It's not just Munich that has a Hofbräuhaus - we also have one in Berlin. But that's not all: Berlin's pub culture is an integral part of the city's vibe and is as diverse as its residents themselves. From traditional Berlin corner pubs to football bars and real Irish pubs, we have put together the best addresses for your Berlin evening.
Tip 1: Enjoy BRLO - the Berlin original at KASCHK
BRLO epitomises the young craft beer movement in Berlin like no other brand. The name - pronounced: Berlo - is derived from the old Slavic word for Berlin and thus combines history with contemporary beer culture. Since its foundation, BRLO has established a firm place for itself on Berlin's drinks menus with beers full of character, sustainability and regionality.
From pale ale and spicy red ale to seasonal speciality beers and non-alcoholic alternatives, you can enjoy a wide range of beers from twelve taps in the BRLO Brwhouse & Biergarten, the KASCHK beer bar in Mitte (Linienstraße 40) or in BRLO Charlottenburg . Make yourself comfortable on the wide wooden benches in a modern, industrial ambience and enjoy!
When: Opening hours depending on location
Where: Three locations in Berlin
Tip 2: Scottish craft beer from the BREWDOGS
James and Martin, the two founders of BREWDOG, have a real success story to tell: Frustrated with the UK beer market, the pair started brewing in their own garage in 2007 - and from there managed to become Scotland's largest independent brewery in no time at all. Today, the boys have built up a global empire with their unique beer creations, which has also found a home in Berlin.
In three BREWDOG branches in Mitte, Friedrichshain and Marienfelde , you can sample the classic and more unusual beers from the two Scotsmen and enjoy crispy wings and a British attitude to life. And the BREWDOGS mean unusual: in 2010, the pair created a beer with an impressive 55% alcohol content, which was served from prepared animal skulls..
When: Opening hours depending on location
Where: Three locations in Berlin
Tip 3: Irish pub atmosphere in the Kilkenny Irish Pub at Hackescher Markt
The Kilkenny Irish Pub is located directly on Hackescher Markt , nestled in the historic arches of the S-Bahn railway and brings a piece of Ireland to the heart of Berlin. As soon as you enter, you feel like you're in a pub in Victorian Dublin: dark wood, copper brewing kettles, cobbled floors and Celtic murals create an authentic and charming ambience where the freshly tapped Guinness tastes twice as good.
In addition, there is the eponymous Kilkenny Red Ale, fresh cider, plenty of international beers, a fine selection of whiskeys - and a genuine Irish experience on top. Live music, sports broadcasts and a lively crowd make the Kilkenny Pub one of Berlin's favourite addresses, and not just among Irish people.
Tip: At Murphy Pubs you will also find a typical Irish atmosphere on the Spree and at Checkpoint Charlie (Zimmerstraße 19 & Schiffbauerdamm 1) - with a lively regular audienceand traditional live music - the latter even every evening!
When: Daily from 10 am to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 2 am
Where: Am Zwirngraben 17-20, Mitte
Tip 4: Kölsch, photos of the chancellor and carnival at the Permanent Representation
The Permanent Representation on Schiffbauerdamm is more than just a pub - it is a cult political pub with a Rhineland heart. The name is reminiscent of the diplomatic Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany in the GDR, which was based in East Berlin from 1974 until reunification. Today, instead of diplomatic endeavours, Gaffel Kölsch is served here in narrow glasses.
It is accompanied by Rhenish classics such as Flönz, Sauerbraten or Himmel un Ääd. The walls are adorned with photos of politicians and carnival celebrities and the clientele ranges from visitors to Berlin to members of the Bundestag. Located directly on the River Spree, this pub will enchant you with a pub experience that can otherwise only be found in Cologne: loud, lively and warm.
When: Daily from 11 am to 1 am
Where: Schiffbauerdamm 8, Mitte
Tip 5: Discover the Lemke brewery on Hackescher Markt
Immerse yourself in Berlin's lively beer culture and enjoy a freshly tapped Lemke beer in an atmospheric location! Here you will experience a blend of traditional brewing art and modern Berlin flair. Located right next to Hackescher Markt, Brauhaus Lemke is central, easy to reach and ideal for starting a fun evening or ending the day in a cosy atmosphere.
Insider tip: Try the seasonal speciality beers - there are often creative variations that are only available on site. Perfect for a cosy evening in good company - and maybe you want to move on straight away afterwards? You can find other Lemke branches at Schloss Charlottenburg (Luisenplatz 1) or at Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 13. You can buy freshly brewed Lemke beer from the farm from Monday to Friday between 1 and 6 pm at Rochstraße 6.
When: Daily from 11 am to 1 am
Where: S-Bahnbogen 143, Dircksenstraße, Mitte
Tip 6: Berlin beer culture meets pub flair at The Castle
With its move from Wedding to Mitte, The Castle Pub has not reinvented itself, but merely evolved a little - while retaining its genuine Berlin neighbourhood charm. The popular pub on Invalidenstraße has 20 taps and a drinks menu offering classics such as Guinness, Kilkenny and Pilsner as well as a changing selection of craft beer specialities.
In addition to the drinks, the look here is just right: warm wood tones, cosy booths and a sunny beer garden that invites up to 200 guests to enjoy a pint outside. Coffee and croissants are served from 8 a.m., followed by small snacks such as pastrami sandwiches and pizza. The Castle Pub combines international beer passion with Berlin down-to-earthness - making it a lively meeting place for everyone who loves beer and socialising.
When: Monday to Friday from 3 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm
Where: Invalidenstraße 129, Mitte
Tip 7: The great world of whisky at the Union Jack
Not far from Savignyplatz, Berlin's first traditional English pub awaits you in Charlottenburg: the Union Jack. The speciality and expertise here is whiskey - and there are over 1000 varieties on the menu: From Scottish classics to American bourbon and Japanese rarities, it's all here. But you'll also find other classics from the Kingdom behind the bar.
Guinness, Kilkenny and cider are served fresh from the barrel - in an ambience of dark wood and original British cosiness. If you want to delve deeper into the world of fine wines, you can take part in regular tastings or simply ask the bar team for advice. Small snacks such as chilli, soup or crisps provide the perfect basis. The Union Jack is simply made for long conversations and a slightly deeper look into the glass ..
When: Daily from 6 pm to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 6 pm to 1 am
Where: Schlüterstraße 15, Charlottenburg
Tip 8: pub flair and club culture in one at Birgit & Bier
Birgit & Bier on Kreuzberg's Schleusenufer is one of those places that you can only find in Berlin: a beer garden with neighbourhood charm during the day and an open-air club with a festival atmosphere in the evening . Between colourfully painted wooden benches, old bumper cars, disco balls and the remains of carousels, a unique ambience is created that looks like a mixture of a pub and an old fairground.
You can order your beer at the bar, make yourself comfortable on the vintage sofas and enjoy Neapolitan stone-oven pizza . When the sun goes down, it slowly gets louder on the premises: changing DJs play house, techno or 80s music on several floors and the crowd gets ready to dance. The perfect address for evenings when you just can't decide between a bar stool and the dance floor!
When: Daily from 2 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm
Where: Schleusenufer 3, Kreuzberg
Tip 9: Draft beer, good conversation and digital detox at Möve im Felsenkeller
Möve im Felsenkeller is one of those pubs that has retained its unique charm over the decades and is still considered a true Berlin original . Located in Akazienstraße in Schöneberg, the narrow, wood-panelled bar welcomes you with subdued lighting, an honest atmosphere and eight carefully selected beers on tap.
There's no music here, no slot machines or screens - but you can strike up a conversation so quickly that it's hard to find anywhere else. The colourful mix of guests includes regulars, artists, neighbours and beer thirsty people of all ages. If you're looking for an authentic Schöneberg pub experience, Möve is the place to go - and you're guaranteed to come back!
When: Daily except Sunday from 4 pm to midnight
Where: Akazienstraße 2, Schöneberg
Tip 10: Football, pilsner and chips at Tante Käthe
Fancy some football after a long walk through Mauerpark? The good old Tante Käthe (Auntie Käthe) - probably one of the most popular football pubs in Prenzlauer Berg- is just what you need. It is located right at the end of the park in a cosy, old Berlin brick building, where five screens for sports broadcasts, table football, dart boards and deliciously cool draught beers await you.
In the summer months, the building opens out into a spacious beer garden at the back, where you can cheer on your favourite teams under the dense canopy of trees on beer benches with chips and currywurst - a real paradise for football fans with a barbecue station and a direct view of the screen.
When: Daily from 5 pm
Where: Bernauerstraße 63-64, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 11: Subculture for 30 years at Eschschloraque
Since it was founded in the early 1990s, Eschschloraque in Haus Schwarzenberg has been an integral part of Berlin's alternative cultural scene. Tucked away in a second back courtyard near Hackesche Höfe, the bar and adjoining club room offer an ambience that has been preserved to this day. The interior consists of hand-picked furniture, industrial light sources and art installations that give the space an unmistakable signature.
So if you're looking for a Berlin time capsule where delicious cocktails await instead of dust, this is the place for you. During the day, the Eschschloraque serves as a quiet retreat and café, while in the evening the doors open for live concerts, DJ sets and performances. The musical orientation is experimental, open to all genres and - just like the audience - far removed from the mainstream.
When: Daily from 2 pm
Where: Rosenthaler Str. 39, Mitte
