Platz, "Frederick's" opened almost four years ago. 1400 square meters with a lot of potential - as a bar, an event location, a restaurant. The magnificent rooms are designed in the glamor of the 1920s. An oval bar in Art Deco style greets guests in the eight-metre-high entrance area, with a gallery floor with separate rooms above. In culinary terms, however, Frederick's needed a few attempts. New head chef Nicolas Gémin has finally added the clear signature style that was previously lacking. The Frenchman with Basque roots and the gourmet genes of two cultures shows what he himself loves and masters right from the starters - such as scallops with chorizo and rillettes with cranberries: European brasserie cuisine that impresses with its products and sauces. The buttery Saint-Jacques mussels are refreshed by crunchy seasonal vegetables and a gently lemony crème fraîche sauce. The hand-cut tartare tastes exceptionally juicy with its orange and mustard seed jus and confit egg yolk mixed in. And the thick, hand-cut chips with the skin on are worth mentioning. Be sure to lick up the port wine sauce, which was reduced from the gravy of the pink saddle of venison with bacon. The fish velouté with café de Paris herbs on the winter cod with leek and barley risotto is also perfect. Finally, the plates shine just as much as the chandeliers, vintage mirrors and velvet sofas. They are working on the wine list, which will focus on German wines in future.
"Naked & Famous" and "Pornstar Martini" - the popular signature drinks at Charlottenburg's Galander are also a nod to the past, when people used to party the night away in the old red light district. Today, the place exudes a more dignified hipness - ideal for enjoying high-quality bar craft.
Lush green plants and wall decorations made from artificial plants invite you to enjoy a cosy evening with delicious drinks at Le Jardin. Bar owner Yannik Walter and his team source some of their ingredients from the indoor farm and experiment with their microgreens. An all-round harmonious, natural concept.