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.

unkind stuff not…read moreagain

Caught it during the week on happy hour. OMG...great mexican food and huge servings. My buddy and…read moreI had huge meals and of course...German Beer and walked out paying around $50 USD for 2...very happy...yes we drank a lot of beer. Trendy place with lots of younger crowd. Not too fancy. Bar was super busy so prepare to wait a bit for drinks. Food came in about 15 minutes.

On a Sunday night, I was having a hard time finding anything open besides bars in Dortmund. I came…read morehere out of desperation and hunger even though I was incredibly skeptical of getting Mexican food in a small town in Germany. Once I get inside I couldn't get over my skepticism so I ended up ordering the burger. I was pleasantly surprised by it as it was cooked very well the ingredients were fresh.

This restaurant is not only adorable, but also delicious. The menus look like old children's books…read moreand the story of Hans im Glück is on the first page. The burgers are absolutely amazing along with the fries. If you enjoy cocktails, they have a fantastic selection for every taste.