Bryk Bar – Berlin

I found my way into Bryk bar very late at night. I got the tip from Gabriel at Lebensstern, that there is this rather new and special bar in Prenzlauer Berg. I asked why special? Apparently the bar does unusual combinations with flavours and ingredients was the answer. Well I had to see it. So I made my way through half of Berlin to arrive in this dark street and found this dimly lit entrance of a bar. You barely see inside as curtains are blocking the view so you don’t quite know what to expect. At the entrance I had to ring and an elegantly dressed woman opened the door. The bar has a few places at the counter and some elegant chairs and tables situated around directly at the windows. On the right side of the bar a little corridor leads to another room that holds more chairs and tables. Apparently there is also a terrace outside which at this time of the day was closed. I was handed a rather innovative menu. Not only the ingredients but also the names.

You read titles like “A drunk catwoman tries to drive” or “Andrea’s Liquid Superpower”. Some certainly make you smirk and get you intrigued. If you have allergies or intolerances for certain foods, read the menu thoroughly as you might end up with a smaller choice as you find things like grilled asparagus, or some sea bass on the menu. But I am sure there is something for everybody. You could always go with a classic which are solid. A few things that you find on the menu are slightly repetitive such as Chilean Brandy, Arrack and Riesling. I ordered a drink called “My favourite beach contains liquid rum”, yeah I really wish it would. One of the drinks with Chilean Brandy and in addition housemade rhubarb liqueur, lemon juice (just stated acid), Dry ice and Camomile Dust. I was a bit surprised to find so few ingredients in this drink but I gave it a try. What came was feast for the eye. A massive glass cover. Underneath 2 more glasses. One was holding the drink and the other one had dry ice in it. The waiter opened the cover and poured the camomile over the dry ice creating the dust. She then immediately closed the lid again. You are guaranteed all eyes at your table. Voices whispering, which cocktail is that, could it be this one or that one? I was saying that it was a feast for the eye and I was hoping that this is the case as well when touching my tastebuds as they were very jealous when they heard what my eyes saw. Unfortunately I could not please them in the same way. The drink lacked refinement. It was rather dry, which I presume was intended when I read about the ingredients but it was lacking in taste and in roundness as well. It was rather flat, all in all I was hoping for more sophistication. My hopes have built up during the 15 min I was in that bar and definitely skyrocketed when the drink arrived at my table. I will certainly give the bar another try when I go back to Berlin next time as I think it deserves it. My second drink was a classic as it was getting very late. The Sazerac was very nicely executed and I enjoyed it a lot. The general atmosphere in the bar is rather cold. It uses a lot of dark or stony colour. It has an elegant touch to it. To build this place, it certainly had its price. One could argue it misses some cosyness but tastes are different in the end.

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