This was a tough star rating, because there are definitely things I really enjoy about CIU but things I am so so indifferent to as well. I wanted to give it more a 3.5 star rating but (don't laugh!) I can not figure out yet how to scroll to a half star. Maybe it is something special for "professional Yelper" to access, but right now I am earning my wings by rating my favorite things :)
Ok, so what do I like about CIU? The atmosphere, the pretty looking bar arrangement, the music, and coming with a friend or friends in a group for cocktails to get yourself prepared to go clubbing/dancing somewhere later if you come on the weekend. If you come during the week, its nice to grab a high table behind the bar, order some world class drinks with fruits hanging all over the place that practically overwhelm the glass itself, and enjoy music with a friend and feel like you kinda went out, but without really doing it up too crazy.
What is just okay about the place? Location, it is a bit of a walk unless you are driving by car or dropped off by taxi. If you are wearing flat shoes, it is no problem at all, but if you are wearing heels and getting off at Jungfernstieg, then its a bit of a "spazieren gehen" lovely scenic walk as they might say in Germany. At least you can walk up Ballindamm next to the lake, I mean the Alster just makes everything THAT much BETTER :) The food is also just "okay" and they stop serving kinda early, considering most people like to drink and eat a bit later here, since it is busier between 7pm and 10pm, so if you try to come late to beat the cocktail rush, you also miss the opportunity to eat.
The menu mainly consists of pizzas, salads, pastas and some general appetizers. The drinks really is the real reason most people come here and the music as they have a live DJ that spins good tracks. For girls and even guys who are not shy to drink a cocktail with an elaborate fruit arrangement sprouting out of the glass, their specialty drinks here are nice to try and taste like an alcoholic dessert more or less. I sometimes am in the mood to enjoy a good martini, but I tried to order it here once and I was not crazy about it. Martinis are not made equally in Europe vs. the US. And funnily enough, James Bond was in international man of mystery who loved Martinis, so I wonder where he ordered his???? read more