Just two doors up from the Berlin Mark Hotel, Getranke Riese offers a huge range of very reasonably priced wines, beers, and liquors. I stopped several times in the evening on my way back to the hotel, and was astonished (and delighted) at their extensive selection. Their German wines were ridiculously cheap, especially in comparison with New York prices, and they had racks of obscure European beers that we don’t see in the States at all.
On one occasion, I asked if the lady working there could perhaps open the Riesling (5 euros) that I had just bought. She hardly spoke any English, and unfortunately I speak no German, but after enacting a "I’m uncorking this bottle of wine" charade, she understood. Since she didn’t have a corkscrew behind the counter, she went to the back of the store and opened one of the corkscrews that were for sale! This kind of courtesy was almost typical of Berliners--everyone was helpful and friendly to the point where I felt guilty for being a fumbling tourist. The next night, after I bought a nice little pinot noir, I asked again if she could open the bottle, assuming the same corkscrew would be open. It wasn’t--and she had to open another one from the store! I tried to stop her, but she just smiled and popped it open. Wow.
Anyway, if you’re looking for a really nice selection of wines from all over the world, a vast array of mostly European beers, and your choice of liquor at extremely reasonable prices, Getranke Riese is the place to go.
Tel: 030/887 21 695
Closed Sunday. Open until 8pm Mon. - Fri., 6pm Saturday.