Berlin

In doorman we Trust

Since single glasses are not an option here, you’ll have to trust everyone and share in that very Berlin spirit of calculatedly unpretentious exclusivity and togetherness – that's having the ‘Trust experience’.

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Photo by Sigrid Malmgren

Trust Bar is the lovechild of a handsome trio: Cookie and Marcus Trojan, the owners of two of Berlin’s most famous clubs – Cookies and Weekend, respectively – and photographer Sascha Kramer.

Unsurprisingly they’re keen that it remains a secret place, i.e. a place for desirable people, people you know or want to know, the typical Berlin thing. Of course the entrance is totally inconspicuous, situated on a dirty patch of Torstraße. Don’t get discouraged by the dark door. Ring the bell and peep through the hole: you’ll see the light switch on. Then wait for somebody to open the door and let you in… if you look appropriate, it goes without saying.

The interior is rough meets cosy, shabby yet fancy. Imagine one of your flatmates suddenly won the lottery and put it all into a smart makeover of the WG’s living room. The walls are raw and messy, with a little gold paint in places. The light flickers, but that’s what it’s meant to do. Sit or lie down on the central futon, have a chat about life and enjoy the music. Now you’re having the ‘Trust experience’.

Since single glasses are not an option here, you’ll have to trust everyone and share in that very Berlin spirit of calculatedly unpretentious exclusivity and togetherness. Go for a small bottle (2cl) of the home-brand vodka: Trust red label starts at €22 with two soft drinks, and it’s €10 more for the black-labeled variety. Or if you’re feeling decadent and rather flush, sample the champagne: a bottle of Ruinard rosé will set you back €160.

Cash-strapped Trustees should stick to the soft drinks or hope for someone to be in that merry, sharing mood encouraged here, a mood that evidently extends to the bathroom concept: each individual toilet is separated by sliding doors, so bathroom buddies are free to pop over for conversation, a peak at their neighbor’s leak, or sharing of some other sort.