Berlin is a unique place to visit. The capital of Germany has an interesting history and wine scene. It is home to 3.5 million people from all around the world and will be hosting the European Soccer Championship in 2024. These cultural dynamics have influenced Berlin's wine scene and offer great tourist experiences with high-class wine bars and attractions.

Additionally, many people also view Berlin as one of the hubs of the natural wine scene. The city is home to many small importers who bring in wines from even smaller wineries. The discovery is nearly endless. However, the ‘conventional' scene is also present, offering great diversity.

Insider Recommendations for Wine Bars in Berlin

When traveling in Berlin, there are thousands of restaurants and opportunities to drink. Here are five insider recommendations:

Freundschaft

The wine bar Freundschaft (English: Friendship), located close to Friedrichstrasse, is one of the most iconic and popular wine destinations. The owner, Willi Schlögl, a famous Austrian sommelier and podcaster, goes the extra mile. The bar is open from late til late and offers small bites. Despite being more expensive, it is one of the wine bars with a large selection of a near-endless range of wine styles.

Der Weinlobbyist

This bar, located in Schöneberg, is one of a kind. The owner, Serhat Aktas, exclusively lists wines from Germany. They combine the experience with a high-class kitchen and top-notch service while maintaining a casual and welcoming atmosphere.

In addition to serving wines from entry-level to high-end from the best German wine producers, they also run their own German Cru-Cup (Lagencup) multiple times a year. The wine bar is a blend of dedication to German wine and exceptional quality.

Noble Rot Weinbar

The famous Noble Rot wine bar in Berlin shares the same name as the renowned location in London. However, this bar, located in Friedrichshain, focuses on Eastern European wines, particularly from Hungary. It offers great value, exciting wines, and great service.

Rocket Wine

A less classic location in central Berlin, Rocket Wine focuses on natural wines. They import exciting small producers who are relatively unknown and deserve a stage. They have a small but powerful assortment. The knowledgeable staff can guide all kinds of wine lovers through their menu.

SWAY Bar

Or, as locals call it, Sway, expresses no reservations for anyone. Just go to Kreuzberg and be yourself. They view good wine as organically farmed grapes, produced without any chemicals or added sulfites.

Like Rocket Wine, they focus on small producers who may not be known to many wine lovers. It's an exciting place to go if you are seeking funky natural wines.

The ‘Späti' culture

It is legal to drink on the streets in Berlin. A unique trait of the city is the late-night shops, also called ‘Späti'. Despite being called late-night shops, many are open nearly 24/7 and offer chilled wines, beers, water, chips, and other snacks you might need on a stroll.

They are also the go-to emergency place when grocery stores are closed on Sundays. Although Spätis are legally required to close on Sundays, many remain open with the lights off and a door slightly ajar to avoid trouble with regulatory authorities.

Most Spätis offer similar stock, including popular brands like Rotkäppchen, Germany's most popular sparkling wine, which can be purchased in piccolo bottles for on-the-go consumption. Additionally, 0.75-liter bottles are commonly available in the fridge, and some shops even provide paper cups for convenience.

A beacon of hope is Motzki, located at Motzstr. 22 in Schöneberg, Berlin's queerest street. This Späti offers seating both inside and outside and serves wine by the glass.

Of course, Berlin is a quirky place, and someone has opened a non-alcoholic Späti. Nüchtern.berlin (English: sober.berlin) is located in Kreuzberg. They offer an exclusive range of non-alcoholic beverages and are the first of their kind in Germany.

The German capital is an exciting place for wine lovers. Off-the-beaten paths, small venues, and innovative concepts await. It is impossible to visit all the wine bars in one trip, and new bars are opening up frequently, to the joy of wine enthusiasts.

Peter Douglas