KNEIPEN (PUBS) AND BARS
1. Green Door
Winterfeldstr. 50 • (030) 215 25 15 • Open 6pm–2am Sun–Thu (until 3am Fri & Sat)
This Berlin classic never goes out of style. A young urban crowd enjoys some of the best drinks and cocktails money can buy in Germany, mingling at the minimalist retro-style bar and along the curved, green walls. At weekends, the place is packed to bursting. There’s an outdoor bell, but the door policy is pretty liberal as long as you look sober.
2. E & M Leydicke
Mansteinstr. 4 • (030) 216 29 73 • Open 6pm–1am daily
This slightly dated winery is still a big hit with tourists as well as groups of pupils and students. Try the sweetish strawberry and raspberry wines.
3. Newton Bar
To see and be seen is the name of the game at this elegant venue. Service is charming and the fastest in town, and in summer there’s even a fold-down bar on the pavement outside. Heavy leather armchairs make for comfortable sitting, and the walls are adorned with enlarged photographs of nudes by Helmut Newton, after whom the bar is named. Don’t miss out on the Caribbean and Latin-American cocktails (see Newton Bar).
4. Beckett’s Kopf
Pappelallee 64 • (030) 44 03 58 80 • Open 8pm–3am Sun–Thu (until 4am Fri & Sat)
One of Berlin’s finest cocktail bars, Beckett’s Kopf has a portrait of writer Samuel Beckett in its window. Its dark interior is hung with heavy velvet curtains, as if to keep the secret recipes from prying eyes. The superb concoctions include the “Mother-in-Law”, with fruity notes, and the “Prince of Wales”, said to be a favourite indulgence of King Edward VII.
The atmospheric Beckett’s Kopf
5. Victoria Bar
Potsdamer Str. 102 • (030) 25 75 99 77 • Open 6:30pm–3am Sun–Thu (until 4am Fri & Sat)
This cosy bar, with its understated 1960s ambience, subdued lighting and sophisticated lounge music is a great place for a relaxing drink and has become a firm favourite among the well-to-do artsy crowd. The cocktails are mixed by the renowned barman Stefan Weber.
The retro ambience of Berlin’s Victoria Bar
6. Weinbar Rutz
Chausseestr. 8 • (030) 24 62 87 60 • Open 4–11pm Tue–Sat
Berlin’s best (but pricey) wine bar and shop is found downstairs from the award-winning restaurant of the same name (see Rutz). It offers over 1,000 wines, but Sommelier Billy Wagner is on hand to assist you. Excellent selection of food.
7. Zwiebelfisch
Savignyplatz 7–8 • (030) 312 73 63 • Open noon–6am daily
A classic of the somewhat ageing Charlottenburg scene, where the last survivors of the 1968 student revolt generation come to reminisce. Photographs of artists, once patrons of this establishment, are hung on the walls. In the summer, there are tables outdoors.
8. Café M
Goltzstr. 33 • (030) 216 70 92 • Open 10am–late daily (from noon Sat & Sun)
Noisy yet laid-back, the Café M Kneipe in Schöneberg is (in)famous. If you find the rock music too loud, try the tables outside.
9. Kumpelnest 3000
Lützowstr. 23 • (030) 261 69 18 • Open 7pm–5am daily
With chintz wallpaper, this popular venue is set in a former brothel. A delicious Caipirinha is served here, but its real attraction is as a great place for people-watching.
10. Zum Nußbaum
One of only a few traditional Kneipen in the historic Nikolaiviertel quarter worth checking out, the Nußbaum serves draught beer and traditional Berlin food.
The traditional Zum Nußbaum pub
