The Trendiest Bars in Berlin, Germany

KIM Bar is the inconspicuous, red-lit artist bar located in central Mitte. A small sign above the door indicates the bar’s presence on the gallery-rich street, Brunnenstraße and a minimal, modern and industrial vibe makes up most of the interior. From Tuesday to Saturday the bar is a hotspot for local creatives and gallery owners in the area, drawing in the young trendy crowd with reasonably priced drinks and a selection of DJ and music sets. The epitome of cool in Mitte, it’s a must-try trendy spot.

The latest project from the Watanabe and Margulies family, who are also behind House of Small Wonder (in both Brooklyn and Berlin) and Zenkichi, Small Bar carries their signature effortlessly fresh aesthetic. Delightfully intimate, this clandestine speakeasy, offers a space to meet, drink and lose yourself in its dimly lit, wood-heavy interior. The relaxed ambience of the bar can be felt throughout its menu, with a simple list of well-priced long drinks, unfussy plus a sake of the day. A relatively new kid on Berlin’s bar scene, this is a hidden gem that everyone should sample.

Located in a trendy, bar-saturated area in Friedrichshain, Hops & Barley is the craft-beer microbrewery and bar that locals can’t get enough of. Housed in a former butchers, the bar has a laid-back vibe, sporting a deep-wood bar, tiled walls and velvet-clad seating – while the menu offers an interesting mix of traditional beers, ciders and a diverse selection of craft brews. Neither the beer or the cider is filtered, to keep a natural taste and the bar offers a weekly special beer, keeping this haunt popular among beer lovers. It’s always crowded, so if you want a table head there early to secure your spot.

Kaschk is the Scandinavian-style joint serving up a selection of amazing third-wave coffee and craft-beers, acting as a cafe-bar hybrid. The friendly, knowledgeable staff are always happy to help you navigate their extensive craft-beer menu, boasting brews from Germany, Scandinavian and beyond, while a collection of old-school shuffleboards in the basement promise to keep you entertained. Complimenting the laid-back vibe, the interior is wood-heavy, cosy and warm, offering an inviting, friendly atmosphere in the heart of Mitte.

Monkey Bar is a sky-high spot, promising spectacular views over Berlin zoo along with expertly made cocktails. The hipster haunt, has an airy, open interior and a large terrace bar area, perfect in the warmer months, as well as ample indoor seating. Located in West Berlin, on the 10th floor of the über-cool 25hours Hotel, it’s the perferred hang out of Charlottenburg’s chic crowd.

Maintaining its reputation as one of Berlin’s best high-end bars, Tausend is hidden beneath the train tracks at Bahnhof Friedrichstraße. The bar boasts a one-of-a-kind space-age decor, with a mirrored ceiling, elevated seating and a golden orb engulfing one of the walls. At the weekend a DJ spins ambient house music, setting the right mood for guests to enjoy a perfectly crafted cocktail.

Have a drink with some of Berlin’s creatives at o.T Bar & Project Space. This artist-run space is a bar, cafe and independent art space, that aims to create avenue for contemporary artists to connect and host local creative events. With a warm and cosy atmosphere, a great music selection and an extensive menu of delicious cocktails, it’s the go-to watering hole for creatives in Neukölln.