If there are such things as foodies, I am a bar maven. These are of course my opinions, but I was once told by a friend I’ve never picked a bad bar.

The Dorothy Bar
Kollwitzstraße 41, 10405
The outside tables are cute, but inside it’s swanky den. Try the whole menu with inventive Wizard of Oz-themed names.

Wax On
Weserstraße 208, 12047
Sit at the bar. Trust the bartender. He knows the best drink for you. Promise. Try the cocktail on tap. It’s always a winner.

Reingold Bar
Novalisstraße 11, 10115
I heard this used to be the “it” place. It reopened not too long ago by Ray, who also is the main bartender. My friends and I saw him making strawberry daiquiris for another table. We immediately ordered them for ourselves. It had been over two decades since I ordered a daiquiri. It’s a revelation.

Victoria Bar
Potsdamer Straße 102, 10785
Still one of the original places in Berlin to see and be seen. The happy hour is fantastic. Everyone kept talking about the sandwiches. I thought, how can a sandwich be so good? Oh, they are.

Pateso Bar
Novalisstraße 2, 10115
A cozy and friendly female-run bar with Japanese-influenced cocktails.

Nathanja & Heinrich Cafe/Bar
Weichselstraße 44, 12045
Charmingly disheveled. You must try the cherry old-fashioned.

Rakete
Schönhauser Allee 39A, 10435
Technically a smoking bar, but the drinks are always perfect. Sitting outside on warmer days is surprisingly calm even given the proximity to the Eberswalder Straße station.

My favorite hotel lobby bar
Van Gogh
Grolmanstraße 41, 10623
Live piano, a cozy atmosphere and good drinks are not what I expect at most hotel bars. Normally, a hotel lobby bar is sterile and lifeless. This place is an exception. Also, there is so much good Chinese and Korean food around Savignyplatz!

My favorite fancy rooftop terrace bar
The Rooftop Terrace at Hotel de Rome
Behrenstraße 37, 10117
You have guests from out of town and want to impress them? Even the lobby of Hotel de Rome is an experience. Yes, the drinks are expensive. Yes, the view is breathtaking.

My favorite neighborhood beer spot
Manifest Taproom
Oderberger Straße 15, 10435
It’s run by an American, and it’s apparent in the tap and food selection, meaning there are IPAs galore. There is a wide variety of local varieties and breweries, available in many sizes. Taps rotate frequently.

Best selection of truly unusual dark and strong beers
Biererei Bar & Vintage Cellar
Oranienstraße 185, 10999
Set in a lively area, this place is still serious business. Grab a stool, grab your wallet, the rare brews are worth it.

Best all-around brewpub local chain
BRLO Brwhouse – Gleisdreieck
Schöneberger Straße 16, 10963
It’s got a ton of space inside and out.

Kaschk by BRLO – Mitte (Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz)
Linienstraße 40, 10119
Was the first brew pub I discovered when I first moved to Berlin. Small and stylish.

My favorite wine bars
Freundschaft
Mittlestraße 1, 10117
There are a ton of restaurants and bars around here, but they all just feel like meeting places for lawyers or lost tourists. This place manages to be both chic and welcoming.

Le Balto
Hobrechstraße 28, 12047
A friendly woman-owned and operated wine bar conveniently across the street from Gazzo. Since Gazzo doesn’t take reservations, I have gone to wait for a table at Le Balto many times and always enjoyed the vibe.

My favorite drink and wine selection in a restaurant
Gazzo
Hobrechtstraße 57, 12047
I go for the pizza, but the recent seasonal special chocolate Negroni was fantastic. That is just one example of the small but well-crafted cocktail list. The wine list is itself spectacular. Get the Di Camillo Vini Primitivo Atria and thank me later. I am also not the biggest fan of limoncello, but their handmade one is great.