Usually my expectations on service are low in Germany (usually not bad but not as customer oriented…read moreas I would like to see) but at Balke they really managed to be really horrible. We came here in a Saturday evening when it was at most half-full. We places our cocktail orders and then waited, after 10 minutes when others who ordered after us got their cocktails (we ordered slightly more complex ones so we only saw gin tonics and run and coke delivered) we asked the waitress- response was just "I know, wait". Another 10 minutes went by and we once again asked and now were told they forgot - no apology just stating they forgot and that they would be straight up. Still no apology and then another 10 minutes had gone and we could see more cocktails being delivered to guests arriving after us. When we asked again they had not even started making the cocktails - so 30 mins or so wasted and no cocktails. Clearly no structure and to be a place that pretends to be into cocktails they just make simple stuff (they where only serving glasses of gin or rum and let the guests mix it tonic or coke themselves). We told them we were leaving - again no apology. Would not come back even if paid to.

From the owner: COCKTAILS Qualität ist das oberste Gebot bei allen unseren…read moreDrinks. Auch für unsere Mixgetränke und Cocktails verwenden wir ausschließlich hochwertige Zutaten. 2010 landete das Balke im Playboy-Barguide unter den 100 besten Bars Deutschlands. 2011 wurde das Balke vom Marcellino's unter allen Bars im gesamten Ruhrgebiet auf Platz 2 gewählt. 2013 wurde das Balke als einzige Dortmunder Bar im Mixology Barguide aufgeführt. FUSSBALL Wir übertragen alle Spiele des BVB auf Leinwand und mehreren Bildschirmen. Zusätzlich zu den regulären Öffnungszeiten öffnen wir bei BVB-Heimspielen 2,5 Std. vor Anpfiff und bei BVB-Auswärtsspielen 1,5 Std. vor Anpfiff.

Had an excellent evening. Drinks were great and the service was quick. Be there early as the seats…read moreby the window are the best!

Still happy about joining the basic intro to becoming a bartender with Romano. But, the place…read morechanged over the last three years. While waitress service is still great the quality of the cocktails isn't state of the art anymore. Don't get me wrong, it's still a bit above average, just not perfect. This speak easy style bar always used to be my favorite, but I can't say it still is.

This is a really cool bar that has a speakeasy feel to it. The bartender knows how to make a good…read moredrink based on your preferences, however, they also have a nice menu for their specialty drinks. The cool part about this place is that they make their own bitters, something that can't be said of most places. This place is small so I wouldn't wander in with a group larger than 4 heads. 5 stars.

Fantastic views of Düsseldorf. The only bar worth visiting. We tried hotel Nikko, Intercontinental,…read moreHyatt ... Seriously Düsseldorf you don't know how to make a good bar in a top hotel.... They all felt like airport departure lounges But this Skylounge is the tops. And the prices are certainly not ridiculous... Good size helpings on the bar snacks. It's very quiet Sunday afternoons - crazy busy Friday and Saturday evenings and very pleasant Monday to Thursday for late evening drinks it proved.

I have been here a couple of times, and the bar seems to be quite empty on working days till 19:00,…read morebut pretty much overfilled on Fri and Sat evenings. So, you might want to make a reservation on those 2 nights. The view is indeed fantastic, so if you are looking for that - it is a great place to be. However, do note that the drinks are somewhat overpriced, e.g. a coffee costs 4.5€ which is clearly above Dusseldorf average in terms of price, but is nothing special in terms of quality. Overall: awesome design and lights, neat waiters, wonderful view, but drinks do not offer a good price-quality ratio. I have never eaten here.

unkind stuff not…read moreagain

Nice bar, staff very friendly. Spoke a little English and even put on an English Premiership game…read moreon for me on request.