11 Awesome Outdoor Locations in Berlin

11 Awesome Outdoor Locations in Berlin

photo: Haubentaucher

The season of skulking through the dark nightclubs and dirty bars of Berlin is over, guys! It’s time to go outside and enjoy the sun. Well, we might not have a very long and intense summer here in Berlin (sadly). But those golden days that we get, we like to use as much as we can. And where do we like to go? Every where we can have a drink without a roof over a head. Preferably something with a view, or inside the green, or at the water. Well, luckily we have plenty of places in Berlin that fulfill these criteria and we’ve selected 10 of our favorite ones including some old classics and some brand new hotspots. Enjoy our list of awesome outdoor locations!

read more…

Exploring Berlin: Shopping and Food in Neukölln

Exploring Berlin: Shopping and Food in Neukölln

When it comes to finding unique shops, restaurants and cafes, there’s no better place than Neukölln. The district has become a paradise of off-kilter vintage boutiques, with a focus on buying local and a refined aesthetic that keeps the chain stores and shopping malls at bay. The innovative spaces of Neukölln create the perfect balance between a unique shopping experience and a vibrant nightlife scene. The hip district welcomes you to stroll through the streets, enjoy the start of summer and perhaps stumble upon some new (or used) treasures. To help you navigate your way through all the different kiezes, we’ve put together a guide to lead you into our favorite spots. We’re introducing a selection of newly opened stores along with some old favorites. Check out our list after the jump. For more recommendations of the district please also see our first Neukölln guide with more places in it. read more…

A Guide to Bikini Berlin & The New West

A Guide to Bikini Berlin & The New West

Bikini Berlin

Today we want to take a closer look at the Bikini Berlin and the areas around it with all its little gems and treasures. Since the opening of the mall last year a lot has happened in the good old West and all of a sudden everyone was speaking of a renaissance of West Berlin. A couple of high profile hotels opened in the area, new restaurants popped up, a new luxury cinema, the C/O Gallery finally re-opened after its move away from Mitte. And these are just a few of the new developments of the City West. It was about time that we explored this area and compile a little guide for you of the new West Berlin with the Bikini Berlin at its core. Enjoy our selection after the jump!

read more…

The Heimat Bazaar & Street Food Market at Neue Heimat

The Heimat Bazaar & Street Food Market at Neue Heimat

In the past couple of days the fabulous Neue Heimat celebrated their season opening with a program full of street food, design booths, concerts and parties in their wonderful location at the area of the RAW in Friedrichshain. From now on Neue Heimat will be open from Thursdays til Sundays with live music, bars and snacks on Thursday and Friday night and street food and design markets on the weekend. Look out for special events and parties as well – this place is amping up for a fun 2015 season. We went to their new design market that has some well curated product, fashion and jewelry designers as well as artists and illustrators selling some cool stuff. The Heimat Bazaar is going to happen from now on every first Saturday of the month. Of course there is again going to be lots of street food at Neue Heimat, especially during their weekly Village Market on Sundays including newbies Tatas with their delicious waffles and their new invention the muffles, as well as awesome egg dishes from The Future Breakfast. Of course their are also the beloved favorites from last year such as the Italian sandwiches by Pic Nic 34 and the Schnitzel Burger by Schneeweiß. Check out our impressions after the jump on two pages.

read more…

Season Opening of the Neue Heimat – Photos

Season Opening of the Neue Heimat – Photos

photo: Yulia Belousova

Yesterday the streetfood temple Neue Heimat celebrated their summer Season Opening. Thanks to all the great visitors the place is going to be open from Thursdays to Sundays from now on – that means finally during the week as well! This add-on was and still is celebrated with lots of highlights during the Easter weekend.

The kick-off was made by Dutch singer Qeaux Qeaux Joans who presented her second album “The Ritual” being accompanied by the Berliner Camerata.The combination of classic, pop and electronic elements paired with her voice created a great atmosphere among the audience sitting and standing around her. Just as the little orchestra helped her sometimes similar voice to Banks or Leslie Clio creating new worlds of sound. Once again food lovers could indulge at the wine or oyster bar, as well as at one of the many great food-stalls. Afterwards Natalia Escobar and Adeline provided the appropriate beats at the turntables. We definetly recommend you to stop by during the Easter weekend to enjoy the special program they have put together.

read more…

Berlin Goods: Drink Syndikat – Creative Drinking Anytime

Berlin Goods: Drink Syndikat – Creative Drinking Anytime

Berlin’s nice bars and – admittedly – Don Draper have played a significant role in my interest in drinks past wine, beer and vodka soda. There are plenty of great bars and talented barkeepers in this city that can make your mouth happy when it longs for something more experimental than those “standard” liquids.

But there are nights, when I don’t feel like hanging out in a smoky bar, but want to shake and twist a little at home to whip up a great drink. I usually end up with just a glass of wine, because I neither have the energy to research what I could easily mix nor do I want to have huge bottles of ingredients rotting away on my shelves.

The Berlin-based start-up Drink Syndikat now presents the perfect solution to all those issues. Each month drink expert and founder Erik Pfauth assembles a box with high quality ingredients to a total of six drinks, which you can order directly to your house. A little booklet tells you what you can mix from those ingredients as well as the history of the drinks and origin of the spirits.

I spoke with Erik about his business and the best Bars in Berlin…

read more…

Exploring Berlin: The Hotspots of Potsdamer Straße

Exploring Berlin: The Hotspots of Potsdamer Straße

photo: Philipp Langenheim

For the longest time, Potsdamer Straße in Tiergarten has been a forgotten place famous only for its theatre and a couple of national museums. But in recent years, the street has developed into a melting pot for contemporary art with countless new galleries, and a few additions to the world of avant-garde fashion as well. In this guide we will discover all the new and exciting places, along with a few classics. Click on to tour the hotspots of this bustling street. read more…

Twinpigs: A Damn Fine Cocktail Bar

Twinpigs: A Damn Fine Cocktail Bar

Since their opening in April 2014, friends have been telling me to check out the charismatic new Neukölln watering hole, Twinpigs, and the hype has only been building. I’m quite fond of the type of neighborhood bar that doesn’t seem to disappoint (who isn’t?) and as I stepped into Twinpigs for the first time, I knew it was going to be the first of many. The brainchild of a Chilean architect and a Swedish filmmaker, Twinpigs literally happened overnight. After deciding to open their own bar, the two seized the opportunity to take over the serendipitously freed space of a former Boddinstraße speakeasy. After putting in a lot of hard work, love, creativity and dedication, Twinpigs was born. If you enjoy strong drinks, craft beer, and a great atmosphere, click on and see why Twinpigs should be your new favourite hangout.

read more…

Exploring Berlin: The Hotspots of Wedding & Gesundbrunnen

Exploring Berlin: The Hotspots of Wedding & Gesundbrunnen

Neighboring districts Wedding and Gesundbrunnen can be seen as the Northern counterpart to the hip district of Neukölln, with its numerous cafés, bars, clubs and meeting points. Less gentrified than some other districts, these neighborhoods attract a more mature, eccentric and mixed crowd, and houses many attractions to accommodate. We’ve scouted out some interesting places to check out, whether you’re in the mood for a weekend of partying or just taking a stroll through the park. Click on to see the places loved by locals, and venture into some the coolest places in Wedding and Gesundbrunnen.

read more…

Meet Sophia, Berlin’s Resident Vegan Expert

Meet Sophia, Berlin’s Resident Vegan Expert

Vegan subcultures have been spreading like wildfire in Berlin, and Sophia (journalist, food blogger and vegan extraordinaire) is here to show us the ropes. Her creative and colorful recipes are inspiring, and her passion for food is infectious. Since 2011, Sophia Hoffmann has been sharing her own delicious and innovative recipes on her blog assuring the world that animal products are not needed to create beautiful, delicious and nutritious meals. If you thought veganism couldn’t be fun, healthy and enjoyable as a lifestyle, think again. Sophia is here to bring light to vegan living with her themed vegan dinners, restaurant recommendations and the launch of her exciting new cookbook. Learn more about this quirky lady and let her spruce up your vegan experience in Berlin with events and ideas after the jump.

read more…