Berlin rooftop bars guide — Klunkerkranich, Monkey Bar, and the best views
What is the best rooftop bar in Berlin?
Klunkerkranich on top of the Neukölln Arcaden shopping centre is the most distinctive — a community garden and bar on a roof, free or donation entry, extraordinary skyline view. Monkey Bar at the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin near the Zoo offers a polished cocktail bar with a view over the Tiergarten. For a high-rise view, the Bar at the top of the Humboldt Forum terrace is free.
What are the best rooftop bars in Berlin? The city is not known for skyscraper density — Berlin has relatively few tall buildings and strict height restrictions in the centre. This makes genuine rooftop bars rarer and more distinctive than in many European capitals. The ones that exist tend to have either excellent value (Klunkerkranich) or polished hotel-bar experience (Monkey Bar, GRACE).
Klunkerkranich — the community rooftop
Klunkerkranich (Karl-Marx-Strasse 66, Neukölln) sits on the roof of the Neukölln Arcaden shopping centre in south Berlin. It is part rooftop garden, part community space, part bar — a combination that exists nowhere else in the city.
The setting: a planted rooftop with scrubby garden beds, wooden pallets as furniture, a bar serving beer and simple cocktails, and an unobstructed view stretching north across the entire Berlin skyline including the Fernsehturm. It was created by a collective of Berlin artists and activists who negotiated the space from the shopping centre owners. It has been operating since 2013.
What it looks like: Not the polished rooftop terrace of a hotel bar. Intentionally rough-edged — mismatched furniture, outdoor bar, community garden aesthetic. This is not a flaw but a feature.
The view: Genuinely excellent. Berlin’s flat topography means that even a 6-storey height gives unobstructed sightlines in all directions. The TV Tower is visible to the north. Sunsets from here are among the best in the city.
Music: Klunkerkranich programs DJ nights on weekends and some weekday evenings. The music varies by event — check their programme. Non-event access is quieter and more relaxed.
Entry: Free during the day. Events charge a donation at the door (typically €3-€5). Cash only.
Opening hours: Roughly April through October, afternoon until late. The garden closes in winter. Hours are event-dependent — check klunkerkranich.org before visiting.
Getting there: U8 to Karl-Marx-Strasse. The entrance is via the stairwell inside the Neukölln Arcaden, accessible from Karl-Marx-Strasse.
The honest take: The best-value elevated view in Berlin. It lacks the polished service of hotel rooftop bars but has more character and soul than any of them. Worth a trip specifically if you are not already in Neukölln for another reason.
Monkey Bar — polished Charlottenburg option
Monkey Bar (Budapester Strasse 40, Charlottenburg) is on the 10th floor of the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, occupying a glass-fronted terrace that overlooks the elephant enclosure at Berlin Zoo on one side and the Tiergarten on the other.
The hotel opened in 2013 and Monkey Bar became one of Berlin’s highest-profile cocktail venues almost immediately. It is unambiguously a hotel bar — professional service, polished design, a well-curated cocktail list, and prices that reflect the location.
The view: West Berlin Charlottenburg skyline, Zoo, and Tiergarten. The Gedächtniskirche (Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church) is visible from the terrace. It is more manicured than Klunkerkranich but less dramatically interesting as a panorama.
Cocktails: €14-€18. Beer €6-€8. The cocktail menu is strong and changes seasonally. There is table food as well — snacks and sharing plates rather than a full dinner menu.
Reservations: Strongly recommended on weekends, particularly for terrace seating. Book via the 25hours Hotel website. Walk-in is possible during the week and early evenings.
Opening hours: Daily from noon or early afternoon until late (typically 2am on weekends). The terrace is seasonal — enclosed in winter, fully open in summer.
Getting there: U9 to Kurfürstendamm, or U2/U9 to Zoologischer Garten. 5-minute walk.
The honest take: A genuinely good cocktail bar that happens to have a view. The price premium over most Berlin bars is real but the quality of service and drinks justifies it for a special evening. If you want a rooftop experience that functions like a proper bar rather than a community space, this is the right choice.
GRACE Rooftop — Hotel Zoo Berlin
GRACE (Kurfürstendamm 25, Charlottenburg) is the rooftop bar of the Hotel Zoo, a historic luxury hotel on Kurfürstendamm that was renovated in 2017. The bar and terrace occupy the top floor with views toward the Tiergarten.
The setting: More formally designed than Monkey Bar — hotel rooftop bar aesthetics with curated furniture and ambient lighting. It hosts regular events and DJ nights.
Cocktails: €14-€18. Similar price point to Monkey Bar.
Getting there: U9/U2 to Zoologischer Garten.
The honest take: Very similar to Monkey Bar in price and concept, slightly lower-profile. If Monkey Bar is fully booked, GRACE is the natural alternative in the same area.
House of Weekend — Alexanderplatz
House of Weekend (Alexanderplatz 7, 15th floor) is a rooftop club on top of a commercial building at Alexanderplatz. Unlike Monkey Bar or Klunkerkranich, it operates primarily as a club rather than a bar — DJ programming, higher entry price on event nights (€10-€15), and more club-oriented atmosphere.
View: Looking west from Alexanderplatz, the view includes the TV Tower (from very close) and the roofscapes of Mitte toward the Brandenburg Gate.
When it works: If you want to combine a rooftop view with dancing, House of Weekend delivers. As a quiet bar for cocktails with a view, it is less suited.
Getting there: U2/U5/U8 to Alexanderplatz.
Bar at the Humboldt Forum terrace
The rooftop terrace of the Humboldt Forum on Museum Island (between the Cathedral and the Palace) is publicly accessible and free. It offers views over the Dom and Museum Island with the TV Tower in the background. The terrace bar serves drinks at moderate prices (not significantly cheaper than Monkey Bar).
This is not a nightlife destination but a good early evening option before dinner in Mitte — particularly in summer, when the rooftop is open until dusk.
Getting there: S-Bahn to Hackescher Markt, then walk 10 minutes, or take the U5 to Museumsinsel when that station opens.
Rooftop view at the Berlin TV Tower
Not strictly a bar, but the revolving restaurant and observation deck at the Fernsehturm at Alexanderplatz gives the highest vantage point in Berlin at 207 metres. Cocktails in the restaurant level cost €10-€14. The restaurant requires advance booking and a separate entry ticket (see the Berlin TV Tower guide).
Comparing the options
| Venue | Price level | Atmosphere | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klunkerkranich | Low (€3-€9) | Community, outdoor | Value, sunset, local feel |
| Monkey Bar | High (€14-€18 cocktails) | Polished hotel bar | Quality cocktails, west Berlin view |
| GRACE Hotel Zoo | High (€14-€18 cocktails) | Hotel rooftop | Alternative to Monkey Bar |
| House of Weekend | Medium + entry | Club | Combined view + dancing |
| Humboldt Forum terrace | Medium | Tourist-accessible | Free viewing, daytime/early evening |
Frequently asked questions about Berlin rooftop bars guide
Is Klunkerkranich free?
During events and DJ nights, Klunkerkranich charges a donation at the entrance (typically €3-€5). During the day and for non-event access it is often free. Check their social channels for current event schedules. The rooftop is closed in winter (roughly November to March depending on weather).Do Berlin rooftop bars require reservations?
Monkey Bar accepts reservations and is strongly recommended on weekend evenings. Klunkerkranich operates walk-in (plus event donation). GRACE (Hotel Zoo Rooftop) may have a waiting list on busy nights. Most other rooftop venues are walk-in.What do drinks cost at Berlin rooftop bars?
Monkey Bar and GRACE charge hotel-bar prices — cocktails €14-€18, beer €6-€8. Klunkerkranich is significantly cheaper — beer €3-€5, simple cocktails €6-€9. The Grill Royal terrace on the Spree is mid-range at €10-€14 per cocktail. Budget accordingly.Which rooftop bar has the best view of the TV Tower?
Klunkerkranich in Neukölln has one of the most striking views of the Fernsehturm (TV Tower) from the south, particularly at sunset. The NENI Berlin restaurant on the 10th floor of the 25hours Hotel has good views toward Mitte. The TV Tower's own revolving restaurant is covered in the TV Tower guide.Are there rooftop bars near the city centre?
Yes. The Dachgarten Restaurant on the Reichstag building's rooftop terrace serves lunch and dinner with views of the Tiergarten and government district — book in advance via bundestag.de. The House of Weekend on Alexanderplatz has a rooftop club. GRACE on Kurfürstendamm has views toward the Zoo and Tiergarten.What is the best time to visit Berlin rooftop bars?
Sunset timing depends on season — Berlin summer sunsets are as late as 9:30pm. For Klunkerkranich, arriving 1-2 hours before sunset and staying through dusk gives the best experience. Monkey Bar works well from late afternoon onward. Winter rooftop access is limited across most venues.Are there rooftop bars in east Berlin?
Klunkerkranich (Neukölln/south), House of Weekend (Alexanderplatz, Mitte), and the roof terrace at the nhow Berlin hotel in Friedrichshain all have rooftop or elevated bars on the east side of the city.
