Since summer 2019 this cocktail bar has been the talk of the town, or at least Kreuzkölln. Brutal 54 was a previously hidden speakeasy, but its space in the Hobrechtstrasse is now open for all. Co-owners Silvan and Maarten transformed the former Raumfahrer bar into a sleek and concept-strong interior with beautiful lighting. Here, less is more, and the surroundings ooze with as much taste as the cocktail list. As a firm lover of both whisky and sake, one of my favorite concoctions brings these together with real panache, topping it off with a garnish of frozen kaffir lime leaves. Come to Brutal at the weekend and you’ll find the space absolutely buzzing. You can definitely arrive unaccompanied and find a space inside to call your own, settling down with a fresh and potent negroni. If it’s a casual weeknight beer you prefer, the bar seats provide the perfect perch. (Text: Georgie Pope / Photos: Savannah van der Niet)
Georgie Pope is a curator working for the likes of Independent Collectors and the Boros Collection.
Brutal 54, Hobrechtstr.54, 12047, Berlin–Neukölln; map
Tue–Sat, from 20h
@brutal54berlin
