Jared’s Bar Experience #3: Saphire Bar, Berlin

(For the next stop on Jared’s tour of Berlin’s bar scene, he heads north from the Circus into Prenzlauer Berg)

The neighbourhood in which this bar is located is more famous for its €1,50 kebabs and €1 mini pizzas, but ring a doorbell at the Saphire Lounge and you will find on the other side of the door one of Berlin’s nicest bars. This time on my trip I had some friends with me, which gave us a chance to sample a number of drinks that were made by the owner of the bar himself.

Paul ordered a Hemingway Sour, which is an extremely famous and popular drink that I have tasted many times, and yet this was easily one of the best. The secret was the Saphire’s own sweet and sour mix, made to a special recipe that of course the bartender would not divulge and which was used in many drinks.

Mark ordered the Tanz der Glaktischen Alien, which included another homemade special – the chilli vodka – as well as vanilla vodka, fresh passion fruit, blackberry liqueur, fresh strawberry puree, lemon juice and triple sec. It came in a martini glass and had a deep purple colour and a thick texture. The first sip was sweet, followed by the flavours of the chilli vodka…a unique taste sensation.

I was fascinated by the chilli vodka, and so made a choice that also included this house specialty. I ordered the Traume hinter Reispapier, which included both the Saphire chilli and vanilla vodkas as well as mandarin napoleon, sparkling wine (sekt) and ginger beer. It came with an astonishing garnish of pineapple, apple slices, cherry and finely sliced cucumber. It was both refreshing and tingly with the chilli and the bubbles of sekt.

Both the music and the decor of the Saphire is classy without being too formal, but it  is the drinks that are the star here, with the level of attention and care – including the homemade ingredients – that makes for both an interesting and pleasant experience. Go and check it out.

Saphire Bar
Bötzowstrasse 31
10407 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg

Open daily from 8pm
Saphire Bar Website
(click on the map for a closer look of how to get there)