Cool Bars in Berlin
Last Updated on April 2, 2026
Berlin is famous for doing nightlife right. No closing times means the nights extend on into the wee hours. That freedom has allowed Berlin’s bar scene to bloom, right alongside the famous nightclubs. That means, Berlin has a cool bar for every taste, many of which reflect Berlin’s wild and rebellious anything-goes spirit.
From corner kneipes to chic cocktails bars, we’ve got you covered with this list of the coolest bars in the city (listed by neighborhood).
Three things you need to know before you go: many bars still allow smoking inside, making eye contact when you say Prost is non-negotiable (seven years of bad sex, according to local superstition), and cash is still king at many classic spots.
Where To Find The Coolest Bars in Berlin
From low to high end, find exactly what you need in every hood!
Cool Bars in Mitte
Bellboy Bar
cocktails with an over-the-top presentation
Bellboy Bar stands out from many Berlin bars with its almost over-the-top theatrical approach to cockails (and vibes). The interiors are absolute eye-candy, totally decked out with colorful vintage decor. But once you are seated at your table, a new adventure awaits with the creative menu. Everything here stands out with either it’s unusual name (“A Lesson in Fisting” anyone?) or unusual ingredients (think: smoky chipotle or blue cheese). When the drinks arrive, there is even more to discover. Each drink comes in its own unique serving vessel, like a real shell, a glass bathtub, or a red ceramic fist. If you want to take home a memory of your evening, the serving vessels are available to purchase.
→ There is food here too but the focus is definitely on the cocktails.
- Where: Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße 30, 10117 Mitte | Map
- Hours: Sun-Tues 18-01:00, Thurs-Sun 18-02:00
- Bellboy Bar website
Mein Haus am See
afternoon coffee | nighttime DJs | bleacher style seating
If you’re after something different to the many bougie bars in this area, Mein Haus am See is a great choice. It’s young, fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously. During the day you can show up for coffee and then extend your evening as DJs take over in the evening.
→ A great launching pad for your evening in Mitte, especially if you’re staying at the Circus Hostel across the street.
- Where: Brunnenstraße 197-198, 10119 Mitte | Map
- Hours: Daily 16:30-06:00
- Mein Haus am See website
Neue Odessa Bar
Ukraine-style cool in Berlin | see & be seen
The blinking lights of Neue Odessa bely it’s cocktail-chic interiors. Upon entering you’re immediately transported to cool but grown-up Berlin institution. Grab yourself a nice cocktail and hopefully a spot on one of the velvet banquettes. There are DJs on the weekends and the place gets super packed, so perhaps not the best space for those who need room to breathe.
→ There’s a bouncer during busy hours, but if you don’t make the cut, don’t take it personally! There are lots of other great options in the area.
- Where: Torstraße 89, 10119 Mitte | Map
- Hours: Daily 19-04:00
- Neue Odessa Instagram
Buck and Breck
modern speakeasy | World’s Best 50 Bars list multiple times | elevated cocktails with a price tag to match
Cocktail bars can lean into the fantastical, but not here. Buck and Breck is a straightforward space with minimal decor—all the better to keep the focus on the star of the show: the cocktails. It’s small (30 guests max) and most seating is directly at the black crocodile skin-covered bar, which also puts all the focus on the bartender. If you’re a cocktail enthusiast, this is a great to observe the art. Just don’t expect any American-style bartender banter. The overall atmosphere is quiet and reverent, but it’s a great place to go with a date.
→ Ignore the neon sign that says “closed” and ring the bell for admittance.
- Where: Brunnenstraße 177, 10119 Mitte | Map
- Hours: Daily 19-02:00
- Buck & Breck website
Bar Milano
modern Italian aperitivo culture in Berlin
Take a mini-trip to Italy on bustling Brunnenstr. At Bar Milano, the apertivo culture is real. Every drink comes with a small snack (like tiny Parma ham sandwiches), all perfectly designed to keep you nibbling and drinking for a few happy hours. (You can also order a la carte.) As for drinks, we recommend a classic Aperol Spritz of course, but they also offer killer Negronis, margaritas, espresso martinis and more. Cin cin!
→ An Aperol Spritz is a must during summer months.
- Where: Brunnenstraße 11, 10119 Mitte | Map
- Hours: Sun & Mon 18-00:00, Tues-Thurs 18-01:00, Fri & Sat 18-03:00
- Bar Milano website
Bar 3
local arts scene clientele | minimal but chic
This tiny bar is one of my favorites in Mitte. It’s small and rather bare-bones as far as design goes. But it’s chic and gets the job done. The room is focused on the u-shaped bar, where efficient bartenders serve whiskey, beer, wine and their specialty: Kölsch beer from Cologne. Don’t come here expecting fancy mixology!
→ A great choice if you don’t mind standing. It’s also usually quite smoky!
- Where: Weydingerstraße 20, 10178 Mitte | Map
- Hours: Sun & Mon closed, Tues-Thurs 20-02:00, Fri & Sat 20-03:00
Pawn Dot Com Bar
urban graffiti-style interiors | cocktails with pairings
Pawn Dot Com is part of a bar family including the nearby Sharlie Cheen bar and The Wash Bar. It’s almost hidden away in a courtyard, making it seem something of a local’s secret. As you might have guessed from the urban-style interiors, they take a different approach here with the drinks. Signature cocktails are served with a small snack pairing. Think: Midnight Miso (banana, bourbon, cacao, soy, and pine liqueur) served with sides of shrimp chips and roasted nori sheets. Or take the Soft Bitter Society (a yuzu & bergamot aperivo) served with marinated olives.
→ The courtyard seating is a great choice during the warm summer months.
- Where: Torstraße 164, 10115 Mitte | Map
- Hours: Sun-Thurs 18-02:00, Fri & Sat 18-03:00
- Pawn Dot Com bar website
Cool Bars in Prenzlauer Berg
Bar Becketts Kopf
the only speakeasy in Pberg
There are lots of little bars in this area but Becketts Kopf (Beckett’s head) is the only speakeasy. Behind an unmarked door, they’ve been serving excellent cocktails since 2004. The interiors are dim, intimate, and a bit sexy with red velvet. (A great spot for a date!) The staff are knowledgable and are known to chat at length about the cocktail list (provided its not too busy). The place is owned by an Irish husband and wife and the menus are printed n old paperback copies of Samuel Beckett’s works. The menu consists of just 15 drinks, with selections such as the Aviation (with gin, violet, maraschino and lemon) or the whiskey-based Forrest.
→ To find it, look for the illuminated photo of the Irish novelist Samuel Beckett in the window.
- Where: Pappelallee 64, 10437 Prenzlauer Berg | Map
- Hours: Wed & Thurs 20-02:00, Fri & Sat 20-02:30, Closed Sun-Tues
- Becketts Kopf website
Kapitalist
neighborhood fave | casual Berlin chic
Prenzlauer Berg is becoming more gentrified by the day, but Kapitalist offers a bit of that old 90s Berlin attitude. This day-to-night joint is cool without being snobby or stuffy, keeping their charmingly battered original exteriors. Swing by in the afternoon for a coffee and let your stay extend into the evening hours. It’s definitely not a fancy cocktail bar or third wave cafe but it’s all-round excellent choice.
→ If you want to feel like a local, swing by for a sunset sundowner drink on the outside seating.
- Where: Oderberger Str. 2, 10435 Prenzlauer Berg | Map
- Hours: Sat-Wed 11-02:00, Thurs & Fri 11-03:00
- Kapitalist Berlin website
8MM
punk & rock bands | late night drinking
8mm offers a punk rock flair to somewhat stuffy Prenzlauer Berg. Named after the film format, this place is open every night until at least 4am with a diverse range of programming from live rock or punk bands to 80s DJs. The drinks are cheap and my own personal complaint is that it’s just a bit too small. However, if you’re looking for live music or a night out with 0% techno, this is a great choice.
→ Check their Instagram or website to see who’s playing.
- Where: Schönhauser Allee 177b, 10119 Prenzlauer Berg | Map
- Hours: Sun-Thurs 19-04:00 Fri & Sat 19-06:00
- 8mm Bar website
Kohlenquelle
cool Pberg neighborhood vibes | the locals living room
When I first landed in Berlin, I lived on Kopenhagener Str for a stretch. I remember walking by here and thinking it was oh-so-Berlin! And I was right. Kohlenquelle is an all-day joint. Come by in the morning for a coffee or in the evening with friends for food and drinks. (They also own the small pizza hut across the street.)
→ It’s a particularly lovely place to sit out out front with an aperol spritz during the warmer months and people watch.
- Where: Kopenhagener Str. 16, 10437 Prenzlauer Berg | Map
- Hours: Mon-Thurs 11-00:00, Fri 11-03:00, Sat 10:30-03:00, Sun 10:30-00:00
- Kohlenquelle Kaffeebar website
Wohnzimmer Bar
home-y feeling with solid drinks
Wohnzimmer means living room and this bar does its best to live up to the name. It does very much have a comfortable visiting-a-friend’s sort of vibe. The mismatched furniture oozes that Berlin hobby of taking home things you found on the street: mismatched but somehow still working. Spanning across four distinct rooms, each with its own aesthetic, the bar pulls off a rare trick: it’s simultaneously cozy and chic, intimate and lively. If you want to soak up some unpretentious Berlin vibes, this is definitely the place.
→ It gets busy on the weekends!
- Where: Lettestraße 6, 10437 Prenzlauer Berg | Map
- Hours: Sun-Thurs 16-02:30, Fri & Sat 16-03:00
- Wohnzimmer Bar website
Zu mir oder zu dir
cool bar with DJs | smoky late-night destination
Zu mir oder zu dir (“your place or mine?”) is the kind of bar that only really exists in Berlin. It’s smoky, dimly lit to perfection, and open until 5am every single night of the week. This has way more of a party vibe than other bars in the hood, with DJs spinning many nights. The cocktails are strong and reasonably priced, which is part of the reason why it’s eternally popular.
→ The party vibes make it easier to meet people.
- Where: Lychener Str. 15, 10437 Prenzlauer Berg | Map
- Hours: Daily 19-05:00
- Zum mir order zu dir bar website
Cool Bars in Kreuzberg
Café Luzia
Day-to-night | Excellent people-watching
When I first moved to Berlin, I found Café Luzia to be quite intimidating. The people (both clients and staff) were just so damn cool. And ten years later, it still oozes cool, but thankfully, it’s much less smoky than it used to be. It’s a bit dark inside but during the summer months, the front windows of Luzia slide open, making it a brilliant place for a sundowner beverage.
→ Sitting at one of the tables out front with a drink is a classic Berlin experience.
- Where: Oranienstraße 34, 10999 Kreuzberg | Map
- Hours: Mon-Wed 16-03:00, Thurs 16-3:30, Fri & Sat 12-04:00, Sunday 12-03:00
- Cafe Luzia website
Kirk
Classic Berlin bar for cocktails, beer & more
Upon entering Kirk, your attention can’t help but immediately be drawn to the large “Fuck Yoga” sign above the bar. This is your reminder to leave your thoughts of Pilates and green juice at the door. It’s time to order a whiskey and let yourself sink into the Berlin night. During the warmer months, you can sit on the patio out front and people-watch. It’s a bit noisy with the U-bahn but still fun.
→ Still cash only.
- Where: Skalitzer Str. 75, 10997 Kreuzberg | Map
- Hours: Mon-Thurs 18-03:00, Fri & Sat 18-04:00
- Kirk Bar website
Dietrich Bar
cool crowd & people-watching
Dietrich Bar is exactly what this neighborhood needs: great cocktails, sunny outside seating, and cool AF crowd. If you walk past on a sunny summer afternoon, the crowd is spilling outdoors onto their tables and bench seating. The bartenders are genuinely craft-focused, and it shows in the details: the espresso martini gets a rum base that softens the whole thing into something more easygoing, while the pisco sour stands out for its use of clarified lemon juice, which sharpens the citrus in a way that’s quietly impressive. The atmosphere is cozy and unpretentious, the music tends to hit the right notes, and the olives have developed something of a cult following among regulars.
→ It’s since changed names/hands, but this spot is featured on Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown.
- Where: Reichenberger Str. 103, 10999 Kreuzberg | Map
- Hours: Sun 17-00:00, Mon & Tues 17:30-00:00, Wed & Thurs 17:30-01:00, Fri & Sat 17-03:00
- Dietrich Bar Instagram
Würgeengel
Classic cocktail bar | 1920s-style glamour
Step through the door at Würgeengel and lose a decade or ten. With its mirrored bar, beaded chandeliers, velvet seating, and suited bartenders shaking classics to a soundtrack of light jazz, this Kottbusser Tor institution feels ripped from Weimar-era Berlin. It is, in the best possible sense, deeply theatrical. Order a martini, pretend you’re in a silent film, and let the evening unfold slowly.
→ A great second location after watching a movie at the nearby Babylon theater.
- Where: Dresdener Str. 122, 10999 Kreuzberg | Map
- Hours: Mon-Thurs 19-01:30, Fri & Sat 19-03:00 Closed Sundays
- Würgeengel website
Schwarze Traube
Bespoke cocktails for the open minded
Schwarze Traube (“black grape”) is the kind of tiny, unassuming Kreuzberg bar that quietly earns a devoted following. The concept is refreshingly simple: a small, rotating menu of just three cocktails per night, made fresh and tweaked by the bartender until they’re exactly right. The space itself is compact and cozy, with low lighting, kitsch chairs, and an intimate atmosphere that works equally well for a date or a catch-up with a close friend. Staff are warm and genuinely enthusiastic about what they’re serving. Come with an open mind about what you’ll be drinking, and you’ll rarely leave disappointed.
→ Ring the bell for admittance
- Where: Muskauer Str. 15, 10997 Kreuzberg | Map
- Hours: Sun-Thurs 19-02:00, Fri & Sat 19-04:00
- Schwarze Traube website
Cool Bars in Friedrichshain
Café Dachkammer
Early 2000s Berlin vibes | casual chic
If you want a taste of the 00s Berlin, this is for you. Dachkammer is a old-style Berlin favorite, with thrift-store chic decor and reasonably priced cockails (around €8 on my last visit). It’s open early and goes fairly late, and during the evenings it does get quite crowded, even though it has a second bar upstairs. During the summer months, the outside patio seating is a great choice, for drinking and catching the overall vibe of the hip Boxi (Boxhagener Platz) neighborhood.
→ Cash only so come prepared!
- Where: Simon-Dach-Straße 39, 10245 Friedrichshain | Map
- Hours: Daily from 13:00
- Dachkammer website
Sohnemann Bar
living room vibes | proper cocktails
If it’s proper cocktails you’re after, in this hood Sohnemann is the top choice. The interiors are dark and minimal to keep the focus on the cocktail list. The mixology strength here is in sours, but there are choices for everyone. Serious drinkers will want to check out their homemade liquers and house tonic, while beer lovers are well-served with a choice from a local brewery
→ It’s a non-smoking bar with a private smoking area, so if the smokiness of most normal Berlin bars gives you pause, this is a great choice.
- Where: Niederbarnimstraße 23, 10247 Friedrichshain | Map
- Hours: Mon 18-01:00, Tues-Thurs 18-01:30, Fri & Sat 18-03:00, Closed Sundays
- Sohnemann Bar website
Primitiv Bar
Slavic vibes | red mood lighting
Primitiv Bar seems like a forgotten speakeasy, with red lighting, vintage furniture and pretty wallpaper. The place is an institution, and well-loved for serving up great cocktails at decent prices. It’s not a fancy mixology-type bar, but they do a great job.
→ Primitiv is an subtly sexy first date location!
- Where: Simon-Dach-Straße 28, 10245 Friedrichshain | Map
- Hours: Tues-Thurs 18-03:00, Fri & Sat 18-04:00, Sun 18-02:00, Closed Mondays
- Primitiv Bar Instagram
Minimal Bar
table tennis | deep house DJ sets
Ironically, Minimal Bar offers maximum vibes. It’s got a reliably cozy atmosphere (with velvet sofas and a disco ball), a great selection of house music DJs and a music-loving crowd. The service is generally friendly but just be aware that they are card payment only. The place runs till 5am on the weekends so it’s a great all-in-one destination, where you can even do a little dancing without the hassle of heading to a big club.
→ Be aware that they charge an extra €1 surcharge on your first drink to give to the DJs or performers.
- Where: Rigaer Str. 31, 10247 Friedrichshain | Map
- Hours: Sun-Thurs 18-04:00, Fri & Sat 18-05:00
- Minimal Bar website
Fitcher’s Vogel
classic Berlin vibes | very busy on the weekends
Named after the lesser-known Grimm fairy tale, Fitcher’s Vogel leans into its storybook character with vintage decor, warm candlelight on every table, and an abundance of dark wood that gives the whole place a wonderfully atmospheric feeling. It’s a bigger space than it first appears, which is just as well given how popular it gets. The drinks are well-priced and well-made, the house beer comes in at a very reasonable €4.20, and the Moscow mule has its devotees.
→ If you want a table, be sure to get there early on the weekends.
- Where: Warschauer Str. 26, 10243 Friedrichshain
- Hours: Mon-Thurs 18-03:00, Fri & Sat 18-05:00, Sun 18-01:00
- Fitcher’s Vogel website
Krass Böser Wolf
dark & moody with friendly vibes
The name of the bar itself (“totally bad wolf”) promises something a little wild and the cocktail list delivers. It’s creative, well-priced, and varied enough to make everyone in a large group happy. The vibes here are are also exceptional with brick walls, wood furniture and lots of candles. It’s all very cool without being prenentious. Overall, this is great for cocktails or just a casual beer. I could see this being a cozy date location but if you’re with a big group, there’s a kicker table in the back.
→ It’s also a great spot to meet up before your evening continues at Renate across the street.
- Where: Markgrafendamm 36, 10245 Friedrichshain | Map
- Hours: Mon-Thurs 18-01:00, Fri & Sat 18-03:00, Sun 18-00:00
- Krass Böser Wolf website
Zur Glühlampe
cool Kneipe | drink like a local
Zur Glühlampe (“the light bulb”) is the kind of unpretentious neighbourhood bar that makes you feel instantly at home. It’s cozy, affordable, and offers the sort of lived-in warmth that takes years to cultivate. Due to its tucked away location, the crowd here is mostly locals. The owner is frequently praised for being genuinely welcoming, and the interior has that rare quality of feeling cozy rather than cramped. Sometimes there are musical performances and other events, and there’s also a kicker table in the back room.
→ The owner here is very friendly, which is sadly something of a rare occurence.
- Where: Lehmbruckstraße 1, 10245 Friedrichshain | Map
- Hours: Daily 18-03:00, Closed Sundays
- Zur Glühlampe website
Cool Bars in Neukölln
Nathanja & Heinrich
Berlin chic | all-day-hangout
Nathanja & Heinrich is a Neukölln classic and the perfect first date location. The great thing here is that it’s one of those magical all-day-hang places. Come in the afternoon for coffee and cake and perhaps getting a little work done. Stay for dinner (they only recently started offering this as of December 2025). Then stay long into the night over wine and chats with good friends. The vibe is very Berlin chic, with wood tables, mismatched furniture and brick walls.
→ Stay in the evening for natural wines and food pairings.
- Where: Weichselstraße 44, 12045 Neukölln | Map
- Hours: Sun & Mon 12-01:00, Tues & Wed 12-02:00, Thurs 12-03:00, Fri & Sat 12-04:00
- Nathanja & Heinrich website
Bussi Bar
see & be seen Neukölln edition
Bussi Bar adds a touch of Mitte-style glam to Neukölln. Drop by on the weekend and you’ll find the place packed. (I arrived one evening only to be told they had “run out of alcohol”.) In other words, if you want a cozy catch up this is probably not the place. But if a night of DJs and uber-cool crowd sound good, then you’ll love it.
→ It’s very smoky!
- Where: Pannierstraße 57, 12047 Neukölln | Map
- Hours: Sun-Thurs 18-02:00 Friday & Sat 18-05:00
- Bussi Instagram
Wax On Bar
best cocktails in Germany
Cocktail bars can have a classic almost-stuffy connotation. Refreshingly, that is not the case at Wax On. To be clear, the cocktails here are on-point. They ranked at number 29 in a list of the world’s best cocktail bars in 2023 (& the highest designation by a bar in Germany). The cocktails are the star of the show: creative, meticulously crafted, and delivered by a team that clearly loves what they do. (They’re also reasonably priced, hovering around €10.) The focus here is on classics with a twist, like the Old Fashioned containing peanut butter and strawberry or the Gimlet, with mezcal, lemon verbena and vetiver.
→ Go early as this place closes much earlier than the average Berlin bar.
- Where: Weserstr. 208, 12047 Neukölln | Map
- Hours: Tues-Sat 19-01:00, Sunday 19-00:00 Closed Mondays
Keith Bar
brick walls | American-owned whiskey bar
If you’ve got whiskey on your mind, this is the place. (I’m hard pressed to think of another whiskey bar in Berlin, especially not in this neighborhood.) It’s casual, friendly and reliable. However, if you’re looking for a quiet place to chat, this is probably not the choice for you. With an in-house community radio and a stacked events schedule with DJs, quiz nights and more, Keith offers a new adventure every night of the week.
→ Keith also offers food through various pop-ups so keep an eye on their Instagram to see what’s up!
- Where: Schillerpromenade 2, 12049 Neukölln | Map
- Hours: Daily 17-02:00
- Keith Bar website
Tier
dark but chic | excellent cocktails
Tier is a sophisticated but quirky bar with an animal theme (Tier means animal auf deutsch). It’s one of the best of cocktails bars in this part of town and it’s dark lighting and comfy chairs make for an excellent first date location. The cocktails are excellent and the spirits list is extensive. They also offer experimental specials, such as Princess and the Pea (a Gin Fizz variation with pea syrup) or a Smoky Old Fashioned, which has a twist of mezcal.
→ You will want to take photos of the whimsical decor but it’s strictly no photos.
- Where: Weserstr. 42, 12045 Neukölln | Map
- Hours: Mon-Wed 18-02:00, Thurs 18-03:00, Fri & Sat 18-04:00, Sun 16-01:00
- Tier website
Zosse
renovated barn | cozy with a fireplace
Berlin has more than its fair share of cozy brick-walled bars. But one that’s housed in a former stable? Now that’s something different. Zosse is tucked away off the street, and arriving here feels like stumbling across a great secret—especially during the warm summer months when you can sit outside on their beautiful terrace. The winter months are also cozy, as they have a real fireplace inside.
→ I always stop here when I hit up the Rixdorf Christmas market. They serve glühwein!
- Where: Richardstraße 37, 12043 Neukölln | Map
- Hours: Tues-Thurs 18-00:00, Fri & Sat 18-02:00, Sun 18-23:00, closed Mondays
- Zosse website
Velvet
minimal & dark interiors | superb cocktails
As you can see by this list, Neukölln is spoilt for choice when it comes to cocktail bars. Velvet is another top contender. This is a serious cocktail bar with a weekly-changing menu built around seasonal ingredients, unexpected flavour pairings, and a genuinely creative approach to what a drink can be. The atmosphere is elegant but relaxed. The space beautiful especially when evening light catches the backlit bottles, and there’s a thoughtful selection of alcohol-free options for those not drinking. As for drinks, think cocktails with special ingredients like magnolia, violet blossoms, spruce tips, elderflower and even asparagus sets them apart from the crowd.
→ Ask for a half portion so you can try more from the menu.
- Where: Ganghoferstraße 1, 12043 Neukölln | Map
- Hours: Sun, Mon, Wed & Thurs 19-01:00, Fri & Sat 19-02:00
- Velvet website
Cool Bars in Schöneberg & Charlottenburg
Rum Trader
The oldest cocktail bar in Berlin | Heavily rum-focused
If you’re serious about Tiki-style cocktails or you’re craving a formal cocktail bar experience, then the Rum Trader is a standout choice. Operating from Charlottenburg for over 50 years, this is a place where time seems to have stood still. (It’s the oldest cocktail bar in Berlin!) Indeed, this is also a place that requires some planning and respect before rolling up. It demands respect throught it’s rules: no photos, no phones, cash only and only opens it’s doors at 20:15. As is to be expected, the menu focuses on rum, but there’s also champagne and a small whiskey selection.
→ Dress up to improve your chances of making it inside.
- Where: Fasanenstraße 40, 10719 Charlottenburg | Map
- Hours: Tues-Fri from 20:15-01:00, Fri 20:15-02:00, Sat 21:30-02:00
- Rum Trader Berlin website
Bar Zentral
minimal chic under the S-bahn | modern cocktails
Imagine Bar Zentral as a modern take on the classic Tiki bar. Like the nearby Rum Trader, the focus here is on rum but instead of tradition, the vibe is minimal. Selections include the Piñata (an elevated version of the classic Pina Colada made with three different types of rum and an absinthe-coconut foam) as well as upscale versions of Daiquiris. Not into rum? The Negroni is also top-notch and they also have some well-chosen wines and even cigars on offer.
→ The menu changes about three times a year so it’s worth visiting regularly to try all the new cocktails.
- Where: Lotte-Lenya-Bogen 551, 10623 Charlottenburg | Map
- Hours: Sun-Thurs 17-01:00, Fri & Sat 17-02:00
- Bar Zentral Berlin website
Victoria Bar
Strict door policy | see & bee seen fashion / arts crowd
Since 2001, Victoria Bar has been a hotspot for the fashion and arts scene of Potsdamer Str. The interiors are include wood panelling, classic green leather seats, and lighting that is perfectly dim. As for drinks, the focus here is on the classic cocktail. Opt for something like a Prince of Wales (champagne with rye), Brandy Crusta (a take on a Sidecar) or a Guyana Manhattan (a rum-based twist on the original). It’s also famously no-photos-allowed, so maybe don’t come here you want to show off your evening on Insta.
→ This bar was recently renovated to near original conditions after a fire.
- Where: Potsdamer Str. 102, 10785 Schöneberg | Map
- Hours: Sun-Thurs 18-02:00, Fri & Sat 18-04:00
- Victoria Bar website
Green Door Bar
polished cocktails with a speakeasy vibe
Schöneberg is absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to excellent cocktail bars. But we’d be remiss not to mention the Green Door. Tucked away off of Winterfeldtstraße behind a (you guessed it) green door, lies one of the best speakeasy-type bars in the city. The bar originally opened in 1995 but the interiors still feel fresh, with heavy kitsch juxtaposed against modern design. But of course, the cocktails here are the star. Whether you choose a classic or something from the ever-rotating seasonal menu, you’re sure to be delighted.
→ Try their signature cocktail: the Green Door with a refreshing mix of champagne, lemon, sugar and mint.
- Winterfeldtstraße 50, 10781 Schöneberg | Map
- Hours: Sun-Thurs 19-01:00, Fri & Sat 19-02:00
- Green Door Bar website
Stagger Lee
American Prohibition style cocktail bar
Stagger Lee brings a touch of Southern speakeasy flair to Schöneberg. Named after a carriage driver from Missouri, this beautiful bar offers a sophisticated saloon style charm. The decor features leather Chesterfields and beautiful red wallpaper, but the real focus here is on the cocktails. This is the perfect spot for a classic, like an old-fashioned, or something new, like their homage to Frida Kahlo: a heady mix of Amontillado sherry, homemade hibiscus-infused tequila, lime juice, and vanilla syrup. During the summer, the menu has a Tiki-influence.
→ It’s a smoking bar but there is a smoke-free room in the back.
- Where: Nollendorfstraße 27, 10777 Schöneberg | Map
- Hours: Daily 18-02:00
- Stagger Lee website
Train Cocktailbar
superb cocktails in an old train car
Drinks in a old train car? It might sound like a cheesy gimmick but Train Cocktailbar is anything but. Yes, the bar is housed inside an actual 1920’s vintage S-bahn car. But the cocktails hold their own. They’re creative, and include classics like Mojitos and Planters Punch, alongside unique creations such as Train Fever (with rum) and Train Soul (with tequila). There are only 50 seats inside but during the summer months, you can also sit outside on the sprawling patio.
→ Card payment possible only with a minimum spend of €20.
- Where: Hauptstraße 162, 10827 Schöneberg | Map
- Hours: Sun-Thurs 18-02:00, Fri & Sat 18-03:00
- Train Cocktailbar website
Cool Bars in Wedding
The Forsberg
Canadian owned | Berliner cool
It’s an ongoing joke that Berlin’s Wedding district is up-and-coming…for the last 15 years. Like everywhere else, the area is gentrifying, but it’s still a bit lacking in cool bars (in my opinion of course). However, The Forsberg is a wonderful option. Run by a fellow Canadian, and offers an unpretentious approach to cocktails in a cozy basement (keller) setting. With the brick walls and the candles everywhere, this is a supremely vibe-y place for a first date or a casual evening out.
→ The owner is also an artist and all the art on the walls is his.
- Where: Gerichtstraße 26, 13347 Wedding | Map
- Hours: Tue-Thurs 18-00:00, Fri & Sat 18-02:00, Closed Sun & Mon
- The Forsberg Facebook
Where are you heading tonight?
I did my best to round up many of Berlin’s best bars for you. But of course, this list is not exhaustive. New discoveries and additions will happen all the time. If you want to go off-list that’s totally fine. There are plenty of great bars to choose from in every area of town. It can be quite magical to wander the streets and to pick one at random.
There’s also a lot to be said for forgoing the bar entirely and spending a few hours in front of your local späti or in a popular outdoor evening hang area like Admiralbrücke.
Wherever you end up, prost! I wish you a fantastic night out in Berlin—and hopefully no hangovers.
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