Booze Joints to Avoid
Unless you like good booze, that is. No, let me rephrase that. I don’t condone drinking. I rarely have a drink myself, as a matter of fact. But when I do, it’s two or three and not just one of course and preferably at an “American” bar. I’m out of luck, right? Hardly. Berlin is loaded with American bars where you can get a great drink (or get loaded). But you don’t have to be loaded to go there.
Sure, Techno Raves and all the other drug-induced excesses certainly still have their place here in town – and it’s usually in a dark and damp cellar at some hopelessly obscure location – but there are in fact enough of those good old fashion mainstream establishment places around town for the rest of us. For the rest of us bores, I mean.
And let’s face it, every once in awhile even a bore needs a little, well, conversation and understanding. You know, regardless of who is sitting next to him (okay, sometimes the barstool is empty, I know). So don’t forget, however it is you wish to categorize yourself, they are here, these enclaves for the weary and the anything but weary. And here, in my view, are a few of the best cocktail lounges this side of Fifth Avenue (and no, I haven’t been to any of them in awhile, honest).
Try the Bar am Lützowplatz. You might find the idea of a Mao portrait at the end of the longest bar in town a bit peculiar, and indeed it is, but if you’re looking for classic cocktail excellence, this is the place to be. No experiments here, thank you. No experiments, that is, except for perhaps the architecture. Well, then there is also that vast collection of Champagne and the rare malt whiskeys. The Bar’s numerous awards are well deserved and proudly documented. The Gin Sour and the New Yorker are phenomenal. Lützwoplatz 7.
Have a look at Reingold (www.reingold.de). Reingold is, I suppose, an insider lounge, a favorite place kind of place. One reason for this might be its location. It’s definitely off the beaten path, at least as far as tourists are concerned. Most customers coming here come here for one very good reason: excellent cocktails in a very relaxed atmosphere. Gold is the primary color here (Reingold, get it?) and you can sit very comfortably for hours here listening to everything from jazz to electro house. The film crowd likes the place, especially during the Berlinale. Some say that these might just be the most generous barkeepers in town. Novalisstr. 11.
Or go through the Greendoor. There’s a lot that’s been said about this place, and all of it’s good. Berlin’s best bar, Germany’s best barkeeper, home of the world’s best Manhattan. Is it all true? You be the judge. They certainly mean business here, that’s for sure. Everybody comes here because everyone is welcome. You’ll try the Mojito Royal… if you’re smart. Winterfeldstr. 50, 10781 Berlin.
And don’t miss Harry’s New York Bar (www.esplanade.de). You won’t find a bigger selection of international cocktails. Bigger coincidentally means better in this case, by the way. Although “merely” a hotel bar, it’s located in the Esplanade Grand Hotel, Harry’s pianist offers the appropriate soundtrack to some of the best mixed drinks in town. Of course the drinks here are a bit on the expensive side here, but hey, let’s face it. Quality always has its price.