Solar Berlin

Sky above the city

You might think SOLAR is one of those new, perfectly staged sky bars. In reality, the name has been above the rooftops at Anhalter Bahnhof since 2005 – and in that time has developed into a small institution above Berlin. From below, the Excelsiorhaus on Stresemannstrasse looks rather rough, almost inconspicuous. But anyone who enters the courtyard and steps into the glazed external elevator immediately understands why so many people fall in love with the city here: At a height of around 70 meters, the view opens up, first into the sky restaurant on the 16th floor, and one floor higher into the sky bar on the 17th floor – both with a breathtaking 270-degree panorama.

And the best thing is: From our hotels fjord hotel berlin, LINDEMANN’S and the YARD, SOLAR is so easily accessible that it works perfectly as an “evening finale” – whether it’s date night, a friends trip, or after-work drinks.

What makes SOLAR so special

SOLAR is located in Kreuzberg at Stresemannstraße 76 (courtyard) – you go in, and instead of a classic club entrance, you are greeted by understatement. And then comes the part that you can safely announce as a small attraction: the glazed external elevator that takes you directly from the entrance on the ground floor up to the sky restaurant. Spectacular, a little exciting – and definitely the perfect “Okay, this is going to be good” feeling even before the first drink.

Up there, you are literally “above Berlin”: SOLAR sits on the 16th and 17th floors and offers you an incredible 270-degree panorama at a height of approx. 70 meters – sunset included. The fact that this place so consistently follows its own line has a lot to do with one person: Rik Verweyen, born in West Berlin and managing owner and “face” of SOLAR since its opening. Together with his partner Franco Mey, he leads a team of around 45 people and a location that deliberately does not spread sterile “sky lounge vibes”, but rather functions like an urban living room above the city.

Restaurant or bar – how does the evening go at SOLAR?

SOLAR is not just “a bar with a view.” It’s more of a two-story evening:

• Restaurant (16th floor): Dinner with a view – ideal if you want a fixed plan.

• Rooftop/Sky Bar (17th floor): Drinks, DJ vibe, lounge atmosphere.

And the signature detail in between: the DJ elevator. Here, the DJ travels up and down between the floors with his DJ desk – the vibe always travels with him – sometimes up in the sky bar, sometimes down in the restaurant.

If you want to maximize the wow moment: start at sunset (first dinner or first drink), then just let yourself drift – SOLAR is built exactly for this “we’ll stay a little longer” feeling.

Food at SOLAR – sharing style, strong products, clear signature

Anyone who only remembers SOLAR as a sky bar is missing the second half of the story: The kitchen deliberately plays at “dinner level” – only without a stiff attitude. The restaurant works with strong flavors, fresh products of high quality and a menu that is intended for sharing, tasting and enjoying together. Executive Chef Jon Kremin and his team are pursuing exactly this sharing approach with the aim of creating creative compositions and modern classics.

On the menu, you quickly notice that not just “anything” is served here, but that products and origin are consciously named: There is, for example, roasted Sylt white bread from Jochen Gaues – as “Die Stulle”, optionally with North Sea crab or US beef tartare. If you like it more luxurious, you will find Oscietra caviar from Imperial Caviar Berlin. The signature is also evident in the centerpieces: KIKOK corn-fed chicken comes with mountain cheese from JUMI, and even ham from the Havelland apple pig brings a nice Berlin-Brandenburg flavor to the plate. At the same time, vegan options are not an alibi here – including a vegan steak from PLANTED as well as several vegan appetizers and side dishes. And if you like fresh, clear flavors, you can try different ceviche variations.

If you get hungry after the sunset drink (or want to keep the evening deliberately “easy”), you can also treat yourself to bar food in the bar until 10:00 p.m. And that’s not just a few nuts on the counter, but real comfort food with a SOLAR twist.

Highlight (and Berlin star on the bar food menu): the currywurst from the Havelland apple pig. Served with French fries, mayonnaise and a Jaipur curry from Ingo Holland – exactly the kind of dish that is typical of Berlin, but here it comes with better products and a pinch of “we’re serious about this.” Ideal as a late-evening snack, sharing accompaniment to the second drink or as an uncomplicated conclusion before heading back to the hotel.

Solar shows product awareness, names origin and partners in several places and thus makes it transparent that not just “anything” falls on the plate here.

Drinks & Music: DJ evenings are part of the concept

SOLAR has also been so popular for years because it doesn’t just feel like a “restaurant” or “rooftop bar”, but like a Berlin night with style: creative drinks, lounge setting – and regular DJs. The current times/line-ups vary, but SOLAR actively communicates its DJ evenings and opening hours (e.g. via its own website and Instagram).

Musically, SOLAR is pleasantly versatile: Depending on the evening, the DJ sound ranges from Soulful Vibes and Deephouse to Jazzy Electronica, Balearic House and Downbeat to Hip Hop – curated by renowned names such as DJ Jauche, DJ Valis and Cup of Jazz. Mini-tip: If you’re going for the atmosphere, check the calendar shortly beforehand – then you’ll catch exactly the vibe you want.

Quickly from our hotels to SOLAR

SOLAR is so centrally located that it works great as an evening spot from all three hotels – only with a different “starting feeling”:

The Fjord Hotel Berlin is quiet, yet very central and is only 5 minutes from the Solar by taxi/Uber – ideal if you want to relax for a short time after a long day before plunging into the night.

At LINDEMANN’S you are in the middle of urban Berlin in Schöneberg/Potsdamer Straße – perfect if you want to do some Kiez, food or gallery hopping beforehand and then switch to “skyline mode”. It takes less than 15 minutes by taxi/Uber.

Our boutique hotel the YARD is located in Kreuzberg – so you’re already in the right movie anyway. First courtyard-calm, then an outside elevator and Berlin above. From the YARD, you can also reach the Solar in just 5 minutes by taxi/Uber.

Our “perfect SOLAR evening” plan in 3 variations

SOLAR Berlin: Stresemannstraße 76 (courtyard), 10963 Berlin

Restaurant: for reservations

Walk-ins: for the bar – depending on capacity – “walk-ins welcome”.