Spätis in Berlin
Alright, friends,
Spätis are as much a part of Berlin as graffiti on house walls or a beer on the way home.
In this article, we explore the history of Berlin’s Spätis, introduce two Spätis from our guide, and look at how these late-night shops developed after reunification — and why today they are much more than just small stores for quick purchases.
The History of Spätis in Berlin
The culture of Spätis in Berlin traces back to the so-called Spätverkaufsstellen of the former East Germany.
In the 1950s, the first of these late-night shops appeared in East Berlin. They were originally created to allow shift workers to buy basic groceries outside regular opening hours, since supermarkets closed early in the evening. At the time, the products were simple: long-life milk, butter, or preserved sausage in jars.
Over the years, more and more of these shops opened, and what started as a small number of late-night stores gradually became a familiar part of Berlin’s streetscape.
After German reunification in 1989, most of the state-run Spätverkaufsstellen gradually disappeared. However, the demand for places to buy things late at night remained.
Many entrepreneurs picked up the idea and developed what we now know as Berlin’s Spätis — often run by Turkish or Arab family businesses. Instead of basic groceries, these shops began focusing on chilled drinks, snacks, cigarettes, and international products.
Alongside the word Späti, people in Berlin also use the term Spätkauf. The word “Späti” itself only became popular after reunification and has been firmly part of Berlin’s everyday language since the early 2000s. A small fun fact: in 2017, the word was officially added to the German dictionary, the Duden.
Before that, people in Berlin usually referred to these places simply as kiosks or Trinkhallen.
Sundays, Laws, and the Reality of the Neighborhood
For a long time, it was simply part of everyday life in Berlin that Spätis stayed open on Sundays. If you needed something late at night or wanted to grab a spontaneous beer, you would just walk to the nearest Spätkauf around the corner. However, the situation changed with Berlin’s Shop Opening Act (Ladenöffnungsgesetz) introduced in 2006.
In principle, shops must remain closed on Sundays. Although many Spätis operated in a legal grey area for years, the law has gradually been enforced more strictly over time.
As gentrification increased in many neighborhoods, complaints from residents also became more common. Spätis are often meeting points in the Kiez, where people stand outside late into the night, talking and spending time together.
As a result, authorities began to carry out stricter inspections. According to some sources, nearly half of Berlin’s Spätkäufe had to close temporarily at one point — which is quite surprising when you see how many still exist today.
At the same time, other regulations were enforced more strictly, especially regarding the use of public space. Many Spätis were no longer allowed to place tables and chairs outside because new residents complained about noise and limited space.
As a result, there are unfortunately fewer Spätis today with comfortable seating outside the shop. That is exactly why we created a special category in our guide called “Spätis to Chill”, featuring more than 15 selected Spätis with outdoor seating and a relaxed atmosphere.
Below are two of these Spätis that I — and many other Berliners — enjoy visiting.
Regenbogen Kiosk
I’ve been going to Regenbogen Kiosk since the late 2000s — back when I used to buy mixed candy bags here as a kid. Today, the small shop has become a real institution in Friedrichshain, located right on Samariterstraße and open almost all the time.
Draft beer, Aperol Spritz, and a wide selection of cold drinks, snacks, and small groceries are part of the standard offering.
Inside there are around eight seats, and outside more than twenty.
On warm days especially, people gather here to have a beer or an Aperol and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the neighborhood. Right next door you can also find good and affordable pizza. From time to time, the kiosk hosts small events with music and special offers.
Melis Coffe 2
Melis Coffee 2 is a combination of a Spätkauf and a bakery. Located right next to Volkspark Friedrichshain, the shop has become a popular meeting point in the neighborhood. Around the Späti there are about 50 outdoor seats, and roughly 30 more inside.
Thanks to its location at a large intersection, it’s a perfect spot to sit back and watch everyday life in Berlin. Prices are fair, and the bakery offers a wide selection of pastries and affordable breakfast options. One of the nicest things about the place is the long hours of sunshine in front of the shop, which makes it a great place to linger. Guests can also use the restroom, and the shop is open daily until midnight.
This is where Berlin meets to enjoy the sun, relax with a Feierabend beer, and watch the city go by.
More Than Just a Shop
Despite all the discussions over the years, Spätis have long become much more than small convenience stores. They are now an integral part of everyday life in Berlin. Anyone who grew up in the city or has lived here since the early 2000s knows that Spätis are simply part of the streetscape.
Back then, many of them were small metal kiosks with very little space inside. Today, many have evolved into larger, modern shops. For many visitors, the question eventually comes up: What exactly is a Späti?
In simple terms, it’s a small neighborhood shop that stays open late into the night and sells the things you might suddenly need — drinks, snacks, cigarettes, or ice cream.
It’s completely normal in Berlin to say something like “Let’s meet at the Spätkauf.” People gather there to start the evening, grab a Feierabend beer after work, enjoy the sun, or simply chat for a while.
Often you’ll see people standing outside with a beer, leaning against the window, or sitting on the curb in front of the shop.
Spätis are places where neighbors meet, friends gather spontaneously, and conversations happen that you would probably never have in a supermarket.
Over the years, these small shops have developed from simple convenience stores into small neighborhood hubs — places where you don’t just buy something, but experience a piece of everyday life in Berlin.
Berlin thrives on exactly these kinds of places in the neighborhood. Just like graffiti in Berlin, the many lost places in Berlin, or other spots you often discover by chance. If you want to dive deeper into the city, you’ll find many more Berlin insider tips in our guide.
Berlin is not a tourist attraction. Berlin is a city.
See you in the real Berlin – or here in the next blog.
Take care 🖤
Most images in this article are sample images and were not taken at the places featured.
Check out our blogs on the history of Berlin.
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