Freie Internationale Tankstelle
If sipping beer in the charming backyard of the cute former gas station isn’t entertaining enough for you, there’s a crafty makers market on Sundays, occasional open-air cinema, an Imbiss with street food specials and even a mobile sauna.
Schwedter Str. 261, Mitte, U-Bhf Senefelderplatz, Thu-Sun 15-19
The gallery, venue, atelier, market space and more opened its doors only a year ago but feels like it’s always been here. The large outdoor lounging area, featuring Rollberger beer ought to be the place to be this summer with a programme including cinema under the stars, pastis and pétanque, and gourmet street food from Buns.
Revaler Str. 99, Friedrichshain, S+U-Bhf Warschauer Str.
Next to About: Blank in a particularly industrial stretch of Friedrichshain, the rustic-feeling Zukunft aims to be all things to all people. There’s a bar with weekly jazz concerts, a Biergarten/open-air venue, a gallery, an indoor and outdoor movie programme and a claustrophobia-inducing cellar club, Tiefgrund, where you can catch up on Berlin’s stoner rock scene.
Laskerstr. 5, Friedrichshain, S-Bhf Ostkreuz, Mon-Sun 17-close
The famed floating pool in Treptow attracts hordes of swimmers, party people and music aficionados every summer. Going for a dip in the spree… but without the dirty water. The Badeschiff is also a place you can go without your bathing togs. The concerts, parties, open sky and view over the river make it worth your while.
Eichenstr. 4, Kreuzberg, U-Bhf Schlesisches Tor, daily 8-close
The sprawling, sandy bar (it’s actually short for Young African Art Market) is an über-chill and slightly surreal bolt-hole among more frenetic spree-side offerings. Visitors ranging from friendly Rastas to German families chat and sip reasonably priced drinks ( € 1-5) at the riverbank or bounce gently to an endless diet of reggae seasoned with dancehall. The more vigorous can skateboard or play volleyball.
Stralauer Platz 35, Friedrichshain, S-Bhf Ostbahnhof, Mon-Wed 11-24, Thu 10-24, Fri-Sun 11-24
Originally published in issue #118, July/August.
