Historic Berlin Pubs! Here is our list of some of our favorite Berlin Historic pubs, bars, brew houses, and Ball houses. From Prussia and World War 2 to the Berlin Wall, this city has seen a lot of turmoil. Very few places survived the bombing and consequent battle of Berlin in the war, but the city rebuilt and some places still haven’t changed…much.
So join us as we take you around our home city to some of the historic pubs, bars, and breweries where you can still find a nice cold glass and some of that hoppy sensation Germans are so well known for.
Visiting Berlin? Join us on our new Historic Pubs Of Berlin Tour
Zur Letzten Instanz
We start with what is commonly known as the oldest pub in Berlin. Coming from this city and being old means you’ve got a lot of history and Zur Letzten Instanz is no exception.
Located in a beautiful little corner of Mitte this pub is older than most of Berlin’s iconic historic monuments. It predates Prussia and outlasted her as well. The foundations were laid in the 1600s and there is even a piece of the Original Berlin city wall from the medieval period right next door.
Perhaps this pub might be best noted for one of its famous guests. After marching into the city’s newly declared Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, Napoleon Bonaparte dined next to the restaurant’s central ornate tiled stove – now, at over 200 years old, the most famous feature of the interior.
Nikolaiviertel Mitte
Open Hours: Varies check online
Website: https://zurletzteninstanz.com/
Marinehaus
Popularly known as the “Admiralty” the Marinehaus was the seat of the old shipping authority around 1900. Located directly on the river spree this pub got its infamy during the revolution in Germany. In 1918/19, the building briefly housed the headquarters of the People’s Marine Division, whose armed formations of revolutionary workers and soldiers fought alongside the Berlin proletariat from January to March 1918.
Mitte by the river spree
Open Hours: 3 pm–12 am
Website: https://www.marinehaus.de/
Georgbraeu
The youngest pub on our list is the Georgbraeu. Located right in the heart of the historic city center next to the river Spree, Georgbraeu In 1992, Oliver Kaßan, the youngest master brewer in Berlin at the time, planned the brewery in the Nikolaiviertel and the rest as the say is history. Now brewing and serving happy guests for almost 30 years, like most of the city this area was completely destroyed during the Battle of Berlin. Almost every place on this list was either rebuilt or repaired, but Georgbraeu makes it on this list due to its historic location and name. Which it gets from the massive statue in front of the pub. The statue depicts Saint George on horseback slaying a dragon.
On the river spree
Open Hours: 10AM-12Pm
Website: https://www.georgbraeu.de/
KulturBrauerei
Ahh the KulturBrauerei. Located right in the heart of Prenzlauerberg and not far from Alexanderplatz. This old Brewery holds six courtyards and over 20 buildings! the architecture is stunning and it plays host to many Berlin events. Built in 1878 many of the buildings originally uses are still visible. The brewery changed hands but is most likely remembered as the old Schultheiss brewery.
Today the KulturBrauerei is a local hotspot, from music to Christmas markets you can find it all here. If there is a big sporting event going on they sometimes set up large viewing areas. There are three nightclubs and multiple bars located in the old buildings and surrounding area. It’s definitely a place to come walk around and check out.
prenzlauerberg
Open Hours: Varies
Website https://www.kulturbrauerei.de/
Clarchens Ballhaus
This gem is quite sureal. With almost abandoned looking outside and an immaculate Ballhaus inside!
The Ballhaus was opened by Clara Bühler and her husband Fritz on September 13, 1913. Making Clärchens Ballhaus one of the last remaining ball houses from this period.
High society celebrated upstairs in the Hall of Mirrors, and all the other Berliners danced in the ballroom.
During the GDR era, it was known as a meeting place for both East and West Germans.
This place has been featured in movies, shows, stories, and tall tales, and is truly a Berlin original.
MITTE
OPEN HOURS:
Thursday Closed
Friday 5–10 pm
Saturday 12–10 pm
Sunday 12–10 pm
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Website: https://www.claerchensball.haus/
MarcusBrau
This gem is quite sureal. With almost abandoned looking outside and an immaculate Ballhaus inside!
Maybe less notable than other entries on this list. The MarcusBrau makes it for being a traditional-style pub. Brewing their own beer and housing an inn on the upper levels. This family-run establishment was founded in 1982 and is located in what was East Germany. This place is a throwback to when most pubs made their own beer and offered rooms to let!
Tucked away just a stone’s throw from Alexanderplatz, if you can make it past all the newly built establishments around it, stop in for a one-of-a-kind beer. This place is a gem.
ALEXANDER PLATZ
Open hours: Opens 12 pm
Website: https://volkskochtopf.de/
