A rather uncle German film comedy from 1955, with Heinz Rühmann of course, is entitled: “If the father with the son…” Haidhausen can easily counter 67 years later with the imaginary slogan: If the father with the daughter . Or: when the daughter with the father – because the driving force behind the Lotti Bar was clearly Lotta Neudecker.
The 25-year-old dreamed of having her own restaurant for a long time. She trained as a chef in Barcelona and actually wanted to open a Bavarian restaurant there. But then this unfavorable pandemic came along and Lotta returned home.
She couldn’t let go of the dream of being self-employed, and then something actually became available in the district. Only a Boazn, the former market gap at Pariser Strasse 40, but still! The shop was not suitable for a restaurant, but it was suitable for a small bar. And so, together with the father, it was renovated, a lot of paint came into the walls and all kinds of furniture from the flea market and classified ads: 1950s armchairs, classroom chairs, potted plants and the old illuminated display a lottery kiosk. So the name was clear: Lotti Bar.
You could imagine the result in Berlin-Mitte or in Barcelona, but first and foremost the Lotti Bar is a pretty, small bar for the neighborhood – “and former guests of the Bavarian Japanese Nomiya, who unfortunately closed,” like father Sebastian, 54, says. But there are also many people who have just moved to Haidhauser and those who spend their lunch break here.
“In the summer, the large sidewalk café in front of the house helped a lot,” says Sebastian Neudecker, so you got through the summer quite well. The bowls that Lotta has on the menu until 3 p.m. are particularly popular, they come with chicken, tofu or vegan patties (each 9.80 euros). There are also various salads, also with chickpeas and quinoa, Mediterranean spreads and sandwiches made from pizza bread in the Vietnamese Bánh-Mì style, with meat or vegan (each 6.50 euros).
Lotti Bar is a lovely little neighborhood bar.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
And in the evening? It’s usually open until midnight, and the bartender from the former juleps around the corner takes care of the drinks: a solid range of classics, from the Negroni to the Munich Mule to the Americano. Non-alcoholic drinks are also well received, for example the Lotti Collins with “undone vermouth, currant juice, lemon juice and lemonade”.
But the summer hit was Tocco Rosso with Campari, Prosecco and elderflower syrup. The father is also allowed to have a say in the music, after all he – who is actually an architect by profession – also plays in a band and runs the indie label Schaufel & Beer Records. And because Lotta’s sister and cousin often help out, the Lotti Bar is also a real, small family business.
Lotti Bar, Pariser Strasse 40, www.lottibar.deTuesday to Thursday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 12 p.m. to midnight, Saturday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday/Monday closed