"You’ll know you’ve arrived at this inconspicuous canalside bar on Maybachufer when you see a crowded window lined with shoes and condensation. While the listening bar isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, if you, like us, crave a change from Berlin’s dark smoky spaces, head to Kwia with an open mind (and some socks on, as you’ll need to take your shoes off at the door). The drinks are reason enough to visit this purple-hued Kreuzkölln spot, with fun cocktails garnished with lavender, natural wines, and nightly DJ sets. You don’t come to Kwia to catch up with a friend you haven’t seen in months, so avoid the chillout area and head to the sound room, where you can listen to ambient music sandwiched between the zoned-out bodies of strangers melting into the floor cushions. As the name suggests, this is a queer bar." - olivia ladanyi
