Lemon Leaf at Berlin's NH Collection hotel runs an Asian-spirit cocktail program with shochu, baiju and Japanese whisky; the room runs late and walks up easily.
Food program: Snacks
Tip: Hotel bar, walk-ups welcome. The Japanese whisky flight is the order for a quiet weekday.
Address: Wallstrasse 70-73, 10179 Berlin
Fragrances at the Ritz-Carlton on Berlin's Luetzowufer runs a perfume-themed cocktail bar; each drink pairs with a specific fragrance shown on the bar's display wall.
Signature drink: Cocktails inspired by perfumes
Food: Snacks
Tip: Hotel bar with a strict dress code (smart-casual minimum). The perfume tasting flight is the order.
Windhorst on Berlin's Dorotheenstrasse near the Bundestag has run since 1991 with the same bartenders; the martini and the journalist regulars define the room.
Signature drink: Vodka martini
Food: None
Tip: Smoke-friendly room (rare in Berlin). The Vodka Martini is the canonical order; cash and card accepted.
Beckett's Kopf on Berlin's Pappelallee in Prenzlauer Berg has run a no-menu classic cocktail bar since 2004; the room is named after Samuel Beckett's head on the door window.
Signature drink: Classic cocktails (no menu)
Food: None
Tip: No menu. Tell the bartender what you like; the Old Fashioned and the Negroni are the room's defaults.
Le Croco Bleu on Berlin's Prenzlauer Allee runs a cocktail bar inside the former Bötzow brewery's machine hall; the room is filled with taxidermy and the crocodile sets the tone.
Signature drink: Crocodile cocktail
Food: None
Tip: Open Wed-Sat only. The room is loud and theatrical; bookings online for a quiet booth.
Bar am Steinplatz at the Hotel am Steinplatz in Berlin Charlottenburg runs a German-gin-focused cocktail program; the room sits on the corner of Hardenbergstrasse and Steinplatz.
Signature drink: Berlin Gin cocktails
Food: Snacks and small plates
Tip: Hotel bar with terrace seating in summer. The Berlin-Gin flight from local distilleries is the order.
Stagger Lee on Berlin's Nollendorfstrasse in Schoeneberg runs a 1920s American whiskey bar with 200 bourbons; the music is bluegrass and country, the room is wood-panelled.
Signature drink: Bourbon Old Fashioned
Food: Snacks
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. The bourbon tasting flight of three is the order to start.
