Cooling devices are increasingly hard to come by as Germany remains under the influence of back to back heatwaves, making it increasingly hard for remote workers to keep cool and get work done. We’ve found some Berlin spots that have good AC.
Air-conditioning is not widespread in Germany, even in the capital. Most homes, cafes and restaurants just aren’t fitted with it, and with recent temperatures regularly topping 30C, the demand for cooling devices has surged.
For those who work at home, a hot house can be a nightmare; it can be hard to gather your thoughts when the mercury’s rising, let alone be productive.
So for any Berliners who have been desperately seeking out cooler places to work, here are six (mostly independent) cafés that have refreshing air-con and allow you to use your laptop – putting them among the best locales for summer remote or co-working.
UMA Hub cafe
Built for remote workers and students, UMA in Kreuzberg combines deliciously cool co-working with good coffee.
Head to the public café at the front and you’ll find heaps of power sockets, super-speedy free wifi and no pressure to buy more than a single cup of coffee (or whatever you fancy).
They operate on a fair usage system, though, so if you’re planning on spending the whole day there and only nursing one drink, you’ll pay a fair-usage flat fee of €2 for plug access.
Sit away from the doors for the coolest air. Alternatively, you can head to the quieter co-working space at the back if you buy a workspace pass (€15 for a full day), which includes wifi, power and a free coffee.
Grandaire
This two-story New York-style coffee house at the base of the residential skyscraper at Alexanderplatz is pretty new. Having opened in 2023, it came equipped with strong commercial-grade aircon from the beginning.
It’s a café, so there’s no fee to work from here – just buy whatever you fancy at the counter and settle in to comfy seats in the sleek, bright space.
The coffee’s excellent, the wifi’s free and speedy and there are a fair amount of power points, especially on the quieter second floor.
You’ll be in good company as the location’s popular with freelancers and students thanks to its friendly atmosphere and welcoming attitude toward laptops.
The Store X
The aesthetic concept store on the ground floor of the Soho House members’ club in Pankow houses a cafe where you’ll often find the city’s creatives hanging out. Thankfully, you don’t need to be a member to access the chilled and stylish spot.
There’s no limit on laptop time and the wifi is free – just ask for the password – but they’ve got rid of the dedicated co-working spaces to make way for their furniture showroom and there’s a frustrating lack of power points.
It’s still a good spot for a blast of cool air for a couple of hours though.
Spreegold
Spreegold has four branches of its industrial-chic all-day eatery across the city, but not all of them have aircon. Your coolest option is Mitte, but the City West one in the Bikini Berlin shopping centre is also a good spot providing you sit on either the bottom or first floor – it gets stuffier higher up.
Both locations heaps of space and offer unlimited free wifi.
You’ll need to make sure you turn up with a fully charged battery though as power sockets are few and far between. City West has a few in the middle of its shared community tables on the first floor.
READ ALSO: How to keep your cool in Germany during the heatwave
Betahaus cafe
The public Betahaus café is on the ground floor of the modern building in Kreuzberg that pioneered co-working back in 2009.
It’s got top-notch aircon, excellent speciality coffee, good wifi and there’s a community co-working table that’s fitted with power sockets.
You can just buy a coffee and work, surrounded by founders in a buzzy environment.
The catch here is that there’s a ban on laptops between midday and 2pm. If you’re looking for a quieter all-day hangout, you can buy a co-working pass for €35 (includes access to events and free tea and coffee).
Michelberger Hotel Café & Bar
Sometimes a boutique hotel is the best place to hang out when you’re looking for for a cool and brief respite.
This artsy Friedrichshain boutique hotel has powerful aircon and living room vibes (if your living room was furnished by an exceptionally cool designer).
You don’t need to pay to work from here – just order something to drink – and the artsy space is fitted out with fast wifi and plenty of power points.
If you open your laptop here, you’ll be in good company – it’s a very popular hangout for Berlin’s creative remote workers beavering away at the large wooden communal tables.
Even when the space transforms into a cocktail bar after 5pm, you can carry on working if you choose.
Do you have a favourite cool spot to work from? Let us know in the comments!
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: thelocal.de
