The 5 Best Cocktail Bars in Neukölln, Berlin [2026]

Neukölln is not a district you can simply tick off your list. Either you stick around – or you'll never fully understand it. Between Spätis, falafel shops, old apartments, and bars that are barely recognizable as such from the outside, one of Berlin's most exciting cocktail scenes has developed here. No golden shakers, no dress code, but plenty of character in the glass. Just honest drinks, Berlin charm, and a touch of nightlife between Weserstraße and Hermannplatz.

Here is our ranking of the 5 best cocktail bars in Berlin Neukölln.

1. Velvet – Small bar, great precision

Velvet on Ganghoferstraße is almost a classic, even though it consistently refuses to be one. The bar is small, often full, and never loud in an unpleasant way. Here, they mix, they don't post. The bar menu changes regularly, classics are reinterpreted without losing their soul.

What sets Velvet apart is its unassuming professionalism. No one will tell you the origin of every ingredient unless you ask, but if you do ask, you'll get an honest answer. Perfect for evenings when you really just wanted to go out for “one drink.”

2. Ä – Minimalism with attitude

Yes, the name really is just one letter. And yes, it fits surprisingly well. Das Ä is one of those bars that you immediately associate with Neukölln. Minimalist interior, clean lines, no-frills drinks. It's not about being the loudest bar, but the most consistent.

The cocktails are balanced, often herb-heavy, sometimes unwieldy—but never boring. If you're looking for sweet mass-produced drinks, this isn't the place for you. If you want to understand why bar culture can also be quiet, this is the place for you.

3. Sameheads – Living room, vinyl, and strong drinks

Sameheads feels less like a bar and more like the living room of a friend with very good taste in music. Vinyl on the walls, DJs who know when to stop, and drinks that are surprisingly serious for a place that seems so relaxed.

That's why you often end up staying longer than planned. One cocktail turns into a second, and conversation turns into a profound monologue. Neukölln in its purest form: a little chaotic, very human, pleasantly unpretentious.

4. Geist im Glas – The name says it all

Geist im Glas is a little off the beaten track, which suits it well. The bar takes its job seriously without seeming stiff. Classics such as Negroni or Old Fashioned are not reinvented here, but perfected.

What stands out: the clientele. Fewer tourists, more regulars. People who know what they want—or at least what they don't want. That's exactly what makes this place so pleasant: no explanations, no need to impress, just drinking.

5. TiER – Neukölln's answer to high-end bars

TiER is perhaps the most ambitious bar on this list. Sustainable ingredients, well-thought-out concepts, drinks that sometimes take more time to understand. But that's exactly what makes it so appealing. Here, bar culture becomes almost philosophical, without losing any of its fun.

Not every cocktail suits every taste, and that's a good thing. TiER is not a place for compromise, but for curiosity. Those who embrace it will be rewarded – those who don't will at least learn something about themselves.

Why Neukölln drinks so well

Neukölln's bars are no coincidence. They are the result of a district that is constantly changing yet remains rebellious. Here, quality does not come from luxury, but from attitude. You try, you fail, you improve – just like when mixing a good cocktail.

Perhaps that's why the image of small stakes fits so well. Whether in a glass or digitally, it's not about putting all your eggs in one basket. It's about consciously enjoying yourself, staying curious, and knowing when to call it a night.

Five bars, five reasons to extend your evening in Neukölln

These five cocktail bars demonstrate how diverse Neukölln can be. From precise to playful, from minimalist to experimental. They have only one thing in common: they take their guests seriously without taking themselves too seriously.

If you want to understand Neukölln, this is the place to start. Not with a city tour, but with a drink. Or two. And if the evening continues later on, Neukölln is very forgiving. That's exactly why people keep coming back.