Bar Brutal 54 — Restaurant in Berlin

I’ve been to this bar a few times before, a bit pretentious maybe, but they do serve excellent cocktails. Unfortunately, my last visit completely changed my opinion.

I ordered three Helles beers, nothing fancy, and the bartender (a tall blonde guy wearing a cropped t-shirt, definitely not German) handed me the card terminal while casually chatting with a friend at the bar. When I pressed “no tip,” he looked at the screen, laughed, and said loudly:

“Well, that was the wrong button, but hey, it’s okay to be poor!”

He said this in front of everyone, with a smirk and a condescending tone, as if it were a joke at my expense. It was humiliating and completely uncalled for. I understand that tipping can be a sensitive topic, but there’s no excuse for publicly mocking a customer especially when all I did was order a few beers.

To highlight something positive, the woman who was working that evening was extremely kind and professional, a real contrast to his attitude.

I always thought this bar was a bit snobbish, but I expected the staff to at least be respectful. After this experience, neither I nor my friends will be coming back. Respect should come before attitude, no matter how “cool” a place...

Nice bar with decent cocktails. Sometimes that's all you need. For the sake of reviewing:

The booths are nice to sit in with a small company. Also ideal for a date. Ambience is a bit loud, but that just makes it worth your while a bit more: makes for clear conversation in my opinion. Selection of cocktails are, as most cocktail places, nice riffs on the classics. I like how they approached the sours, wasn't convinced by the espresso martini (too little coffee) but tried a few others and they were very decent.

At a certain time the outside seating is prohibited (for neighbours I think) so either get there on time or have a...

Bar Brutal 54 is a smoky, dimly lit fever dream that somehow became my second home. The drinks are strong, the lighting is forgiving, and conversations seem to start and end in the same sentence. Time moves strangely here. I’ve spent entire evenings thinking it was still 11pm.

My only complaint: no mirror in the bathroom. I often emerge looking like a cursed Victorian doll left out in the rain. But honestly, that feels on brand.

Ps— Shout it to Josie, coolest chick & always makes the...