baustelle bar/café 

at the michelberger hotel | berlin

The Michelberger had started with the dream of a little boy, Tom, who wanted to live with all of his friends in a big apartment.  With the help of his closest friends who shared the same passion to create and some love from the sponsors, his dreams eventually took shape, in the form of the Michelberger hotel.

The Baustelle bar/café serves as the hotel’s hangout and feeding area.  Tucked amidst crates and cages of books and magazines, you can sip from a cup of espresso while your friend enjoys a bottle of Rothaus or a bowl of Gulash soup.  

The airy space is filled with self-designed elements, repurposed chairs, and classic lamps. Garden-picked flowers dotting the tables add a feel of ease.  Although the fully-equipped liquor bar seem like a mismatch, the delicately-foamed cappuccino confirms that I'm in a serious coffeehouse.

I adore the illustrations on these menus, the printing-on-wood idea, and the whole nonchalant, spontaneous creativity that surrounds the space.  Utilizing both sides of the board, the menu is whimsically designed with coffeehouse items on one side, and bar drinks on the reverse.

I can hang out here all day.  

Just as you think this place is as versatile as it gets, it transforms again by nightfall, turning into a venue for live concerts, dinner parties, and at times, disco galore.

If you’re lucky to be in town on Fridays, be sure to attend the “disco dinner.” The restaurant serves a 3-course dinner for just 25 euros, including drinks like wine and beer.  After dinner you can move to the bar where the DJs are playing their favorite records.  I guess this is not just Tom’s dream after all!