Drilling

Set beneath the soaring arches of a former marzipan factory’s boiler house in Hamburg-Bahrenfeld, Drilling is an architectural love letter to craftsmanship—and a triple-threat destination. By daylight, it’s a cozy café pouring expertly pulled coffee; as night falls, it transforms into a cocktail bar where every drink may feature distillates made just steps from the bar. Between those moods pulses the soul of a micro-distillery producing gin, brandy, and the occasional whisky aged in reclaimed Four Roses bourbon barrels. Walking through, you’ll spy gleaming copper stills and oak casks teasing the production process—an open invitation to explore how craft flavors travel from mash to glass. The long oak bar with its steel accents anchors the space, while the ambiance—dark, intimate, and quietly confident—makes it perfect for both conversation and quiet discovery. Expect cocktails that blur the line between alchemy and artistry: original spirits like Clockers Gin star in inventive creations such as the BBQ Pineapple Gimlet or Onigiri (gin, pisco, plum juice, green tea, toasted rice, almond milk). Classics like Negroni and Penicillin are also elevated using house distillates. Whisky lovers, take note: Drilling carries about 15 whiskies by the glass and 25 bottled options, featuring global labels across Scotland, Ireland, Japan, the U.S., and Italy. Expect approachable pricing—Monkey Shoulder starts around €7; rarer drams like Dalmore King Alexander III hit about €23 for 4 cl. Guests often linger to ask about the stills, taste the distillery’s creations, and roll dice—or simply chat with bartenders proud of their craft. “A place where experimentation is allowed,” one bartender remarked—perfectly capturing Drilling’s vibe.