As we stumbled around Schlesisches Tor one evening we ended up at Kirk’s. Now, you could at first mistake this for an unexceptional neighbourhood bar, but you would be wrong. This is a place that doesn’t have to look fancy in order to serve excellent drinks; in other words, it’s an awesome cocktail bar in disguise.

With an unassuming front door, the interiors of this inconspicuous place are dimly lit with a shabby-chic feel. The background piano jazz blends in with the pleasant murmur of conversation and the clientele are laid-back, Bohemian types, chatting to the bartender or amongst themselves in hushed, voices.

We ordered a couple of drinks from the comprehensive menu of classic cocktails and settled into the unpretentious, relaxed atmosphere. A sweet waitress brought us a very well balanced Negroni and a Hemingway Daiquiri, and as they went down we began to feel like real Boho-Berliners. A couple more rounds of deliciously potent cocktails followed, with the Cynar Sour standing out in particular as a herbaceous delight.

Fan of old recipes done right? Then you should definitely pop in for a quick one (or three). It’s nice to see somewhere that doesn’t need to push the envelope creatively to be exceptional.