Reingold
Reingold is an art deco cocktail lounge on Novalisstrasse near Oranienburger Tor, opened in 1998 and styled as a Weimar-era drinking room. The interior runs long and narrow: dark wood, leather banquettes, gold accent lighting, a long marble-topped bar, and framed portraits from the 1920s along the walls. The bar holds around 80 guests across the main room and a smaller side room that serves as overflow on busier nights. The drinks program leans heavily on classics executed with care: properly stirred Manhattans, Negronis with the right ratio, and a Sazerac that the bartenders have made for decades. A short list of house cocktails rotates seasonally and reads less inventive than other Mitte bars but more dependable. Bar snacks run to cheese and charcuterie boards. The crowd is older than most Mitte venues, with after-work professionals from 19:00, a dinner-and-drinks set until 22:30, and a late-night cocktail crowd from 23:00 onward. Weekend nights stay busy until 2:00, weeknights run quieter but the bar keeps the full program through to close.
Where to stay near Reingold
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A long, dim, wood-panelled room with low jazz, considered drinks, and a crowd that skews older and better-dressed than average Mitte. Expect deliberate service and well-executed classics.
Warm, period-styled, and considered. Feels like a film set that happens to serve drinks.
Low-volume jazz, swing, and 1920s-1940s standards
Smart casual to dressy; many regulars wear jackets
A classic cocktail evening, older travelers, couples, date nights
Cards and cash; EC and most credit cards accepted
Price Range
Beer 5 EUR, glass of wine 8 EUR, cocktail 12 EUR, spirits 9-14 EUR
Beer ~$5.40, wine ~$8.60, cocktail ~$13, spirits ~$9.70-15
Hours
Tue-Sat 18:00 until 2:00; Sun-Mon closed
Insider Tip
The leather banquettes along the right wall are the best seats; claim one early on weekend nights. Order a Sazerac to test the bar; it is a house specialty done properly. Weeknights around 21:00 are the quietest hour for easy conversation with the bartenders.
Full Review
Reingold runs on a clear concept: a Weimar-era cocktail lounge built to make classic drinks the right way. The room sets the tone immediately. A long bar runs along the left wall, with leather banquettes opposite and small tables in between. Gold accent lighting, dark wood, and framed portraits keep the visual temperature warm without feeling theatrical. The side room off the main space holds a few more tables and picks up overflow on busy weekends.
The cocktail program is the point. The menu splits between a classics section that reads like a reference guide (Manhattan, Negroni, Sazerac, Old Fashioned, Aviation) and a short rotating house list. The classics are the stronger side; the bartenders have worked at Reingold for years in some cases and the execution shows. Stirred drinks hit the right temperature, shaken drinks arrive with proper dilution, and custom orders are respected. The wine list is functional; the spirit selection is strong, especially for rye and scotch. Bar snacks cover cheese, charcuterie, and occasional warm small plates.
Compared to other Mitte cocktail bars, Reingold sits at the classical end of the spectrum. Buck and Breck nearby runs a more intense, smaller-room experience; Tausend under the railway arches leans modern and clubby; Cordo focuses on experimental builds. Reingold's strength is consistency and calm; the bar has been doing the same thing carefully since 1998 and has no interest in changing direction. Older visitors often find it the easiest bar in Mitte; younger visitors used to newer venues sometimes find it too formal.
For a practical visit, walk in before 22:00 on weekends to avoid a wait for seating. Weeknights are easy and the bartenders have more time for chat. Tabs open easily and service is attentive without being pushy. Closing time holds at 2:00 firmly. Tip at 10 percent or round up to the next round number.
The Neighborhood
Novalisstrasse runs between Oranienburger Strasse and the Spree in the quieter western edge of Mitte. The surrounding blocks hold residential buildings, small galleries, and a handful of restaurants. The area is less heavily trafficked than Rosenthaler Platz or Hackescher Markt, and the crowd on the street tends to be locals rather than tourists.
Getting There
U6 to Oranienburger Tor, three-minute walk south on Novalisstrasse. S-Bahn S1, S2, S25, or S26 to Oranienburger Strasse also works, six minutes on foot. Night tram M1 runs along Oranienburger Strasse.
Address
Novalisstraße 11, 10115 Berlin
Other Venues in Oranienburger Strasse
Clärchens Ballhaus
Historic dance hall dating back to 1913 with a grand ballroom, live bands on weekends, and a courtyard beer garden. One of Berlin's last original ballrooms still in operation.
Bar Tausend
Speakeasy-style cocktail bar hidden behind an unmarked steel door beneath the S-Bahn railway bridge. The interior mixes raw concrete with contemporary art, and DJs spin on weekends.
Hackbarth's
Old-school neighborhood bar that's been a Mitte fixture for decades. No cocktail menu or pretension, just cold beer, simple drinks, and late-night conversation.
Zosch
Basement venue in a converted cellar hosting live bands, open mic nights, and DJ sets. The ground-floor bar serves cheap drinks to a mixed crowd of locals and visitors.
Aufsturz
German and international craft beer bar with a rotating selection of over 20 taps. The relaxed atmosphere draws a crowd that takes their beer seriously without being snobby about it.
Buck and Breck
Tiny speakeasy on Brunnenstrasse with just 14 seats and a strict no-standing policy. The bartender crafts each drink to order based on your flavor preferences. Reservations recommended.