Cafe Moskau

Historical Origins

Built between 1961 and 1964 by architects Josef Kaiser and Horst Bauer as the Restaurant Moskau, this was one of seven GDR nationality restaurants celebrating Soviet brother nations. Opened on January 18, 1964, it offered Russian cuisine, a mocca bar, dance cafe, and basement nightclub, topped by a Sputnik model and adorned with Bert Heller's 9x15m mosaic 'Aus dem Leben der Völker der Sowjetunion'. The two-story steel atrium structure with red marble floors evoked exclusivity amid East Berlin's socialist showcase boulevard.

Architectural Highlights

The lightweight atrium design features high ceilings up to 20m, natural daylight, and preserved elements like Meißner Porzellan majolica paintings in former salons. Post-2007 renovation by Nicolas Berggruen restored the landmark status, blending historic mosaics and salons (Russischer Salon, Kaukasus, Riga) with modern flexibility. The basement club area, once a techno disco, now hosts intimate events with direct Schillingstraße access and wardrobe facilities.

Modern Event Spaces

Spanning 2,600m² across three levels and 13 rooms, it hosts up to 2,400 for trade fairs, conferences, or galas. Key areas include the central Atrium for lounges, versatile Saal Almaty, Rosengarten for outdoor summer events, and Foyer Baku. High-speed internet, LED tech, renewable energy, and barrier-free access support diverse formats from workshops to large parties.

Adjacent Experiences

Neighboring Salon Babette at Karl-Marx-Allee 36, a former GDR beauty salon turned bar, emphasizes local Berlin and North German beverages with European wines and seasonal specials. Open evenings, it complements Cafe Moskau's grandeur with relaxed vibes.

Location and Surroundings

Perfectly positioned opposite Kino International, minutes from U-Bahn Schillingstraße (U5), S-Bahn Jannowitzbrücke, and Alexanderplatz. The Karl-Marx-Allee setting immerses visitors in Berlin's East Side history, from DDR parades to post-Wall reinvention.