7 Best Bars in Kreuzberg, Berlin, for Cocktails and Craft Beers
While Berlin is perhaps best known for its riotous nightclubs, the German capital is also home to a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city’s creative Kreuzberg neighbourhood boasts a wealth of bars perfect for an evening of cocktails, or a laid-back beer or sundowner.
Known for its edgy and eccentric vibe, Kreuzberg is one of Berlin’s most hip and happening neighbourhoods. Ever-evolving, it’s the place to see and be seen and, thanks to its central location and status as a digital start-up hub, it invites a young and lively crowd. You’ll never go hungry or thirsty here – bars and restaurants abound, with the many cultures and cuisines represented showcasing the diversity and dynamism of the district.
Hopfenreich
Bar, Craft Ale Bar, Beer
Neatly tucked away down one of Kreuzberg’s quaint cobblestoned, tree-lined streets, Hopfenreich is paradise for craft beer lovers. Offering 22 beers on tap from all across Europe, this relaxed spot fuses edgy industrial design and tradition in its combination of antique equipment, minimalistic furniture and low-hanging lamps. Make sure to try one of Berlin’s very own local beers, easily recognisable by the ‘Berlin’ sign pointing them out on the big blackboard behind the bar. If you’re unsure which to choose, simply ask one of the friendly bartenders – they know a thing or two about their hops and barley.
Café Luzia
Cafe, German
Madame Claude
Bar, Pub, Pub Grub
Mano Café
Cafe, Bar, Coffee, Beer
Right on the doorstep of Görlitzer Park, Mano Café is quintessentially ‘Kreuzberg’ in its decor and attitude; with its mismatched vintage furniture and laid-back style, this affordable and fun bar is a prime spot for afternoon coffee and cake or relaxed evening drinks. Get there early to camp out in one of the makeshift wooden mezzanine-meets-treehouse nooks, filled with bright carpets and cushions – undoubtedly one of Berlin’s comfiest bar experiences. Alternatively, settle down in a garden shed-esque booth, bursting with verdant plants and fairy lights, or simply sink into one of the well-worn couches by the bar’s back wall.
ORA
Bar, Cafe, Restaurant, European
Walk into Ora and you may believe you have just walked into an old apotheke (pharmacy). This is precisely what reconverted bar Ora, named for its location on Oranienplatz, used to be. The bar’s owners decided to revamp the old pharmacy into a bar and restaurant, while maintaining its distinctive feel. Walls of pharmaceutical glass tubes and bottles are neatly aligned behind the counter-turned-bar, while dark wooden furniture and hanging chandeliers add an air of grandeur to the space. At the slightly higher end of the price scale, an evening sipping on a signature G&T or handcrafted cocktail at Ora offers the winning combination of history and glamour.
Das Hotel
Bar, German
Just a stone’s throw away from cool Paul-Lincke-Ufer Street, which runs along the Landwehr Canal, Das Hotel is a relaxed “living room bar”. Previously part of a hotel, as the name candidly suggests, this tiny bar makes up for in exuberance what it lacks in size. Purple, green and yellow dried flowers in glass bottles dangle at different levels from the ceiling, while dried lavender and daisies pop out from the walls and fresh flowers adorn each table. To ramp the weekend up a notch, make your way downstairs to the intimate underground club, directly beneath the bar. This miniature club pumps different music depending on the night, but one thing that never changes at Das Hotel is the personalised service – the friendly bar staff are always happy to make you a customised cocktail.
Schwarze Traube
Bar, Cocktails
Easily missed thanks to its low-key facade, Schwarze Traube is a moody knock-to-enter speakeasy famed for outstanding cocktails. Rather than offering an extensive menu, here the expert bartender instead gives you a detailed description of the cocktails of the day. If none on the concise, curated list appeal to you, the attentive staff are more than happy to create a concoction of your choosing. While the price tag at Schwarze Traube befits the bar’s reputation, it’s worth digging a little deeper into your wallet for this bespoke cocktail experience in luxurious surrounds – right down to the antique glassware.
This article is an updated version of a story created by Alice Dundon.