Cocktail Bars

As some of you might have guessed, cocktails are one of my hobbies. Whether it's making them or travelling around the world and trying new and familiar creations in different places, is what makes it intresting. As I am sometimes asked for recommendations, here are some of them. Composing a list was harder than I anticipated. Ultimately, I decided to list bars that have influenced me or that I want to highlight. Starting with ones that I have been to multiple times. Following these are recommendations for places that I have only been to once. This isn't intended to be a complete list of all the bars I've visited, nor is it a list of all recommendations for different cities. That might be a project for another day.

Brill No.6, Bremen

Address: Am Brill 6, 28195 Bremen
Social: https://www.instagram.com/brillno6

Let's start with Brill No.6 in Bremen, the first actual cocktail bar that I have been to. Spanning over three floors, with the actual bar on the first one, you find well made classics and their own creations. Served with a focus on the cocktail, followed always with some water and snacks. They sparked my passion for cocktails and I remember having my first Aviation and Blood and Sand there. Although I haven't been back for a few years, they set me on this journey and shaped my initial expectations of what a cocktail bar should be.

Nou 7, Hamburg

Address: Gertigstraße 7, 22303 Hamburg
Social: https://www.instagram.com/nou7bar

In 2024, I stumbled upon a post from Le Lion announcing a new bar opening in Winterhude, which I bookmarked as a place I wanted to visit. One day, when we were in Hamburg, we ended up making our way to the Nou 7, where we found a place with absolutely creative and very good drinks. Hai uses probably every available technique, from foams, over carbonation, to rotovaps, in order to create something new and delicious. I have yet to visit another place in Germany that is innovating cocktails to that level. This is clear not only from the drinks on the menu, but also from ones that Hai creates on the spot when you're sitting at the bar; a place that I highly recommend sitting at. If you're ever in Hamburg, go there enjoy the drinks, and say moin (or hi)!

Heir Beverage House, Munich

Address: Parkstraße 30, 80339 München
Social: https://www.instagram.com/heir.beverage.house

The Heir Beverage House is relatively new to Munich and is located outside the city centre in the Westend district. If you're willing to travel a bit, you'll be greeted at your new neighbourhood bar with a small welcome in liquid form, popcorn and water. Max and Johannes will make sure you have a great time and enjoy some tasty drinks. If you ever feel bored, you can try to beat someone on the arcade machine in the back. They have now launched their second cocktail menu, comprising very sippable, lovely summer drinks. Alternatively, they can make you something according to your preference. There are also many places to eat in the area, so you're guaranteed a good night out.

Le Lion, Hamburg

Address: Rathausstraße 3, 20095 Hamburg
Social: https://www.instagram.com/barlelion

One that doesn't really need an introduction, as the Le Lion is definitely an institution in Hamburg for a reason. It is perhaps best known internationally for Jörg Meyer inventing the Gin Basil Smash there, and it offers a range of classic drinks and its own tasty creations. This bar taught me how good drinks and attentive service go hand in hand. I don't think my water glass ever ran low there.
It's pretty much guaranteed to be packed at the weekend, but it's always a good stop during the early hours or during the week when in the area.

Fox Den, Brussels

Address: Rue Josse Impens 2, 1030 Schaerbeek
Social: https://www.instagram.com/foxden_cocktailbar

Being in Brussels at least once a year, I decided to check out what cocktail bars are around there. By chance I found Fox Den, a small bar outside the city center in Schaerbeek, run by the same people also behind Life is Beatiful in Brussels. The menu is structured like a world map, with a small passport to explore different cocktails. A playful concept that is nicely executed with good and creative drinks. It was one of those unexpected, fun discoveries. The main centrepiece of the bar is the counter itself, where most people are seated. If I ever had the space to build a bar, I would probably do it in a similar style.

Seed Library, London

Address: 100 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JQ
Social: https://www.instagram.com/seedlibraryshoreditch

Have you ever wondered how many parts of a cow can be turned into a tasty drink? Or are you just looking for great drinks? Either way, the Seed Library is then the right place for you. Here, you can enjoy creative drinks made using a variety of fermentation techniques, including garums, in a cozy atmosphere, complete with a long bar to sit at. While I'm not that often in London, its is always fun to see what new they have come up with.

Note that there are many cocktail bars within walking distance in Shoreditch, so it's a good area to explore. If you're feeling hungry, head to Beigel Bake, which is guaranteed to be open and has great bagels.

Further places

These are places that I have only visited once (so far). From experience, I'm reluctant to recommend a place based on just one visit, as things are not always consistent and places evolve. Nevertheless, I would like to highlight the following ones.

Furek Cocktail Stand, Kyoto

Address: Higashiyamaku-kaneicho 352, Kyoto
Social: https://www.instagram.com/cocktail_stand_furek/

I visited them based on a personal recommendation when they were on the fifth floor of a building that was difficult to find. What makes them special is that they create a variety of unique flavours using their spring water to make excellent cocktails. Combined with great hospitality, I had a wonderful evening there. Since then, they have moved to their own building, which has its own well for the water. I hope to visit their new place some time in the future.

Bar Cham, Seoul

Address: 34 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno District, Seoul
Social: https://www.instagram.com/bar.cham

I went to Bar Cham by chance when visiting Seoul, as I walked past shortly after they opened. At other times, it is normally completely full and booked out. The bar is housed in a wooden building and has a fully wooden interior. When I was there, the cocktail menu featured the best creations from previous years, most of which had a Korean twist. I had some very good cocktails there, such as a Gimbab-inspired one and one with hot milk and pumpkin. Many of their drinks are served in ceramic vessels, which really fits with the wooden interior. One new thing was that you could get either cold or warm water, which is not surprising for Korea, but a first for a cocktail bar, and something I started to enjoy.

Bar Us, Bangkok

Address: 61/37 Floor, Opposite side of security kiosk (Glass door) Floor 1, 1 Sukhumvit 26, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok
Social: https://www.instagram.com/bar.us.bkk

While travelling in Chiang Mai, I asked a bartender at the White Rabbit if he could recommend in Bangkok. Bar Us was one of them. Once arrived, I went. Their menu features food-inspired cocktails. This ranges from familiar flavours such as satay, which translate quite well, to more experimental combinations such as beef and onion, which is definitely unusual, but somehow they made it work. They took this concept and executed it extremely well. The fact that they made it into the top 50 in the world a few months later didn't really surprise me.

Velour, Copenhagen

Address: Store Regnegade 26A, København
Social: https://www.instagram.com/velourcph

This bar is a little different from the rest as it's a project of the Nordic EtOH distillery and only serves drinks made with its own spirits. When you go there, you have two options: you can sit at one of the tables and order cocktails from the menu, or you can sit at the bar and enjoy a set tasting menu. The latter option is quite unusual, and I was a little hesitant at first, but I assure you that you will have a great time. You will be served a selection of drinks, along with the spirits they contain. It's pretty much guaranteed that you'll try something interesting with all the spirits from the distillery.