Berlin’s Most Beautiful Summer Spot: The Kolonnaden Bar on Museum Island Reopens

Already at the Island Festival last weekend, which attracted over 55,000 visitors, it was heavily frequented: the new Kolonnaden Bar on the southern bank of the Spree. This Thursday, Berlin’s most beautiful summer spot officially opens — with new programming and a fresh lineup! For the first time, the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, Berlin’s Vagabund Brewery, and visitBerlin are jointly organizing the Island Summer.

“We are very pleased that the Kolonnaden Bar is reopening this year with a new concept and in a new partnership. Vagabund Brewery is not only a great address for Berlin brewing art but also an open cultural space. And that fits perfectly with the island. Our thanks go to visitBerlin for their renewed support of the Kolonnaden Bar,” says Matthias Wemhoff, Director of the Museum of Prehistory and Early History and spokesperson for the Museumsinsel.

Heinrich Schulz, Managing Director of Vagabund Brewery, says: “The Museumsinsel stands for cultural diversity, openness, and freedom. That is exactly what the festival ‘Here We Are’ wants to build on. Vagabund contributes with a clear cultural mission — far beyond just enjoying beer. As a special symbol of this collaboration and to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Museumsinsel, a joint festival beer was brewed — Wissensdurst — a flavorful and cultural salute to the freedom of science and art.”

Burkhard Kieker, CEO of visitBerlin, states: “The Kolonnaden Bar combines Berlin lifestyle with world cultural heritage. We warmly invite all Berliners and visitors to experience this special place for relaxed summer evenings.”

Under the motto “Here We Are,” the Kolonnaden will become an open stage for a new festival until August 31, 2025: over 50 free events aim to bring people together on the Museumsinsel. The focus is a diverse mix of music, performances, and small everyday moments — supported by artists with very different backgrounds, perspectives, and voices. The festival creates space for exchange, new ideas, and everything that defines Berlin: diversity, creativity, and open conversation.

Guests at the Kolonnaden Bar can expect a varied program five days a week:

• Ambient — on Wednesdays, calm soundscapes and gentle melodies invite you to pause — an atmospheric evening for a little midweek break.

• Museum Sessions — on Thursdays, acoustic concerts and singer-songwriters provide relaxed tunes after a museum visit.

• Collective Takeover — on Fridays, collectives from the city and beyond take over the stage with sounds, attitude, and energy.

• Open-Air Summer — on Saturdays, it’s time to dance: DJ sets, disco, and sunset culture in the heart of Berlin.

• Classical Sundowner — on Sundays, the week ends in style with classical music, opera, jazz — and a touch of cabaret.

Starting June 5, the Kolonnaden Bar will be open every Wednesday and Thursday from 2 pm to 10 pm and Friday to Sunday from 12 pm to 10 pm.

Press release as PDF

Contact

Chris Watts
Creative Director
chris@vagabundbrauerei.com
+49 171 652 9945

Vera Baunova
Senior Marketing Manager
vera@vagabundbrauerei.com
+49 171 655 5239