Lovis Bar - Artful Bar in Charlottenburg
in short…
magnificent bar in a vault hidden behind ivy
for lovers of experimentation - mysterious drinks from the coordinate system
perfect overall aesthetics - the delicate room painting by Laurent Ajina
Tucked away in the enchanted courtyard of the Wilmina Hotel, the Lovis Bar reveals itself behind a black ivy-draped door.
We descend a few steps into a historic vaulted cellar, where French artist Laurent Ajina has adorned the walls with delicate black lines on white lime plaster, giving the space a distinctive charm.
But it’s not just the design that sets the Lovis Bar apart. The drinks are as artful as the setting - imaginative, intricate concoctions crafted from mysterious, unlabeled bottles, measured and mixed with tiny beakers and pipettes.
Alongside these exquisite cocktails, the bar serves refined bar food that not only pairs beautifully with the bold drinks but could easily hold its own as a light dinner.
Wilmina’s signature sourdough bread with whipped butter, house-made mixed pickles, a cheese selection from Blomeyer’s, and vintage sardines all helped keep our heads (relatively) clear while also providing a delightful culinary experience in their own right.
In fact, arriving a little earlier to enjoy all the Lovis Bar has to offer is a highly recommended plan.
The Lovis cocktail menu is designed like a coordinate system, categorizing drinks from sweet to dry and light to intense.
Descriptions such as „White Blossom-Apple-Smoke“ or “Rowan Berry-Pine-Lemon” hint at the flavor profiles, but the specifics remain a mystery.
The bartender, like the amber-toned bottles, keeps his secrets close, adding an element of intrigue and adventure to every order.
For those who aren’t quite ready to stray from the familiar and insist on Gin & Tonic or Aperol Spritz, the attentive and skilled bartenders are happy to oblige.
However, even for these staples he relies on highest quality ingredients rather than the usual branded fare.
And when we overhear a neighboring table order a Rum & Cola, we’re impressed by the bartender’s poise.
“We have rum. We have cola. I’ll make it for you,” he says with a smile.
Needless to say, it’s not Coca-Cola that is meant.
We opt for “Mirabelle-Rice-Coffee” and “Pear-Caramel-Herbs“ and we are thrilled.
Emboldened, we next try “Grape-Licorice-Gummy Bear” and “Red Fruit-Chalk-Minerals.”
The latter earns us a nod of approval from the bartender for our daring choice - it sits firmly in the bottom-right corner of the flavor chart - very intense and very dry.
The chalky note takes getting used to - but is nevertheless fascinating!
