Tag Archives: Holzmarkt

The Scene – Sustainable Berlin

Can sex save the world? Berlin moans “yeees“. NGO Fuck For Forrest sells home-made erotic videos to buy a piece of rainforest and save the indigenous population. Sustainability meets hedonism. Level: Berlin. In a city where dreamers become makers, sustainable lifestyle has become an increasingly profitable business opportunity. Eco start ups, healthy eateries and sustainable business models create the chance for a greener future. Not just for Berlin, but the whole world.

FUCK FOR FOREST – Trailer from Michal Marczak on Vimeo.

Berlin-based Veganz is Europe’s first vegan supermarket chain. Their outlets are surrounded by organic eateries like The Bowl, urban gardens like Princess Garden or Holzmarkt and fair-trade fashion brands such as Wunderwerk and Bleed Clothing. Even more remarkable are Berlin’s trendsetting eco start ups. At Luritec, they’re fighting pollution with a clever system that prevents wastewater from being discharged into rivers and oceans. Europe’s biggest aquaponics project ECF is an eco-friendly urban fishfarm that uses nutrient rich water from their farm to grow vegetables indoor. The all-new eco center for out-of-the-box thinking is Circular Economy House CRCLR. Here you’ll find workshops, exhibitions and panels about resilience, longevity and circular economy. Circular economy describes a system without waste, just like nature’s own ecosystem. Wouldn’t it be great to live in a world without pollution?

When you’re in Berlin, open your mind and explore these innovative start ups. Make sure to visit at least ECF Farm Systems to be amazed, Wunderwerk to shop sustainably and Holzmarkt to enjoy a drink in an urban oasis. Still not sure where to begin? Write us a love letter and we’ll organize a tour for you that would make even Al Gore proud.

The Scene – Summer’s Hottest Openings

The sun’s shining, dresses get shorter by the day and the hipsters on Torstraße can finally drink their club mate until sunrise on the street again. Even if you’re not looking to get your party game on, summer is a hugely interesting time. New restaurants and eateries sprout up in spring, and summer shows who’s on the road to full bloom. Naturally you can’t check them all out, so trust your favourite lifestyle agency to find  the best ones. We compiled a list of 8 hot new restaurants this summer. Each and every venue is a real tongue pleaser.

Gärtnerei
With all the hedonism at night, it’s no wonder there’s a craze for healthy food temples. Gärtnerei in Mitte is the latest landmark for exceptional vegetarian restaurants. The interior is an atmospheric oasis boasting green plush couches and a small bar counter. The menu is minimalistic – just the three main ingredients per dish are revealed. Fear not – for unwavering carnivores there’s also a few choice dishes with meat.

Golden Phoenix
Duc Ngo is Kuchi’s founder and the mastermind behind 893 Ryotei. He’s also one of the most formative wizards behind Berlin’s young dining scene. In Hotel Provocateur’s in-house restaurant Golden Phoenix, he’s fusing french and asian cuisine. His aim is to cook the dishes from his childhood, just even better. Is it even possible to top grandmother’s recipes? Find out in good old West Berlin.

Katerschmaus
You’ll find this new gem in recently opened Holzmarkt. It boasts lovely modern cuisine right by the Spree on the former premises of Berlin’s notorious Bar25. Kitchen head Hayk Seirig was already chef when they were serving beats rather than food, but how times change! The real candy: You can stay at surrounding Holzmarkt for beers, laughs and company after or before dinner. It’s an urban getaway for locals and travellers alike.

PeterPaul
Let’s face it: If you’re super hungry, you’ll need to make quite an order at PeterPaul. They serve delicious German cuisine (yes, it exists) in snack-sized portions. The recipes are a blast from the past, served as modern interpretations. Think Königsberger meatballs, rolled beef, Swabian ravioli in exciting new variations. What made it stand out: The great atmosphere mixed with rich flavours and a superb Austrian wine selection.

Vertikal
Vertikal’s house facade is covered by an impressive ocean of plants. Their food is just as exciting. Contemporary European cuisine with Asian and African influences. Now, if that doesn’t sound promising! Owner Claire from New York came here 7 years ago – for love. After trying her toast with roasted onion, pickled avocado, goat cheese and poached egg, we know it’s the same reason we’ll be coming to Vertikal for the next 7 years.

Con Tho
Con Tho’s a culinary oasis in the middle Neukölln’s hustle and bustle. They put emphasis on serving “healing” food, so 2/3 of ingredients stem from regional productions. Their amazing selection of drinks was made with the knowledge of buddhists monks. Expect vietnamese vegetarian & vegan cuisine cooked to perfection.

Good Bank
Innovation done right: Good Bank grows its own food. Behind the small venue’s counter there’s an in-shop farming system that grows salad. Obviously they can’t grow all their ingredients in their restaurant, but it’s still a definite step towards more urban sustainability. You can choose your ingredients and create your own super-fresh food experience as you sit. The future is now.

Spreegold meets Bikini
Spreegold is the perfect all-rounder for upscale fast food in atmospheric venues. They serve great breakfast, salads, pasta, burgers, steaks and bar food at night. Their outlet at Bikini Berlin is their third venue in Berlin and stretches across three floors. First floor – to-go area for quick eats. Second floor – restaurant, lounge areas and workspace with 350 seats. Third floor – rooftop bar with great views of the surrounding area. When the weather’s good you can dine al fesco on their spacious rooftop terrace.

The scene meets Neue Heimat (yummy!)

Here’s one for the all the lovers of our beautiful german language out there – das Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk (RAW). When you’re done untwisting your tongue, the idea might hit you that this must be some sort of complicated german disease. Nope, all wrong. The world actually means „repair station of the imperial railway“and as it happens with most things in Berlin that you take your eyes off for a few years, it was soon stripped of its initial purpose and revived to a totally different life. The RAW premises are now known for their wild mix of night clubs, bars, artistic spaces and trend sport activity venues and attract thousands of visitors on any weekend of the year. Now the makers of the infamous Bar25 and Chalet Club joined the fun to add yet another facette to the beloved RAW.

The village market „Neue Heimat“ recently opened its doors in two industrial halls located on the premises. Thankfully they’ve been going easy on the renovations – you can still smell the scent of Berlin hanging in the air as you stroll through the area and be sure, it is by far not the only scent that draws your attention. Delicious food is to be had on every corner of the beautifully arranged  village and food market. We got disquietingly close to several culinary orgasms while eating our long way through the food shops.

Two friendly looking french guys had us coming close for the first time when cooking some spicy mediterranean sausages with a sensational yoghurt&herb sauce, served in a hotdog bun. You like meat, this is the place. If you’re brave enough for a daring cultural blend – behind the „Buns“ truck an english fella cooks tasty chorizo burgers and fish and chips.

All in all there’s more than 20 culinary options to choose from and enough food to feed even the hungriest of stomachs. Specialities from all around the globe and a mix of well-known street food veterans from the area create an international flair right in the heart of the city. You’ll also find entertainment here throughout the weekend – they also feature a design market with fashion shops, art and music. Their website even announced an extended christmas market a few days ago!

With the makers of Bar25 running this place, we’re sure there’ll soon be even more on the menue. And now, off the Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk! (extra points for correct pronunciation)

The scene: Berlin’s hottest beach bars.

Holzmarkt

From the legends that were Kater Holtzig and famed Bar 25 comes Holzmarkt, in the same spot that was the old Bar 25. The massive HolzMarket has a big vision to realise – a luxury hotel, cheap accommodation, cultural centre plus a start up incubator. Right now, it’s a super cool club with great sounds, food and drinks. The future is wide open. Watch this space.

Sage Restaurant 

In absolute prime position on the Spree, Sage Restaurant opens its sandy terrace up for chilling, dancing, relaxing, eating and drinking. Fab and glam.

Strandbar

This was the first Berlin beach bar. Watch the tourist boats float by, whilst chill out music floats on the steamy hot air creating a chilled out atmosphere. Nighttime, the outdoor dance floor rocks to DJ’s or couples showing off their ballroom and salsa dancing skills.

Kiki Blofeld

Back in the day, Bar 25’s across the river neighbour was Kiki Blofeld. Now, they’ve opened up further up the Spree in Oberschoeneweide in the Köpenick district. Situated in one of the old Reinbeck industrial halls, the beach bar is right on the waterfront. It makes for the perfect summer spot, for drinks, dancing and there’s even a volleyball court for the active. Look out for Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams, who is converting the old industrial hall next door into an exhibition space and studio.

Badeschiff

Berliners really know how to rock a pool. Literally translated Badeschiff means the Bath Ship, which is essentially what is it. Made from a recycled hull of a river cargo ship, the swimming pool floats on the river Spree. Don’t expect to be doing laps as the pool gets packed during the height of summer and sizzles with overt sexiness and trendy good-looking people. Connected by wooden boardwalks, there’s a sandy beach area perfect for sunbathing and an open-air bar open that until midnight, where you can hear the best of Berlin’s music scene.