Hudson Bar,Berlin

This well-hidden hot spot on Berlin's Elssholtzstrasse is no relation to Ian Schrager's Manhattan hotel, but it is an American bar par excellence. Cocktails are the name of the game and staff dedicate themselves to them, even going so far as to list their Top Five for every month. These included a fruity explosion called a Strawberry Banana Martini and something refreshing with lemon in it known as a Hudson Cooler, last time we looked. Fellow Hudson-goers are fun and laid back locals, and not in the least bit pretentious which can be a problem in some Berlin bars these days. The drinks menu changes all the time, staff update the classics with special twists, and they love fruity concoctions like Mai Tais and Singapore Slings, so go in summer. All this and cocktail books and drinks quiz on offer. One for the connoisseur.