Klunkerkranich

Klunkerkranich is a rooftop bar, garden and event space on top of the Neukölln Arcaden shopping centre on Karl-Marx-Strasse. Built on the upper deck of the car park, it feels a world away from the shopping mall below, with planted beds, wooden decks, string lights and a relaxed, homemade atmosphere. It has become one of the best-loved places in Berlin to watch the sunset.

The views are the first draw. From the roof you look out over the low rooftops of Neukölln towards the TV Tower and the city centre, and the open sky makes it a lovely place on a warm evening. The second draw is the programme. Klunkerkranich is a cultural venue as much as a bar, hosting DJs, concerts, drag shows and themed nights across its spaces, and at weekends parts of it work as a club. Upcoming events are listed on its website, with tickets for some events sold online.

The venue suits groups of friends, couples and solo travellers who want an informal, sociable evening with a local crowd. Drinks are simple and affordable. The entry policy is deliberately low-threshold, but on popular evenings there can be a charge for entry or for specific events, so check the programme for the night you plan to go. On sunny summer evenings, arrive early to avoid queues for the lift.

Klunkerkranich is very seasonal. In summer it is open regularly from the afternoon, while in the colder months it moves to a reduced off-season schedule, with opening on selected days only. Always check the current opening days on the website before you go. Dress for the weather, as much of the space is outdoors and it can be windy on the roof.

The venue is a good example of how Berlin turns unlikely spaces into places to meet, and it reflects the creative, community spirit of Neukölln, a district that has changed quickly in recent years. Even if you only stay for one drink at sunset, it gives a very different view of the city from the classic sights in the centre.

To get there, enter the Neukölln Arcaden at the entrance by the library and post office and take the lift to the 5th floor. Rathaus Neukölln station on the U7 is right next to the shopping centre, and Karl-Marx-Strasse station is also close. The bars and restaurants of the Weserstrasse area, the Schillerkiez and Tempelhofer Feld are all within a short walk.