East meets west at Berlin, where the luxurious and opulent east Germany (white banquettes, crystal curtains, low lighting and throbbing beats) crashes loudly into the west - a punk mix of black steel bunk beds, 80s tabletop video games and scratchy woollen blankets. Drinks are in the ‘hey! We're using a lot of ingredients and we love sugar!’ vein but they'll make you something simple if you ask. Or maybe you’d like to try a Frühschoppen - mezcal, sauvignon blanc, dry vermouth, sage, juniper, grapefruit and bitters, served in a wine glass. It’s the least sweet thing on the list, which also includes a beetroot and white-chocolate number and even a drink that incorporates roast duck. There's talent behind the bar, to be sure, but they're unfortunately hiding behind a fairly underwhelming cocktail list. There's always beer, though, or wine. This laneway bar, up a few flights of stairs, is only accessible via a locked door - the bartenders have to buzz you in - but it's kinda cool. It's all industrial metal and dark corners, perfect for canoodling, plotting and masterminding. Jawohl!
The City Bar Crawl
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