In some cities, they’re called convenience stores, in others, bodegas, but in Berlin, those pint-sized late-night shops you see everywhere are Späti, and they’re integral to the city’s everyday life.
Spätis, short for Spätkauf (in German, “late-night purchase”), are tiny, independently owned retailers selling snacks, alcohol, beverages, and tobacco. As the name suggests, they are open until the wee hours (sometimes 24/7), long after supermarkets shut. This makes Spätis a centerpiece of big nights out in Berlin: a place for pre-drinking before clubs and bars, late-night snacks, and picking up beers en route to the afterparty.
Some of my fondest memories as a decade-long Berliner are on Späti stoops, whether swigging cheap wine outside during the pandemic or the more recent unforgettable experience of DJing at a Späti rave (before the police came, of course).
Here is everything you need to know about Berlin Späti culture.
History
Spätis are not just for the party crowd; these neighborhood spots are integral to Berliners’ everyday lives. It’s where locals pick up parcels, pack picnics, and meet friends. The key to understanding their importance lies in the city’s past.
The emergence of Spätis can be traced back to the Cold War and Spätverkaufsstellen (“late shopping outlets”) in East German cities like East Berlin, Leipzig, and Dresden. These privately-owned shops catered to shift workers outside the standard hours of state-owned retailers. Later, the term became synonymous with Berlin’s fast-paced, all-hours nightlife and anti-capitalist subculture. In a city so creative and culturally rich but economically poor, Spätis have long been energetic hotspots, entertaining places for students, musicians, and artists to mingle with ease.
Today, Späti is a term that is culturally unique and Berlin-specific. Nowhere is the term quite so colloquial and important to the vernacular. In fact, elsewhere in Germany, convenience stores go by other names, such as Trinkhalle or kiosk.
Spätis Represent the City’s Free-Spirit
Spätis are the essence of Berlin’s urban culture. They exemplify the city’s spontaneous, spunky, and often, hedonistic nature, tempting passersby with a cold Wegbier (a beer to drink on the way somewhere) on every corner.
Once a symbol of old-school Berlin, Spätis are deftly modernizing. Gone are the days of Späti internet cafés. While a recent law dictated that Spätis must remain closed on Sundays and public holidays, some defy this rule, maintaining a Sunday street lookout for authorities.
Typically small, double-aisle shops are becoming bigger and flashier. New so-called “super-Spätis”, stocking pricey imported snacks and CBD-infused products, reflect the city’s increasing gentrification and hipsterism, as do pop-ups selling alcohol-free items.
Overall, Spätis exemplify the city’s everlasting drive to create vibrant communities against a foundation of individualism. Locals happily support these small businesses, and in multicultural neighborhoods like Neukölln and Kreuzberg, they serve as meeting points for Turkish and Arab communities, promoting visibility through food and culture.
Each Späti adds charm to Berlin. This is no ordinary chain; each shop is unique. Aesthetics and state of upkeep vary wildly, and phone numbers and opening hours on Google are often incorrect. In Germany’s capital, where local culture is typified by gruff formality and small talk, neighborhood haunts like these foster community togetherness.
Now You Try
The most talked-about Spätis usually combat gentrification, possess memorable décor, and in typical Berlin fashion, host the best parties. However, the best Späti experience isn’t one you search for; it’s the random hole-in-the-wall you stumble upon.
Markers of a good Späti include a street-facing bench for people-watching and a cooler that works. It’s about the joy of simplicity, cheap fun, and low expectations. In its best, purest form, it’s a heavenly place where thirst can be quenched—even at an ungodly hour.
For a unique adventure, attend a Späti rave. These parties, where DJs and sweaty bodies strive not to knock over gum racks, are simply good times. They’re last-minute, rarely promoted, and, well, illegal, adding to their allure.
The optimal time to experience Späti raves is on the May Day public holiday, when Kreuzberg’s streets are filled with them. From October to April, the collective hosts parties at a changing lineup of Spätis, with local spots doubling their sales floors for dancing.
Take It With You
Keep that Späti feeling going strong by taking home a selection of late-night, weird German snacks: chips flavored like peanuts, paprika, and bacon are hot contenders, alongside Haribo gummies of infinite colors and shapes. My favorite impulse purchase at a Späti is bottles of Berliner Luft (in German, “Berlin Air”), a popular peppermint schnapps that rivals mouthwash, but is much better.
