There is a reason Monkey Bar keeps appearing on every Berlin rooftop list. The 10th-floor terrace of the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin commands one of the most arresting views in the city — straight over the treetops of the Tiergarten, with the Berlin Zoo directly below. On a clear evening, the sight of elephants moving through the enclosures beneath you while you sip a Negroni is, without exaggeration, unlike anything else in any bar we know.
The cocktail list is smart rather than showy. A Spritz comes with a seasonal twist, the Monkey Collins is made for long evenings, and the bar's take on a Sour is among the most consistent we have tried in the city. Pricing is hotel-bar standard for Berlin — expect to pay around €14 to €18 per cocktail — but the setting more than earns the premium. Inside, the design plays to Berlin's love of raw concrete and warm timber, and the indoor bar functions well on rainy evenings when the terrace is closed.
The terrace fills fast on summer weekends. We recommend arriving no later than 5:30pm if you want outdoor space without a wait. On weeknights, walk-in access is rarely a problem. It draws a mixed crowd: hotel guests, West Berlin professionals, tourists who have done their homework. The atmosphere tilts casual — this is not a jacket-required situation — but people tend to dress up slightly, as rooftop bars encourage.
For the full Berlin bar experience, pair this with an evening at Victoria Bar in Schoneberg for a contrast in style. If you are spending time in East Berlin, our rooftop bar guide for the city covers both sides of the former divide.
The house long drink. Gin, elderflower, cucumber water, lemon, tonic. Clean, botanical, and built for sitting on a terrace for two hours.
The bar's rotating Negroni riff, made with a German gin and a seasonal vermouth. Usually the most interesting thing on the menu.
Prosecco, elderflower, a bitter liqueur from a local Berlin producer, and soda. Light, slightly floral, and correct for the view.
Monkey Bar keeps a solid rotating German draft on tap. On warm evenings, a well-poured pilsner at 400 metres above Berlin Zoo is not to be underestimated.
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