Berlin
The natural-wine wave reshaped Berlin's wine bars — these are the ten worth a Friday evening. The wine bars on this list span every neighbourhood worth a trip — the central districts all show up — and every price tier from a $5 local pour to a $25 hotel-bar tasting. Each bar earns its spot for a different reason. We have visited every one.
CHARLOTTENBURG · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
A-Trane draws a steady local crowd in Charlottenburg. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
THE CENTRE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Amano Bar is the rooftop of Hotel Amano in Mitte. The view is good rather than spectacular — the central Berlin skyline including the TV Tower — and the cocktai. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
MITTE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
B-Flat Acoustic Music & Jazz draws a steady local crowd in Mitte. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.
MITTE · $ · COCKTAIL BARS
Bar 3 draws a steady local crowd in Mitte. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.
THE CENTRE · $$$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Bar am Steinplatz is the cocktail bar of the heritage Hotel am Steinplatz in Charlottenburg. The room is preserved 1920s Berlin — leather banquettes, dim warm l. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
MITTE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Tausend Cantina draws a steady local crowd in Mitte. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
CHARLOTTENBURG · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Bar Zentral draws a steady local crowd in Charlottenburg. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.
MITTE · $$$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Tausend Bar draws a steady local crowd in Mitte. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.
THE CENTRE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Becketts Kopf — meaning 'Beckett's Head' — is named for Samuel Beckett, with a sculpted bronze head of the writer mounted above the bar. The room is dim, intent. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
MITTE · $$ · SPORTS BARS
Belushi's Berlin draws a steady local crowd in Mitte. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for match days and group bookings. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
Use this guide either as a single curated route through Berlin or as a checklist to revisit over a long weekend. Reservations are flagged where they matter. Otherwise, walk in. Below: the ten wine bars that any serious drinker in Berlin would tell you to put on the list.
A-Trane draws a steady local crowd in Charlottenburg. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
Amano Bar is the rooftop of Hotel Amano in Mitte. The view is good rather than spectacular — the central Berlin skyline including the TV Tower — and the cocktai. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
Looking beyond Berlin? See our guide to the best wine bars worldwide, or compare wine bars city by city.