Explore our author's favorite bars in the German capital.
Berlin truly comes alive after dark. Its extraordinary and extremely varied bar culture is an integral part of this (yes, in many bars, smoking is allowed inside, and many bars don't close until late in the morning).
As a local who's spent countless nights hopping from one district to another and from one bar to the next, our author, Eva, is excited to share her favorite bars in Berlin. There's something for everyone, from fancy gems to cozy beer gardens and smoky "Kneipen" (pubs). From hidden gems to popular bars among Berliners, here are our top picks for the bars that capture the spirit of Berlin. We could continue this list forever, as Berlin has much to offer regarding bars.
So grab your drink of choice and explore our New Day To Explore guide, which covers the best bars in Berlin. Cheers!
Bar Brutal 54
Photo credits: Bar Brutal
Let's start with a bar in Berlin that is probably one of the most frequented bars in our author's circle of friends. Why? Very good drinks, very beautiful people, very aesthetic decor (and probably the coolest bright red toilets in Berlin). With its dark walls, wooden furniture and candlelight, this popular bar on Hobrechtstraße is the perfect place to sink away for many hours. Bar Brutal has built up a real regular clientele over the years. We particularly like the Whiskey Sour here, but you can order any cocktail on the menu and you're guaranteed to enjoy it.
Bar Brutal is open every day from 7pm till late. Expect it to be quite busy at the weekend. Reservations are not possible.
Address: Hobrechtstraße 54, 12047 Berlin
District: Neukölln
Lamm Bar
Photo credits: Lamm Bar
At the other end of Berlin, in Prenzlauer Berg, you will find another favorite bar. The Lamm Bar has a nice outdoor area, great and attentive staff and excellent drinks. Here you can order either small drinks (“Lämmchen”) or full-sized drinks (“Lämmer”). We recommend the "Lämmchen" (lambs) of the week. Gin drinkers should try the homemade gin. The cocktails are creative, incredibly tasty and varied.
Address: Wisbyer Str. 1, 10439 Berlin
District: Prenzlauer Berg
Nathanja & Heinrich
Photo credits: Tommy Tannock
For our author, Nathanja & Heinrichs in Neukölln's Weserstraße is one of those bars you always go to when you're simply looking for a good, uncomplicated bar. Incidentally, with its candlelight and high ceilings, it's also a great date location.
The outdoor area is well-frequented in good weather. Inside, Nathanja & Heinrich is spacious, with exposed walls, comfortable armchairs, wooden furniture, and good music. In the evening, the restaurant transforms into a charming bar. The well-stocked bar offers friendly service, and the lighting with candles and warm tones creates a pleasant ambience. The clientele is mixed, with groups, dates, and regulars who come here every weekend.
The drinks are also impressive—we particularly like the Gin Basil Smash with lots of fresh basil. For us, it's one of the best, perhaps even the best, in the city!
Address: Weichselstr., 44, 12045 Berlin
District: Neukölln
Krüger
Photo credits: Free-map Berlin
The Krüger bar in Prenzlauer Berg is a real eye-catcher. You can see that much effort has gone into the interior design. Various lights, works of art, and decorations make the Krüger a bar with character. Moreover, the drinks are good (and comparatively cheap), and the bartenders are very friendly.
A mix of everything makes Krüger what it is: wherever you look, there are all kinds of people sitting and standing, all coming together to celebrate their free time. So, if you fancy a bar with a great mix of guests and atmosphere, you should go to Krüger near Helmholtzplatz.
Address: Lychener Str. 26, 10437 Berlin
District: Prenzlauer Berg
Bar Milano
Photo credits: Artemis Malta
"Aperitivo Italiano" is the motto of Bar Milano, a bar in Berlin Mitte that brings a touch of Italian elegance to Berlin's nightlife. The bar has simple, modern furnishings and a minimalist design.
You will find excellent Negroni in different variations, as well as Italian wine and other Italian drinks such as Campari Spritz.
Bar Milano is not just a bar; it's an exceptional destination in the heart of Berlin. Whether you're seeking a stylish spot to start your evening with an aperitivo or a chic place to enjoy the night, Bar Milano is always a good choice.
Address: Brunnenstraße 11, 10119 Berlin
District: Mitte
Bistro Spumante
Photo credits: Bistro Spumante
Spumante is an Italian sparkling white wine. The Bar Bistro Spumante in Kreuzberg, founded in 2023, has it on offer! Changing drinks and dishes will make you feel like you're in the Mediterranean. The prices are reasonable, and the bar invites you to hang around for hours. In addition to Mediterranean classics such as Campari, Ouzo, and Pastis, there is also Cynar Spritz, Averna Sour, and Frangelico. If you're hungry, you can enjoy Italian vacation fare, from calamari and spanakopita to anchovy sandwiches. The vacation mood rises!
Address: Reichenberger Str. 73, 10999 Berlin
District: Kreuzberg
Phantom Bar
The Phantom Bar in Berlin's Torstraße started as an illegal secret club in Neukölln and has been at least as secretive as it is popular among Berlin's party scene ever since. Why? The new location in Mitte is characterized by a beautiful building on several floors, a prominent inner courtyard, and a young, hip crowd that likes to party. The Phantom Bar is not just a regular bar but has a dance floor where you can dance to house tunes. Entry costs €10, and the bar closes at around 6 am. So if you can't decide between a bar and a club, this is the place for you.
Address: Torstraße 230, 10115 Berlin
District: Mitte
Café Luzia
Photo credits: Luzia
The Luzia Bar in Berlin Kreuzberg has all the qualities we love about a bar: Candlelight, delicious drinks, good music, and a cozy atmosphere. During the day, you can watch people walk past through the large windows. The beautiful furniture, the high ceilings, and, last but not least, the golden walls invite you to stay for not just one but several drinks. Another plus: There is a separate smoking room. Whether you're looking to enjoy a quiet coffee, catch up with friends, or start your night with a few drinks, Café Luzia is a must-visit destination that captures the essence of Kreuzberg's spirit.
Address: Oranienstraße 34, 10999 Berlin
District: Kreuzberg
Schwarzes Café
Photo credits: HiPi
Schwarzes Café in Berlin Charlottenburg is an institution that is an integral part of West Berlin. Open 24/7, this café and bar has been a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike since the 1970s. On two floors, a wide variety of people come together here to have a good evening surrounded by black walls and numerous paintings.
The menu offers something for everyone, from long drinks and cocktails to an open kitchen that serves pasta, soups, and typical German food if you get hungry. Known for its relaxed vibe and friendly service, Schwarzes Café is an ideal place to unwind at any hour of the day or night.
Schwarzes Café also offers a wonderful brunch. Find out more here.
Address: Kantstraße 148, 10623 Berlin
District: Charlottenburg
TiER
Photo credits: TiER
TiER bar in Berlin Neukölln is the place to go if you fancy a delicious and unusual cocktail. The bar is bursting with passion and expertise in spirits. The cocktail menu showcases a range of innovative drinks made with high-quality ingredients. The bartenders, real experts in their field, are passionate about their craft and are always ready to recommend something special.
What we also love about TiER is the beautiful interior and the excellent lighting in various shades of red and orange (ideal for a date).
Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or just looking for a cool place to chat with friends, TiER bar in Berlin offers a unique experience.
Address: Weserstr. 42, 12045 Berlin
District: Neukölln
Roses
Photo credits: Roses Bar
Pink, sparkly, fluffy: that's probably the best way to describe Roses Bar in Berlin's Oranienstraße. The gay bar for "gays and friends" is no ordinary bar. Here, the extravagant pink interior is a true masterpiece to be discovered. Although the bar is relatively small, you're guaranteed not to get bored here. And you'll never go home thirsty – ensured by the charming bartenders and open-minded guests keen to meet new people. The drinks menu is straightforward yet satisfying, offering a range of beers, spirits, and simple cocktails.
Roses Bar is the perfect spot if you're in the mood for something truly unique. For our author, Roses is always a good meeting place for a fun evening.
Address: Oranienstraße 187, 10999 Berlin
District: Kreuzberg
Paolo Pinkel
Photo credits: Milena Zwerenz
Paolo Pinkel Berlin enriches the restaurant and bar scene in Berlin Neukölln. The generously sized bar has a smoking and non-smoking room and a restaurant area. The outdoor seating area is perfect for warmer evenings. Paolo Pinkel not only mixes fantastic cocktails (we recommend the Amaretto Sour and Espresso Martini) but also offers three different international cuisines.
The spacious rooms with open glass facades in Karl-Marx-Straße are ideal for a birthday party (book in advance) or an evening with friends.
At the weekend, it gets loud and crowded here, and it goes on until the early hours.
Address: Karl-Marx-Straße 55, 12043 Berlin
District: Neukölln
Wohnzimmer Bar
Photo credits: Wohnzimmer Bar
The Wohnzimmer Bar in Prenzlauer Berg lives up to its name, “living room” in German. This charming bar offers a warm atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at home. The interior consists of an eclectic mix of 60s and 70s vintage furniture, plush sofas, and unusual lamps. There is music from the record player to match. It is a journey through time that we always enjoy, accompanied by delicious drinks and wines.
What do you think about this cozy bar in Berlin?
Address: Lettestraße 6, 10437 Berlin
District: Prenzlauer Berg
Dschungel
Photo credits: Dschungel
Step into a tropical jungle in the heart of Berlin Neukölln at Dschungel bar Berlin. The name hints at the alpine plants and lianas you'll find here, but it's the excellent cocktails that truly set this place apart.
Old, recycled tree trunks line the path to the tables, photo wallpaper with lush, tropical rainforests adorns the walls, and the mirror-tiled ceiling makes the lianas seem to grow into infinity – accompanied by dim lighting and a relaxed atmosphere.
The jungle bar is a visual eye-catcher and offers outstanding cocktails. We recommend the house creations and the Gin Basil Smash.
Address: Friedelstraße 12, 12047 Berlin
District: Neukölln
Möbel-Olfe
Photo credits: Möbel-Olfe
Möbel-Olfe in Berlin Kreuzberg is a popular bar for the queer community. You've come to the wrong place if you're looking for a relaxed bar evening. Instead, it's loud and full; people smoke, dance to different DJs, exchange numbers, and socialize. You always meet new people at Möbel-Olfe.
We particularly like the decor: satellite dishes above the long wooden bar, natural grass nailed to the wall, deer antlers, and a white-tiled bar - it's all here.
We recommend the (cheap) Moscow Mule and the freshly tapped Polish beer.
Address: Reichenberger Str. 177, 10999 Berlin
District: Kreuzberg
Victoria Bar
Photo credits: Victoria Bar
If you prefer to try out unusual cocktail creations in a bar, the Victoria Bar in Berlin Schöneberg is the place to be. The bar has a huge selection of cocktails and long drinks, including classics and many of its creations with names such as “Penicillin,” “Rattlesnake,” and “El Diablo.” The bartenders know their way around and are happy to give you recommendations. The Victoria Bar is also known for its large selection of champagne cocktails.
The Victoria Bar has been a fundamental institution in Berlin for 26 years and attracts a regular clientele. It is a place for sophisticated night owls and outstanding drinks.
Address: Potsdamer Str. 102, 10785 Berlin
District: Schöneberg
Ankerklause
Photo credits: Ankerklause
Ahoi! Lastly, we want to introduce you to another favorite bar: Ankerklause in Berlin Kreuzberg. You'll find maritime flair, fair prices, and a unique location here. At Ankerklause, you'll feel like you're on a houseboat, sitting inside right on—no, over—the Spree. The outdoor area is spacious, making it the perfect spot to watch the hustle and bustle of Kreuzberg.
Ankerklause serves a variety of beverages, including well-crafted cocktails, beers, and wines, alongside a selection of tasty snacks and meals like burgers and salads. With its ship-like ambiance, the bar features rotating acts on the turntables.
Address: Kottbusser Damm 104, 10967 Berlin
District: Kreuzberg
We hope this guide helps you find some new favorites and gives you a taste of what makes Berlin’s nightlife so special.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a regular, Berlin’s bars are always worth exploring. So go out, have fun, and make the most of the fantastic bars Berlin has to offer.
We’d love to hear more about your favorite bars in Berlin in the comments!
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