Hipmunk CIty Love: A Guide to the Best Bars in Berlin

One of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, famous for its bar scene, Berlin draws travelers from all over the globe interested in the thriving nightlife. And while Berlin hostels are a hotspot for backpackers looking to cash in on Berlin’s reputation for a party, some of Berlin’s best bars are actually waiting to be found in unsuspecting neighborhoods across the city.

Whether you’re looking for a few quiet drinks or a huge night out on a club crawl, the following are the best bars in Berlin.

Newton Bar

At this classic bar in West Berlin, named to immortalize the iconic fashion photographer Helmut Newton, guests mingle on red leather lounges at oak tables while surrounded by marble furnishings and walls set with life-size Helmut Newton black and white nudes.

The bar is located in the business sector of Berlin and draws a sophisticated crowd.

Solar Sky Lounge and Restaurant

This is a stylish cocktail bar on the 17^th story of a rundown office block near Checkpoint Charlie, which provides drinkers with the best 360° views over Berlin. Enter via a glass elevator that runs up the outside of the building and feel like you are suspended in mid-air.

Cocktails average 10 Euros each, and while more expensive than other bars in Berlin, the view from the floor to ceiling windows is first-class. This is a popular spot for businessmen and couples on a romantic date, and is more formal when it comes to dress.

Barbie Deinhoff’s

Barbie Deinhoff’s is a lively bar and a local favorite among the members of Berlin’s cross-dressing community. A bright pink Barbie themed establishment, Barbie’s features a raucous atmosphere with cheap prices. You will find ruby-lipped drag queens rubbing shoulders with local artists, intellectuals, and Berlin’s LGBT crowd.

It’s camp and carefree, with outrageous performances based around gender. Barbie’s Tuesday nights offer budget drinkers an all night happy hour.

Luzia

Luzia is one of Berlin’s most stylish and popular bars on Oranienstrasse. You can enjoy a coffee, cocktail, or beer on the outdoor tables while taking in the bustling streets scenes of Berlin.

The bar is set in an industrial loft space with alternative décor – velvet armchairs, torn vintage wallpaper, mismatched tables, and exposed rustic brick make it a sexy and stylish space. Luzia is popular with locals and attracts a young crowd, with a laid-back but still refined atmosphere.

Rum Trader

The oldest and most exclusive cocktail bar in Berlin, the Rum Trader remains largely unchanged since its opening in 1976.

With room for only 30 people, call ahead to check that there’s space and then ring the buzzer on the door to gain entry. You won’t find a menu – bartenders in waistcoats and bow ties will ask for your choice of spirit, and your preference of sweet or sour. Enjoy the best cocktail of your life, served in the finest vintage glass.

Berlin isn’t a city with a central party zone, and each neighborhood contributes to the bar scene with their distinctive characteristics and flair. On your next trip to Berlin, you will be prepared to find that perfect cocktail.

This article is part of the Hipmunk #CityLove Project