On the top deck of a chichi hotel, self-consciously cool Mitte residents in various states of calculated dishevelment drink € 10 cocktails such as the London Buck, a tart and potent mixture of Bombay Sapphire, ginger beer and lemon juice. If you’re lucky enough to snag one of the few high benches, you’re granted a lovely view over central Berlin; otherwise, thanks to the obtrusive perimeter fence, it’s the TV Tower and not much else.
Auguststr. 43, Mitte, U-Bhf Rosenthaler Platz, Mon-Fri 16-close, Sat-Sun 14-close
Take the elevator up to the fifth-floor parking garage of the Neukölln Arkaden and you’ll find this chill if hipster-infested hotspot, brought to you in part by the folks behind Fuchs und Elster. Pass art installations and an urban garden to find a fantastic bird’s eye view of the city. You can grab a beer (€2.50) or a long drink (€5) and hang out on the homemade wooden platforms or picnic tables as you watch bands play on the raised stage.
Karl-Marx-Str. 66, Neukölln, U-Bhf Rathaus Neukölln
If you’re jonesing for a taste of opulence but can’t afford €415 for a room, head up to the luxury hotel’s rooftop bar for a drink and unimpeded views of the neighbouring Berlin Cathedral and Staatsoper (under renovation). Provided you can shell out €15 for a cocktail, this is the prettiest, most lavish rooftop experience Berlin has on offer.
Behrenstr. 37, Mitte, S+U-Bhf Friedrichstr., daily 12-22
Originally published in issue #118, July/August.
