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Sandsation and Other Funky Stuff

31. Mai 2010 in Bars, Berlin, Circus Hostel, Circus Hotel, Events, Fabisch, Goldman's Bar, Music by Paul | 1 comment

sandstationOnce again there are some great things going on both around town and at The Circus. , For those looking to hang out close to the circus and enjoy some good live music, can really recommend Schokoladen this Wednesday – Sandra Kolstad is performing.  Some good clubbing options this week, weekend club hosts none other than Peter Kruder (Kruder & Dorfmeister) and for some live music, Thievery Corporation is performing over at Huxleys.

At The Circus on Tuesday night we have a member of Australian Band ” Dukes of Windsor” ( Nominated for 2 Aria awards in 2008) spinning some tunes for us. Lastly, Sandsation 2010 – International Sand sculpture festival kicks of at the end of the week (Sunday – SEE PHOTO) – If the weather is good, it might be a nice idea to check things out and enjoy a beer or two on the beach!

Goldman’s Bar

*** Free keg beer each night of the week for Hostel guests starting @ 8pm until empty***
Tuesday Night:  Club Night (22:00) – with DJ Scott (Dukes Of Windsor – Indie, Pop, Rock).
Thursday Night:  Live Music (22:00) with “Jude The Obscure” (Indie, Rock, Garage)
Saturday Night : Karaoke Klub

Fabisch

Wednesday night (19:00):  Aperitif  – with fingerfood & Dj Frau Brex.
Friday night (22:00): Live music with Hoppenstedt & Behm ( Jazz Duo)
Sunday Night (22:00): Live music with Berlin Sling (Lounge, Jazz, Pop) More info: www.myspace.com/berlinsling

Around Town

Wednesday (21:00) Schokoladen – Lofi Lounge: Sandra Kolstad ( Piano Pop) !!!! Top Tip!!!!
Saturday  (22:00) Weekend Club: Peter Kruder (Kruder & Dorfmeister)
Sunday    (22:00) Huxleys Neue Welt : Thievery Corporation

SANDSATION 2010 ( June 6 – August 29, 2010)
Address: Europaplatz 1 10557, Berlin

Again, the most renowned sand sculpture artists from all over the world will come together for the International Sand Sculpture Festival SANDSATION. Welcoming up to 120,000 fascinated guests each year, the only urban sand art festival in Europe easily established itself in Berlin’s vast cultural landscape.

From June 6th until August 29th there’ll be carving, moulding, partying and sun bathing on the 4,000sqm site.

Mr Goldman goes to Bar Zone

13. Mai 2010 in Bars, Berlin, Events by Jared | 1 comment

barzone(Taking a break from his tour of Berlin’s best bars, Jared finds something else that is just as good…a trip to one of Berlin biggest bar conventions…)

I am sure as many of you readers out there have started to notice the I like to drink. So twice a year in Berlin there are two bar convetions. The first one took place on the 4th of the 5th of May this year and the second one is coming on the 4 and 5th of October.

This last week I went with my fellow bar tender Christian to the bar zone. We woke up much earlier than any bar tender should have to and by 10:30 in the morning we were standing outside getting prepared for the day. I would like to add one reason out of many I much prefer the BCB run my mixology is that they listen to their readers and the convention starts at 12:00. A much more human hour to wake up for.

Anyway we checked in at the door got our badges and away we went. We had a a lot of business to get done on this day. This is a ba tenders code word for we need to do a lot of drinking but tell the bosses we were working hard. But don’t tell my boss please! One of main goals of the days was to find  Pisco de Oro the brand we choose for our new cocktail menu. The first stand we saw was this one so we jumped over to speak with Ana Rosa and by a quarter to eleven I had drunk 2 different types of pisco. What a start to the day! I know had to full shots on an tired empty stomach. Well that’s how these things go.

Next stop was a new Korn product on the market made in Berlin. The bottle was stripped down and very simple but eleganat but what caught my attention was the fact it was made in Berlin. I had look at the 1000 limited edtion bottles each numberd and out poped the representative for the company. Of course I had to try the product. It was very unentertaining much like vodka is but its made in Berlin it’s a cool bottle and what I liked even better was the price. So if anybody is looking for a gift just contact me and I am sure I can organize you a bottle.

So now with 3 shots in my belly getting close to 11 we took a small break had a look around and after that I got a bit thirsty again. I saw one of the bar tenders I have known for a few year Jacob from Stagger Lee working in the Borco stand. We greeted each other and he then kindly offered us a drink. Now it was time to get serious and have a real drink.

Jacob, being the excellent bar tender that he is, pumped us out drinks with nothing but the finest mixing spoon, mixing glass and jiggers that a bartender would like to have. His zests were perfect and filled the air with the smell of fresh citros and orange. It was one of the best drinks I have had in a long time. But I can’t for the lift of me remember what the hell was in it. Thanks Jacob and readers keep your eyes out because Stagger Lee is on the list for Mr. Goldmans bar tour.

We took another little break to watch some guy doing latte art but I was just not thinking about coffee anymore. We found another little bar stand that looked very inviting. We tried a few new rums one of which I must have for the hotel, and decided to have a cocktail. The bar man offered me one of his chocolate cocktails with a 25 year old rum and I was very disappointed. Christain ordered a rum manhattan and even that lacked the passion. The rum was good but I think that company better get a better representative.

Now I was in pretty much auto pilot mode and couldn’t really see properly at this point so we decided wehad  better take a beer break. Veltins dressed some girls up real nice and were kind to put some beers on ice for us so we had a beer and planned the attact for the rest of the day. The plan was back to Ana Rosa for pisco cocktail and then home.

We some how got stopped at another stand to try cachaca. One that was really not fitting to me but the bar man made us a drink and the drink was very nice. That is my way of saying I got no idea how it tasted at this point. He then went on to make a caipi for Christian but it was so bad that we told him we could not drink it.

By then we were ready to get out of there. But we went back to our friends at Pisco de Oro and finished the long hard day of work with a pisco basil smash. I couldn’t really taste the basil and wasn’t sure the bar man had any idea of what was going on but still I drank it with a smile on my face. I slightly remember drinking a pisco sour after that or maybe I just made that up!

Anyway that was our day I was in bed by 20:00 and was fit for another day in the office. Thanks to everyone we meet at Bar Zone and I am looking forward to the BCB in October.

Mr. Goldman over and out

The Bar Zone Website

Fun & games this week at The Circus and in Berlin

11. Mai 2010 in Bars, Berlin, Circus Hostel, Circus Hotel, Events, Fabisch, Goldman's Bar, Music by Paul | 1 comment

ryantjacobsOnce again we have a packed week in front of us at The Circus, with our usual series of fun happenings down in Goldman’s Bar and in Fabisch, including free beer, live music, singalong karaoke sessions and news of some of our friends taking the city by storm…as usual, our Director of Light Entertainment Andrew has wrapped it all together in a neat little bundle so you can see nice a quickly what’s going down in our part of town…

@ Goldman’s Bar

*** Free keg beer each night of the week for hostel guests,  starting @ 8pm until empty***

Tuesday Night:  Club Night (22:00) – with DJ Lavender (Funk/Soul/Pop/ Indie).

Thursday Night:  Live Music (22:00) with “Rob Longstaff” (Cheesy Soul)  -  Some of you may have seen him perform in his regular summer spot in Mauerpark. He’s a one man show and loads of fun.  (Check out his web-site)

Saturday Night : Karaoke Klub! Things are going to get crazy! Good luck Ben! :)

@ Fabisch

Wednesday night (19:00):  Aperitif  – with fingerfood & Dj Frau Brex.

Friday night (22:00): Live music with  Saudia Young (Dark Caberet) Saudia Young dark Caberet includes the tunes of Brecht, Weill, Waits and Jazz/ Blues standards – as well as some original songs sung in German, French and English.

Sunday Night (21:00): Live music with Rebecca Olmsted (Folk/Pop/Acoustic)

@ Around Town

Thursday 13/5 ZMF – Our good friend and circus guru Dj Keima (Tacawooki) will be spinning some electro grooves starting at 22:00 (Entrance 3 euro)

Thursday 13/5  SO36 – Another Circus guru and friend – Ryan T Jacobs (SEE PHOTO) will be performing at the legendary SO36 in Kreuzburg – with full band -   as part of the “emergenza festival”  Band competition. There are another 6 bands planned to perform on this night ranging from Metal to Hiphop, so might be something for everybody. Go Ryan!

Friday 14/5 Weekend Club – Will.I.am, House of House.  An American rapper, Songwriter, music producer – rose to fame as frontman for hiphop group “The black Eyed Peas” – Is now very occasionally spinning dance tunes in clubs of his liking – This friday being one such occasion.

Saturday 15/5  “Rock the Bloc Party” (74 Torstrasse)  Torstrasse gets ready for the ultimate street party organised by the team at No.74. As one of the Pioneering stores of this road, they invite their good neighbors Pauls Boutique, Undplus collabroom, Soto, Atelier Maison Mallon, Civilist and anyone else who wishes to join them. A bloc party not to be missed!

Sunday 16/5 If the weather is good, Id say get down to Mauerpark for some afternoon beers and Karaoke. Happy days!

Jared’s Bar Experience #5: Windhorst

28. April 2010 in Bars, Berlin by Jared | 1 comment

Windhorst bild(Next up on Jared’s guide to the best bars of Berlin and elsewhere is Windhorst, a great little place in the heart of the city)

Located on a side street close to Friedichstrasse, the Windhorst is a small bar with place for about thirty souls, and every time I have been there the atmosphere has been busy and yet relaxed, usually with some nice jazz on the sound system. This fits the decor, with photographs of jazz legends and a Cuban guy drinking rum looking down from the walls.

The centrepiece, as in all good drinking establishments, is the bar itself. Elegant, beautiful and topped with a nice light wood, it is everything you expect of a bar. But of course, what is most important are the drinks placed upon it. I asked the bartender for a recommendation of something vodka-based but not too sweet. He pointed out a few on the menu, and I selected the Mrs Rockefeller, which is made with vodka, fresh lime juice, cassis and a shot of campari, and finished with grapefruit juice.

It came in a chilled martini glass, and I have to say it tasted very nice. The flavours were complex, and it was not too sweet…it was the fresh lime juice that was the key to the whole drink. The rest of the menu makes it clear that this is a bar run by someone who is passionate about the drinks that are going out, and there are no traditional cocktails. It looks mainly as if these are drinks that have been created in-house and carefully selected.

Altogether I can recommend the Windhorst for good drinks and a pleasant, unpretentious atmosphere. As with all the best bars, you can see the personality of the owner and the bartenders both in how the place looks and feels, and the drinks that they choose to serve. So hop on the tram M1 from outside the Circus, and go and check it out.

WindhorstWindhorst Bar and Lounge
Dorotheenstraße 65, Berlin-Mitte

Open Monday to Friday from 6pm, Saturday from 9pm.
Click on the map for a closer look of how to get there.

19th-25th April – What’s On This Week

20. April 2010 in Bars, Berlin, Circus Hostel, Circus Hotel, Events, Fabisch, Goldman's Bar, Music by Paul | 1 comment

Marta collicaFirst of all, we hope all you travellers out there are getting to your destination, whether it is making your way home or otherwise. Those of you who have made to Berlin, have a number of great things to look forward to this week, both at The Circus and elsewhere in the city. As usual, our Director of Entertaining the People, Andrew Rowley, has put together a great programme of events here at The Circus, as well as his recommendations for the week in the city…

@ The Circus

Tuesday – Goldman’s Bar plays host to Champions League football (Inter vs Barcelona) and then a DJ set from ED2000 (Electro Groves)

Wednesday – Lady Gaby’s Underground Arts Tour, to Kruezberg, Neukoln and Wedding, leaving at 2pm from The Circus Hostel. In the evening Goldman’s Bar is showing the Champions League semi final between Bayern Munich and Lyon. Over at Fabisch at The Circus Hotel it is Aperitif, with finger foods, fine drinks, and tunes from DJ Frau Brex

Thursday – Live Music at Goldman’s Bar from Sarsaparilla (Sci-Fi Folk).

Friday - Live Music at Fabisch from Marta Collica (alternative ballads – SEE PHOTO).

Saturday – Preston’s Berlin On High tour, showcasing some of Berlin’s most memorable views, leaving at 2pm from The Circus Hostel. In the evening at Goldman’s Bar is the one and only, legendary, infamous Circus Karaoke Klub.

Sunday – Live Music at Fabisch from Gosia Winter (gypsy folk)

In Berlin

20/04- Huxley’s Neuewelt (21:00) : John Butler Trio (Folk/Roots/Blues) – These guys are fairly popular in Australia and after playing the festival circuit for many many years are now enjoying some mainstreem susscess ( in an indie kinda way) – Imagine this to be particularly interesting for any Australian backpackers in town.

21/04- Schokoladen (21:00):  Bernhard Eder & Band ( Indie, Acoustic) – This guy performed at Fabisch last week and he was great. Highly recommend seeing him. 

24/04- Babylon:Mitte (20:00):  ” The death of Bunny Munro” - Musician and former longtime guitarist of The Bad Seeds Blixa Bargeld  takes on the challenge of delivering excerpts from Nick Cave’s melancholic new book.

Jared at the Sage Bar School

15. April 2010 in Bars, Berlin, Fabisch by Jared | Comments closed

barschuleberlin_header(Last year our bar manager Jared took a course at the Sage Bar School in Berlin, which was five intense days of bartender training, the results of which you can taste in Fabisch every time you order a drink. Here is his report of what he learned…)

The first thing I learned during the five days at the Sage Bar school is what Berlin is like if you wake up at eight in the morning. After years of working bars at The Circus, it was a revelation to discover that in the daytime the trams are full, and that people in Berlin actually go to work for a living. In between these revelations I also learned plenty about bar history, the different types of alcohol, speed mixing and cocktail building.

The course was led by David Wiedemann, an extremely knowledgable and good teacher, who was a fountain of information about all aspects of working the bar. During the week we learned about cocktails and drinks from the beginning on, including the history of cocktails – and the unique role played by prohibition in its development – the fermentation and distillation process, how different types of bars require different approaches, and then of course the drinks themselves.

The attention to detail was truly impressive, from the discussions about all types of equipment to what kind of ice shovel to use, to the detailed courses on different types of alcohol, including vodka, cachaca, tequila, gin, cognac, brandy, whisky and whiskey, as well as likore, bitters, amaro and champagne. Phew! By the end of the week we were tested on what we had learned, both written and practical, including a speed pouring test and well as cocktail building.

All in all it was a fantastic learning experience, and give me much to think about when it came to our drinks offer at Fabisch. For those who can read German, you can find out more about the Sage Bar School and their courses, from one-day workshops to six-month programmes, on their website.

Activities for an April Week in Berlin

13. April 2010 in Bars, Berlin, Circus Hostel, Circus Hotel, Events, Fabisch, Goldman's Bar, Music by Paul | 2 comments

misskenichiGreetings blog fans! It is a sunny day in Berlin, the first blossom is appearing on Weinbergsweg and slowly but surely the Berliners are thawing out and remembering what it is like to have a good mood. Sitting at tables outside cafes the sun hits those facial muscles and ever so slowly the first smiles of 2010 begin to form.

But we are always in a good mood, whatever the weather (ha!) and as ever we have a load of things going on at the Circus this week. If you scroll down, you can also see Andrew’s selection of tips for stuff happening elsewhere in the city.

@ The Circus

All kinds of things from tours to spoken word events and live music – including Miss Kenichi (see photo). Here’s the lowdown. For those who aren’t sure what is where, you will find Goldman’s Bar at The Circus HOSTEL, and Fabisch at The Circus HOTEL:

Tuesday (MUSIC) – Club Night with DJ Patrice @ Goldman’s Bar
Wednesday (TOUR) – Lady Gaby’s Underground Arts Tour, 2pm @ The Hostel
Wednesday (DRINKS & SOUNDS) – “Aperitif” – Drinks, Fingerfood and Music, 7pm, @ Fabisch
Thursday (PERFORMANCE) – Juggling Performance and class for anyone who wants to try, 10am @ The Hostel
Thursday (CULTURE) – “Das Kulti” language school presents a cultural exchange, theme: Palestinian Food and Music @ Goldman’s Bar
Friday (SPOKEN WORD) – “Word Express”, spoken word and performances, hosted by Lady Gaby @ Goldman’s Bar
Friday (MUSIC) – Live Music with Miss Kenichi (Lofi Indie Pop), 10pm @ Fabisch
Saturday (TOUR) – Berlin on High – Memorable views of the city with Preston, 2pm @ The Hostel
Saturday (EAR DAMAGE) – The infamous, legendary, sparkly and downright euphoric “Karaoke Klub” @ Goldman’s Bar
Sunday (MUSIC) – Live Music with Rebecca Olmsted (Acoustic singer-songwriter), 9pm @ Fabisch

In Berlin

Anyone remember the children’s television show “Why Don’t You?”? Half-term would not have been the same without it. Anyway, here’s what is going on this week in Berlin:

Tuesday – Clarchens Ballhous (22:00)  Tango Party
Wednesday – Tresor Bonito House Club (24:00) (Half price entry for circus Guests, see Goldmans bar staff for details) and/or Soupanova (20:00) Sarsaparilla ( Sci-Fi-Folk)
Thursday – Konrad Tonz (21:00) Australian Music – Jimmy Trash
Friday – Ruder Club – (Electro/Techno party – Free entry for Circus Guests – see our bar staff for details)
Saturday – Berghain (24:00) – Klubnacht ( Marcel Fengler, Norman Nodge) and/or  SO36 (20:00) – Sepultura  (live)
Sunday -  Kaffee Burger (21:00)  Golden souls Disco ( Soul, Funk)

That’s your lot…now why don’t you turn off that computer, and go and do something less boring instead?

Mr Goldman and his Bar

9. April 2010 in Bars, Circus Hostel, Design, Goldman's Bar by Jared | 1 comment

[17]-GOLDMANS-CMYK-web-300dpiIt all started about 8 months ago when we heard that we had the chance to renovate the hostel. The owners asked the bar to brainstorm and that no idea was out of the question. The bar team had a few meetings and over a few drinks an idea formed.

For many months it was all in our head but it one time the owners asked for a more concrete idea of what we wanted. So back to a few more drinks we put all of our ideas on paper and got prices for everything we wanted.

Our budget was cut a bit around the edges but we were happy with what we got and when the hostel closed the bar team consisting of Bazzy our in house artist, Ben our assistant manager, Flo our sound enigineer and of course myself jumped into action.

We ripped the place apart threw everything away that we had never touched, and packed everything that we held dear to us in boxes.

Bazzy was our team leader and was the one that called the shots and told everyone what time we had to show up for work. ( I think he learned a few things from his dad). Ben was always there with a couple of cans of red bull so he could paint up a storm. (Ben surprises us with all kind of talent all the time) Andy was in charge of ordering bread boxes and a lighting rack that was only 2 meters to long. Flo was cutting speaker cable that nobody had an idea to where it went. Me well I just mostly surpervised and came in at the end of the day to have a beer in an empty bar.

We worked long hard days and Bazzy worked long nights cutting stensils and doing strange things that he can only get away with at night. It went slowly but at one time the crunch came along and we really had to spring into action. We got everything done we needed a week before opening and had time to enjoy our work and put the final polish on all the ideas that are now reality.

It was a bumpy ride with differences of opion and you know what its like to deal with aritists but in the end we all came through with an end product that we can be proud of.

I would just like to thank the owners for their financial support and there just do it attitude, Bazzy for pulling through another rennvoation and taking on at times more than he was expected or asked to do, Ben for jumping in and doing what ever but always there and willing to work, Flo for being Flo and getting those cables done without messing them up in the time he said he would, Andy for our new bread box and getting the lighting rack cut down and the support of the hosuy team for putting up with our crazyness.

Thank you to all the above people. I learned a lot during this renovation that is priceless and we are off to a good start. We hope that the guests coming to our bar enjoy it because we did it for you.

Mr. G

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