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LOVIS BAR — DISCOVER THE UNIQUE, NUMBERED COCKTAILS AT HOTEL WILMINA

LOVIS BAR — DISCOVER THE UNIQUE, NUMBERED COCKTAILS AT HOTEL WILMINA

As you cross the threshold of Lovis Bar at Hotel Wilmina in Charlottenburg, “cozy” is the word that immediately comes to mind. Formerly a women’s prison in the late 19th century, this striking cocktail den – characterized by its high vaulted ceiling and dim lighting – is the perfect spot for a pre-dinner aperitivo or a late-night drink. Guiding you on your journey through the bar’s offerings is Nils Lutterbach, the bar manager, who previously worked at Galander in Kreuzberg before being tapped to open Lovis. The bar’s philosophy revolves around minimalist, taste-focused mixology, with a particular emphasis on German, Swiss, and Austrian brandies. While brandies are the star of the menu, high-quality spirits such as bourbon, gin, scotch, and rum also feature prominently for classic cocktail lovers. One of Lutterbach’s favorite ingredients is Woodford Reserve Bourbon: Praised for its versatility and rich notes of fruit and chocolate, it brings depth and vibrancy to any classic or bourbon-forward cocktail. A must-try is the “Number 13”: a dry yet potent cocktail featuring Woodford Reserve bourbon, fat-washed with cacao butter, Oloroso sherry, cherry brandy, coffee liqueur, coffee eau-de-vie, and sweet vermouth. You might wonder why the drinks are named with numbers instead of more traditional or playful titles? The reasoning is simple: Lovis prefers not to distract from the essence of the drink itself. In keeping with this minimalist approach, the back bar is devoid of recognizable booze brands, opting instead for unlabelled bottles, inviting guests to make their choices uninfluenced by branding. If you’re looking for another standout option, we recommend “Number 83,” a delicate yet complex mix of distilled rice brandy, Mirabelle brandy, and coconut water. It’s Lutterbach’s personal favorite — and likely to become yours, too.

Text: Yolanda Evans / Photos: Robyn Steffen

Lovis Bar, Kantstr.79, 10627 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map

Woodford Brown-Forman-Distillery
Please drink responsibly.

@lovisrestaurant
@woodfordreserve

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BAR ZENTRAL: WHERE LOCALS & INTERNATIONALS MEET FOR CLASSIC COCKTAILS WITH A MODERN TWIST

BAR ZENTRAL: WHERE LOCALS & INTERNATIONALS MEET FOR CLASSIC COCKTAILS WITH A MODERN TWIST

Looking for a spot where exceptional cocktails meet a cozy, inviting atmosphere? Bar Zentral in West Berlin has you covered. Nestled under the S-Bahn in Charlottenburg, this iconic neighborhood spot owned by former Green Door bartenders, Torsten Bender and Sebastian Mathow, attracts international and locals alike with its playful classic cocktails with a modern twist. When you finally visit this bar, you’ll likely meet head bartender Emir Sombecki as he prepares cocktails for your drinking pleasure. Being that there are many superb cocktails to choose from, we suggest you order the Piñata, an elevated version of the classic Pina Colada. Be prepared to be blown away by this milk-clarified cocktail made with pineapple, three kinds of rum – Botucal Planas white rum and two Jamaican rums – served with absinthe coconut foam resulting in a creamy, textured drink with a tropical feel that will have you pretending that you’re in some hot far-flung island. Sticking with the tropical vibe, the menu consists of upscale variations of Daiquiris, as well as Negroni and Martini because you can never go wrong by ordering one of these. With an ever-revolving menu change (at least three times a year), be mindful that you’re on borrowed time to order the Piñata, so make plans to head to Bar Zentral as soon as possible.

Text: Yolanda Evans / Photos: Savannah van der Niet

Bar Zentral, Lotte-Lenya-Bogen 551, 10623 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map

@bar_zentral

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A CULINARY TRIP THROUGHOUT INDIA WITH NAVI IN GRAEFEKIEZ

A CULINARY TRIP THROUGHOUT INDIA WITH NAVI IN GRAEFEKIEZ

For those of us who live in Neukölln, it’s not surprising that Mausi, which opened less than two months ago, is already buzzing with regulars. While the kiez has bars and cafés aplenty, there are few spots to reliably visit at any time of day. Founders Romy and Dustin who also own Torte Bar, together with managers Cindy and Alisa, agreed that the space should be an all day hangout, complete with coffee, cocktails, and a food offering. They wanted to take the community feeling from the evenings at Torte, and bring it to the day somewhere else: that feeling can now be found at Mausi. The space itself sits about a hundred – two long rooms of seated dining reach either direction of this street-corner, the bar dotted with high-stools, and an outdoor courtyard, flanked with hedges to help keep in the heat in these colder months. The impressive polished wooden ceiling reflects the bar-restaurant’s warm lighting and stained glass windows. It’s Queer-friendly, laptop unfriendly, best enjoyed analogue.

Start the day with a croissant and coffee, or enjoy their lunch and dinner menu by chef Alana, with all dishes possible as their usual serving size, or in larger “pot” sizes to share with friends. The menu is vegetarian and vegan focused, with dishes such as “Grüne Soße” (a Frankfurt favorite and nod to Romy and Dustin’s home city) with potatoes and egg, mushroom arancini, or my highlight – the unagi aubergine with baked celeriac and tahini cream. The drink menu has beer, wine and classics, with experimental twists like “Matcho” matcha cocktail with pisco, or the vodka-based “Pinocchio” with pistachio, lemon and green pepper. As for the name? You’ll notice Mausi written on the outside wall by the door. Tagged there already when they decided to open, complete with a love heart over the i, they thought – why not leave it as it is, and call it by its kiez-given name? So now Mausi sits, its name lit up in a tiny frame.

Text and Photos: Savannah van der Niet

Mausi, Richardplatz 1, 12055 Berlin–Neukölln; map

@mausi.berlin

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LIGHT-SPIRITED OR BOLD AND BOOZY? — POP-UP BAR NOX SERVES INNOVATIVE SMALL PLATES AND COCKTAILS

LIGHT-SPIRITED OR BOLD AND BOOZY? — POP-UP BAR NOX SERVES INNOVATIVE SMALL PLATES AND COCKTAILS

When it comes to cocktails, I am pretty hard-bitten. Too smooth and sweet and I won’t be able to savor my drink in little, slow sips. It has to be bitter, bold and spine-tingling, thank you. No surprise, then, that my elixir of choice at Nox, the pop-up cocktail and tapas bar on Pannierstraße, is a drink called the “dirty”. Billed as a Tom Collins on a wild rendezvous with a Dirty Martini, it blends Gin Mare with olive, celery, apple and soda for a sharp and herby taste without being wince-inducing. Cheers, chin-chin and “Prost” to that. As for Nox itself, the bar was opened in September 2024 by a mixologist-turned-foodie trio: Arun Naagenthira Puvanendran of Kink, Nico Zillmann from bar Lost my Voice and Max Mössmer from Krass Böser Wolf. They joined forces to open a temporary location that is part small plates, part speakeasy. Drinks-wise, the menu is innovative and – if you like your tipples sweeter than I do – full of light, bright sippable cocktails like the “yellowish” with Herradura Plata tequila, kalamansi fruit, yellow tomato, turmeric and honey. The food, meanwhile, is served tapas style by chefs Julius and Martin but will certainly fill you up if needed.

The likes of the Thai Parmigiana di Melanzane, oysters and a Camembert Pastéis de Nata make indulgent accompaniments to the drinks. If you want more extensive eats, you can reserve a table at the back and get served a surprise menu. Nox is open for early doors Wednesday to Friday and runs gender-diverse nights on Saturday as a collab with the folks at Stueck bar. Best be quick, though – Nox is (sadly!) only open until the end of the month…

Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Robyn Steffen

Nox Pop-up, Pannierstr.57, 12047 Berlin–Neukölln; map

Runs until 01.11.2024. You can reserve a table here.

@nox.cocktailbistro

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OH HOW DELICIOUS IS THE CARIBBEAN — MODERN CARIBBEAN-FILIPINO-POLYNESIAN FUSION CUISINE & RUM COCKTAILS AT CASA DON PAPA

OH HOW DELICIOUS IS THE CARIBBEAN — MODERN CARIBBEAN-FILIPINO-POLYNESIAN FUSION CUISINE & RUM COCKTAILS AT CASA DON PAPA

When the summer is over and Christmas is already looming but you can’t feel the magic of wintery weather yet, fall is at its lowest point. The desire to go on vacation is strong but it’s usually impossible to do so. Oh how nice it would be somewhere with palm trees, sand and sun… you think to yourself as the rain runs down the office windows. Perhaps this is the time to take a vacation in your city. To escape for an evening into a Caribbean-Filipino-Polynesian world. For four weeks (03.–31.10.2024, Thursdays to Saturdays), this is now possible in the Pink Room of the Bellboy Berlin Bar, where two Berlin boys Nawid Samawat and Tarek Nix invite you to Casa Don Papa — a pop-up bar with exclusive rum-based drinks in partnership with Don Papa Rum, bringing that sweet vacation mood right to the heart of our favorite city. Modern creations featuring the Philippines’ first premium single-island rum taste of vanilla, honey and candied fruit thanks to more than seven years of aging.

Bartender Nix, co-founder of the legendary Milk Punch Boys, skillfully pours them into the glasses, along with the “Limo 2000”, the non-alcoholic alternative. The interpretation of traditional Filipino iced tea captivates with citrus freshness and fruity, tingling notes. To satisfy our desire for escapism and wanderlust, Samawat, co-founder of Chicago Williams, conjures interpretations of South Pacific cuisine. It will be salty, crunchy, umami and sweet — and not at all Berlin. How wonderful a night of vacation can be!

Text: Alina Herbel / Photos: Alexander Hoppe

The Pink Room, Mohrenstr.30, 10117 Berlin–Mitte; map
Casa Don Papa pop-up 03.–31.10.2024. Book a table here.

@casa_don_papa_berlin
@pinkroom.berlin
@tareknixon
@nawidsamawat

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