The ambience in this dark, candlelit nook is so charming and peaceful, you'd never know you were a block from a loud and busy market. They offer exactly three distinct cocktails each evening, and the ones available when we visited demonstrated a profound understanding of balance, a sense of history and of place, and a playful will to innovate. The bar team infuse their spirits with fruit and spices and such. Our drinks were riffs on a manhattan, a mojito, and a martini. The balance of sweet, bitter, smoky, spicy, and citrusy delighted the senses, and the service was exceptional. Don't miss this gem! read more

My favorite speakeasy in Berlin, hands down. And in Cold War Berlin that's saying something. From the quiet, secretive vibe, to the hidden-house decor, to the fact that there's no menu, ever, Schwarze Traube feels like you're living ensconced in discovery. If you're lucky enough to be allowed in, you'll be offered 4 cocktails in exquisite detail. I've never been to a bar that takes more care in describing what's on offer to its customers. You feel like you're part of something. Because you are. This place is Cold War magic for the end times, for today, for all times. read more

Really scammy vibe to this place wouldn't recommend to any tourists or anybody on a budget Drinks are incredibly expensive and you'll be fleeced if they get the chance read more

We'd been at the market nearby and headed here for a drink. There's a sign on the door that says something like "knock and smile" - then you wait for someone to come to let you in. To be honest, I'm not really sure of the point of that but maybe some people enjoy the mystery/excitement. This place is super dark inside and also allows smoking. It made me feel like I was 18 again (not sure that's a good thing - I do not miss the days where people could smoke in bars!) The waitress came over, took a seat and talked to us about drinks. They have 4 drinks available per night and she ran through a description of each - I went for the gin based one, and Graeme got the rum one. Off she went to get them. Again, this felt a little over the top - why not just have a menu with the drinks on it? We got the drinks and they were perfectly pleasant. For €9 each maybe I'd like something a bit more adventurous and exciting. The other weird thing about this bar was that the toilet door didn't seem to lock and there was people sitting right opposite the door so that could've been awkward if someone tried to open the door. All up, this place is a 3 for me - it started as a 4 but as I wrote the review I realised there were too many odd things (and not in a cool, funky way) for it to justify a 4 star. read more

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This bar has a very interesting and unusual atmosphere. It's intimate and beautifully decorated and is a bit reminiscent of the places Christopher Isherwood describes in his stories of Berlin in the late 20s. There is no menu. Instead, there are four cocktails that change daily, but if none of them appeals to you then the bar will create a bespoke experience according to your taste and mood. The staff was knowledgeable, welcoming and warm, and the service itself was flawless, quick and efficient. The night I was there I ordered a gimlet (the best I've ever had) and the rest of my group ordered a lighter rum based drink which they all loved. The waitress made a point of telling us which drinks were stronger and which lighter so that we could order accordingly. The cocktails are a bit pricey by Berlin standards (10-12€ the night we were there), but you get what you pay for in this case. It was really a pleasure to spend the evening here, and I will definitely be going back soon! read more

We were the only people in the bar on a Sunday night, but as promised, the door was still locked and you had to "knock and smile" for entry. This small cocktail bar has a dark and eclectic design with friendly staff (who all spoke English & German). They have 4 daily drinks but will also make anything you request. We tried 3 of the 4 specials and enjoyed them all. Our favorite being the chocolate and dark rum drink topped with chili, which was our dessert for the night. These were well-crafted drinks with complex flavours. Definitely worth a visit if you're looking for something unusual. read more

A very cool cocktail lounge that looks meticulously layer out for guest seating. Only 4 cocktails available, but you can choose your flavor.

Great cocktail place in Kreuzberg close to the Markthalle 9. Very relaxed atmosphere and cool design. No cocktail list - instead the bartender comes to the table and asks u how u like ur cocktail. It's so much fun talking to the guy about what cocktail to get. In the end he got me a dark and stormy with a subtle ginger note. My friends had very different drinks - all with an interesting twist. They have a doorman and we had to wait some time to get in - absolutely worth waiting for! read more

The door is locked - so you actually have to knock on it for one of the waiters to open and let you in, something that makes this place feel a bit more like a slightly richer friend's party. When we came, half past one, the waiter looked at us with raised eyebrows - "It's quite late", he said. "But maybe still time for one drink?", my friend replied, and he opened the door and let us in. Once inside, the cocktails were very good (and a tad more pricey than other in the area at nine euroes a piece), the service is both very friendly and attentive and the vibe is great. It is indeed very different from other places I have visited in this part of town, and certainly not for all people with their looked-door policy and more posh-ish prices, but if you want great cocktails and friendly service in a different kind of bar, this is certainly something to try. read more

Well, this is definitely the best cocktail bar I've ever been to. The cocktails are very original with a unique flavor. They have daily cocktail suggestions instead of a regular cocktail card. You can literally build your own drink with the professional help of the friendly staff. What I find very important is that the cocktails are not too sweet which is usually the case in most of the bars. A part from that the bar is small but very cozy. Highly recommended place! read more

Great little cocktail spot. Really pretty inside and very good drinks. No menu if that tells you something. Bartender asked what spirits you like and they will create something just for you. TRUST! Love it! Smile! read more

Would have liked to try this place. Walked in solo at 10PM on a Sunday night and despite being almost empty they had really restrictive seating. Tried to sit at one open seat at the small bar and was asked to move to one of two barstools that were in horribly uncomfortable small spaces (I'm a big guy). I tried to negotiate a seat in one of the more open areas. Was told they needed to be kept open for bigger parties (empty now, mind you). Promptly said "THANKS GUYS" and walked out. read more

A small, cozy cocktail bar in a fairly quiet area of Kreuzberg. There is no menu, but the bartender is happy to question you (in German or English) and prepare you the perfect drink - using top-quality liquors accented with home-made simple syrups and bitters. Ask for the Monkey 47 gin. read more

Simply put: this is the best cocktail lounge I've ever been to! I understand that may seem an over exaggeration, but it is true (try it for yourself). There is no menu. Instead, you're asked what flavor profiles you want and they give it to you. This isn't a place to just get drunk. This is a place to relax and be overwhelmed by the overt and subtle flavors brought to you in a glass. Did I mention they speak English! The best comparison I can make is that what is done with alcohol is akin to what the rat in Ratatouille does with food. read more

Really nice location but way overrated. I ordered a Ramos gin fizz just to see if the so high rated bartender is worth the hype. Uhm.. Nope. He takes the order, we talk about what gin he'd recommended to use on the cocktail so I assume he knows his business. The drinks are getting mixed super slow but even sitting at the bar you can't see what's going on behind it. My drink is ready. No straw? I'm getting a lesson why straws are "ruining" the drinks. Dude give me a break! My drink is not what I ordered and here goes the next lecture: oh, because I didn't shake it for twelve minutes? No, because it's no cream in it hence it's not what I ordered. oh I forgot to mention we generally don't do drinks that involve cream. Well then thanks for letting me know after you served the drink that I had to wait forever because you're too cool to speed up a lil. Why are you taking the order in the first place? That question will stay unanswered I guess. Next drink old fashioned. Just way too sweet. Conclusion: fail if you order what you like. Next bummer: my friend arrives but the door to the bar is locked. I open the door for her and shortly after I get lectured again that I'm not supposed to open the door because they do. It's part of their concept. Well then be at the door! Trying to save some coins because the bartender is the bouncer as well? Jeez! read more

A colleague of mine has been going on and on about how great this place was and from what I've experienced, he was right. We only had 2 cocktails there each, but we were completely satisfied, staff were friendly and knew exactly they were doing. We're definitely going back but we might wait until the summer is over so we won't mind sitting inside. read more

This is a very lovely bar. The cocktails are quite extravagant and of superior quality. A good place to spend the whole night but also very good located to hit the clubs afterwards. read more

The cocktails are really something! They have 4 per night. My friend and I had the gin based one and we loved it. The only thing is that they didn't have any music and the prices were a little too over the top. But still, If you're looking for good cocktails, this is the place for you! read more

Amazing. Cozy and romantic and dim inside. Great date spot or with a couple of friends. The drinks are insanely good. Definitely choose on of the 4 that they create daily. No menu here - just genius. They make the flavors/chemistry of the drink meld with the taste of the alcohol instead of fighting it, so it all really compliments eachother and tastes great. It takes time, so be patient! Super friendly server who aims to please. read more