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YSY: A LISTENING BAR FOR COCKTAILS, JAZZ, AND LATE NIGHTS

YSY: A LISTENING BAR FOR COCKTAILS, JAZZ, AND LATE NIGHTS

Usually when walking down Frankfurter Allee, it’s a transit for me, a stretch of road between point A and point B. This time, it was the bar YSY, as it was Wednesday Jazz night. YSY is a listening bar built around taste, sound, and conversation. Walking in, the lighting does the work immediately: low red light, good music at the right volume, inviting you to stay longer than planned. Music sits at the center of the room, shaping the atmosphere without overwhelming it. The drinks match the room: a whiskey sour arrives balanced and beautifully presented, a solid 10 out of 10. The Weird Angel, made with pisco, Campari, lime, passion fruit, and Amargo Chunco, is playful and a little flirty, exactly the drink that makes you curious about the next one on the menu. At YSY, cocktails are less about formulas and more about character. The menu moves between timeless structures and original signatures shaped by memory and heritage, with subtle Persian influences appearing through housemade ingredients and syrups. Everything is prepared in-house, from syrups inspired by traditional flavor profiles to complex non-alcoholic drinks and iced teas. The bar was founded and designed by Nico Mohammadi, a musician and cultural producer who moved to Berlin after studying music in Graz and Brussels. Known as DJ Durbin, his work across sound and nightlife informs the space deeply, and YSY reflects: an environment where music is treated with the same attention as drinks and design. On jazz nights, the room lets the musicians have the space to express themselves and be appreciated while still leaving space for conversation, while on weekends the same sound system transforms the bar into a cozy club setting for DJs and late-night sessions. It’s a space that moves with the evening, from intimate and calm to vibrant and immersive, without ever losing its sense of ease. YSY combines high standards with an unpretentious attitude, whether you arrive for a quick drink after work, a quiet conversation in the corner, or to get completely lost in the music as the night unfolds.

Text: Stefania Basano / Photos: Ruby Watt

YSY, Frankfurter Allee 23, 10247 Berlin–Friedrichshain; map

@ysy.berlin
@dj_durbin

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TACO TUESDAYS & COCKTAILS AT RINGBAR

TACO TUESDAYS & COCKTAILS AT RINGBAR

And if there’s one thing that makes a cocktail even better, it’s something to snack on. That’s exactly what Ringbar is made for. A place to pop in for one drink, maybe two tacos, but somehow end up staying the whole evening. Instead of predictable bar food, find Mexican-inspired finger food with surprising twists: grilled cactus with caramelized onions and halloumi, or tacos filled with hibiscus blossom and bean paste. On the side, there’s homemade guacamole and spicy salsas for dipping and sharing. While you settle into the sofas, drinks are mixed behind the large red bar. Espresso martinis, classics, and ever-changing creations. Everything feels relaxed, unpretentious. Exactly the kind of place where you feel at home right away. Between candlelight, rough plaster walls, and rotating art exhibitions, time slips by almost unnoticed. And then there’s Tuesday. Taco Tuesday. The perfect excuse to stop in midweek. If you still have room, crispy churros are a sweet finale. Whether you’re meeting friends, grabbing a quick bite, or settling in for a long night of drinks, Ringbar is one of those spots you meant to visit briefly but end up lingering far longer than planned.

Text & Photos: Elisabeth Rogov

Ringbar, Schwarzast.1, 12055 Berlin–Neukölln; map

@ringbarberlin

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DER KLEINE AUGUST: A BUZZING NEW CORNER FOR FRENCH WINE IN MITTE — RECOMMENDED BY FIONA LAUGHTON
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DER KLEINE AUGUST: A BUZZING NEW CORNER FOR FRENCH WINE IN MITTE — RECOMMENDED BY FIONA LAUGHTON

Some discoveries feel distinctly Berlin: a quiet, gallery-lined street; a soft glow through the window on Mitte’s Auguststraße that carries a sense of instant belonging. Warm, unpretentious, and humming with energy, Der Kleine August is the kind of bar that invites you in — and convinces you to stay. The interior leans understated: textured surfaces, gentle lighting, shelves of French bottles that hint at depth rather than put it on display. The team, in their bleu de travail jackets, sets the tone quickly — welcoming, attentive, unfussy. Even in its early days, the bar operates with a natural ease. French wine culture is the anchor here, but without formality. The staff translates a thoughtful wine list into accessible, lively conversation. Whether you’re a casual drinker or deep into terroir talk, you’ll find a way in. The selection feels curated for character, not trends. Small plates keep pace: charcuterie sliced to order, cheeses chosen with intention, sardines by the tin—pairings that complement rather than compete. Everything encourages slow sipping, sharing, and, oops, staying longer than planned. What sets Der Kleine August apart is its mood — buzzing but calm, intimate without being insular. It sets the stage for first dates that fade into the background hum, friends huddled around tables, and solo guests who slip easily into the room’s rhythm. Grab a seat at the bar and witness a place that hosts as much as it serves. For anyone seeking a new wine bar in Mitte that balances quality with approachability, Der Kleine August lands confidently between the two. It’s a fresh addition to the neighborhood — and one that already feels here to stay.

Text: Fiona Laughton / Photos: Marie Staggat

Fiona Laughton is a Berlin-based strategist, writer, and founder of Present For The Future. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, she has been living in Berlin since 2013.

Der Kleine August, Auguststr.23, 10117 Berlin–Mitte; map

@derkleineaugust

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A LIVING ROOM AWAY FROM HOME — GARDINE OFFERS ALL THE COMFORTS, FROM NOSTALGIA TO FLAVOUR
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A LIVING ROOM AWAY FROM HOME — GARDINE OFFERS ALL THE COMFORTS, FROM NOSTALGIA TO FLAVOUR

Cozy is the keyword I look for in all those hidden gems riddled around Berlin. Wine bar? Yes, delicious coffee? Say no more, snacks? Count me in. Gardine is one of those places that hits all the right cozy notes to make you feel right at home. Personal touch is what draws us all in these days, spaces that don’t feel overly manicured, quirks and details and all those perfect imperfections that attribute to human comfort and connection. From the moment you approach Gardine’soutdoor seating, right up until you step inside, the warm tones, wooden floors, mosaic tables, soft edges. But most unexpectedly the bar is missing in action. Intentionally done, the no-bar approach really keeps the space open and homely for guests. The cafe slash wine bar has a beautiful nostalgic feel to it with each corner devoted to its own charm, an overall aesthetic paying homage to a blend of the 20s, 70s and 80s.

Gardine was opened by Audrey Davis from Ohio and Dan Khan from London. Meeting on New Year’s Eve of 2020 and quickly learning of their shared love for hosting while drawing inspiration from their grandmothers. The core values come together with a sense of family, friends, honesty and adventure, which is deliciously reflected in their menu. Serving a tight selection of coffee, snacks and wine with everything selected and curated in-house and seasonally. The food menu is centered around sourdough and pastry – suitable for breakfast and lunch, we personally love the rosemary cookie, pastrami sando and the pasta served with sesame sauce. The drinks menu is a blend of comfort coffee, matcha and a variety of natural wines which Dan describes as “half funky half classic”. Upon popular demand, small plates to serve as wine snacks will be coming to the menu soon. Dan and Audrey are community people tucked around Prenzlauer Berg and welcome artists, stylists, winemakers, florists and all sorts for pop-ups and collabs.

Text: Ruby Watt / Photos: Lisa Rogov

Gardine, Knaackstr.8, 10405 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map

@gardineberlin

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THE NEW LOCAL — CHILL WITH MONU IN KREUZBERG
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THE NEW LOCAL — CHILL WITH MONU IN KREUZBERG

Coffee, wine, snacks — some might say this is the holy trinity for diners. Monu has created the trifecta combining an intimate menu and setting with delicious flavours and hot coffee. After five years of running their mobile cocktail business, Phoebe and Gang, Ine Haesaert and Vivian Kuper decided to put down roots. They created a space that encourages guests to be present and enjoy café vibes during the day or a cheeky cocktail in the evening with loved ones. Stepping into Monu feels like a warm hug. The space emits a modern yet cozy feel with lots of natural materials. They opted for a neutral palette with hints of red and a variety of wines on display. The curation of the venue was personally seen to by Vivian with many pre-loved pieces, and her personal touch is found in every corner. The shared love for food, drinks and hospitality is tangible. Let’s talk food. The menus are split into three options: cocktails, snacks and coffee and pastry options. The coffee, most notably, was as hot as it comes. I often find it difficult to come by a decent coffee that’s hot enough to sip on; it reinforces slowing down and having that moment to yourself.

For evening dwellers, find cocktails and a selection of natural wines — perfect pairing with snack options. Signature cocktails include the Monu sour with jasmin and kaffir lime or the crowd favourite: spicy margarita chile poblano. Graze your way through the menu with delicious well-balanced flavours. Signature dishes include the potato gnocchi, red beet with whipped goat’s cheese, and Spanish anchovies on brioche with homemade chimichurri. Monu is open from Wednesday to Sunday and often organises special events to shake things up. On 31.10.2025 , chef Tracey Jane Harker from South Africa will come by to whip up something special so keep an eye out for details to come.

Text & photos: Ruby Watt

Monu, Monumentenstr.27, 10965, Berlin–Kreuzberg; map

@monu.berlin

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