The Ständige Vertretung

Most people know about the Berlin Wall and that from 1961 to 1989 it separated the West from the East. 

(source) Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate

During this time the two Governments; the West, Federal Republic of Germany and the East, the communist German Democratic Republic, had no official Embassies in Berlin for one another. To compensate the Ständige Vertretung was created. It basically is a Restaurant/Bar that was a hot spot for politics and culture. 

Ständige Vertretung, Schiffbauerdamm 8, 10117 Berlin-Mitte

When the Wall came down, and the new united Germany took up Berlin once again as the capitol. Thousands of people moved from Bonn to Berlin. The StäV, (Ständige Vertretung) became a little piece of home for the relocated Politician. Here one can have a glass of Bonn's local bier Gaffel Kölsch and dine on specialties out of the region. 

Menu with their cute owl logo

It is a nice interactive piece of Berlin's History to visit. Stay and have a bier at the bar and check out all the nostalgia and nicknacks mounted on the walls. The bathrooms are surprising very nice too!

Inside view of the Bar

If the weather is nice, sit outside next to the Spree, the river that runs through Berlin. There is a nice view. You can see all the different advertized riverboat cruises as they go by. You can choose the one you prefer to maybe do later.

View of the River and the Tour Boats from the terraced sidewalk.

I really like to take people here when they are visiting. My mom and I enjoyed a nice mid-sightseeing snack on her last visit! It is in a good location in the middle of the city, to relax and regroup and choose your next course of action.

Outside next to the StäV's riverside terrace