BrewDog DogTap Berlin — Restaurant in Berlin

My family and I spent a month in Berlin this summer, a city we know well from our time living there. Being familiar with BrewDog from our time in the UK, we were excited to try this location. Let's be honest—the place looks fantastic!

And indeed, it is fantastic. With a variety of games, good food and drinks, and a family-friendly atmosphere, we enjoyed it so much that we visited three times. So, what could possibly go wrong?

On our last visit, Friday 16th August at 18:00, we sat outside and ordered food. It was a pleasant experience overall—the food was good, and our server was friendly. However, things took a turn when it came time to settle the bill. In Berlin, as in the UK, it’s not expected to tip for pub-style dining, and the card machines usually don’t even offer the option. But this time, the machine prompted me to add a tip. Without giving it much thought, I selected 'no'.

What followed was an awkward and rather unpleasant encounter. The server called me out on not tipping. At first, I thought he was joking and made a light-hearted comment about being British, not American. Unfortunately, he wasn’t amused and wouldn’t drop the issue. I tried to explain that I’m genuinely not used to tipping in Germany and that when I do tip, I usually do so in cash, but certainly not when prompted by a machine.

My family and I were left quite shocked—it was all so unnecessary. The more I reflected on this small but uncomfortable incident during our drive home, the more disappointed I felt. This is a great place that I would certainly recommend, but what a silly situation to find ourselves in.

In the US, tipping is deeply ingrained in the culture and often compensates for low base salaries in the service industry. But that’s simply not the case in places like Germany or the UK. Tipping here is generally reserved for exceptional service, and it’s usually the customer who decides to initiate it.

I hope management takes note of this, as it seems to be a training issue. Although, to be fair, the waiter in question appeared to be in his 40s or 50s.

I will visit again, but I do hope to be served by a different...

I had my birthday at brewdog Mariendorf and my reservation was for 35 people (I received the confirmation email and even lined up some things with the person who responded to the email). When I got there, I spent approximately 30 minutes at the entrance waiting for some staff to appear and direct me to my reserved table. No one showed up so I went in and looked table by table until I found my name. I didn't find it and halfway there an employee approached me saying that I needed to wait at the entrance. Ok, I went back and waited for another 10 minutes until someone showed up. The person couldn't find my reserved table and said he would check and be right back. I continued waiting and the manager came back to resolve the problem and he said that there was some confusion with my reservation but that he would provide 3 high tables near the bowling alley. At that time, some guests were already there with me waiting for the problem to be solved, and one of my guests is pregnant and kindly asked if we could sit at low tables, because it would be bad for her to be high due to her pregnancy. The rude and disrespectful manager just replied: no, these are the tables, if you didn't like them you can leave. I really wanted to leave, but unfortunately I was waiting for 35 people and I couldn't change the place at such short notice. I was very disappointed with the lack of respect and professionalism. After all this, the service at the table was good and I have nothing to complain about, but when I went to sing happy birthday and serve the cake, they informed me that I would need to pay €1.50 per person for the cake. This information should have been given when I made the reservation, and not as a surprise. I took the cake, I took cutlery and a disposable plate, I don't understand why they need to...

Was sceptic to how Brewdog would handle and change the epic Stone location but they have done wonderfully! More industrial look to it now without loosing the charm and flexibility such a huge venue offers. Small library/reading room as you enter with a lobby bar next to it. The day we visited we came early (12am) and the main bar opened 4pm so we ordered our first beers at the lobby bar which has a reduced selection but with bottles available you will be fine until the main bar opens.

Brewery tours are offered daily both in English and German (separate tours). The amazing thing about the venue is all you can do beside drink beer: free minigolf, free shuffleboard, free ping pong, board games, books, an arcade section with pinball machines and arcades, an outside seating with beach chairs and bean bag games and more.

Venue itself is awesome within the old gas factory in the industrial area of Berlin. Huge open area divided into different sections both for eating and drinking. A small beer "museum" up the stairs where you also got some seating and a awesome view of the venue an own area dedicated to "Beer school", an area with home brewing kits to make your own beer. Gaming area, huge outdoor area to enjoy in the summer or for a smoke.

Other part of the venue is divided by a huge glass wall to make you see straight into the huge brewery which is awesome.

Staff was friendly and helpful while visiting (although asking for sand for the shuffleboard got me into an awkward situation with the manager who thought me a fool to do that cause he didn't trust people with his sand.) Beers were good, an awesome location that has it all! Well worth the visit even tho it might be a hassle to get out here with...