The fire is crackling, the atmosphere is relaxed: the perfect setting for fireside chats. An informal and relaxed meeting in a small group on a specific topic is called a fireside chat. The aim is to ensure a personal atmosphere and facilitate a beneficial dialogue. This name was originally derived from the 30 radio speeches given by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt between 1933 and 1944, which ultimately became a source of hope and security for all Americans. Today, a wide variety of formats are referred to as fireside chats, be it a moderated short conference in the form of a round table discussion, conversations between hosts and guest speakers that allow participants to think outside the box or they aim to benefit from the personality and experiences of a guest.
You could almost say that fireside chats are a sequel to the tradition of the famous “Berlin salons”. Already 200 years ago, these were centers of cultural life, private meeting places where friendships were formed alongside intellectual conversations. And Berlin of course has – how could it be otherwise(?) – wonderful restaurants and event locations with fireplaces, crackling wood fires, a cozy atmosphere and, in some places, electric fireplaces with deceptively real flames. There are almost unlimited possibilities in terms of event design, whether its a fireplace brunch, fireplace lunch, a candlelight dinner by the fireplace or simply just drinks in combination with a strategy meeting.
Be it the Chalet Suisse in the beautiful Grunewald, the Cafe am Neuen See in the Tiergarten or at “Mutter Lustig” in Köpenick, you can find the magic of an alpine cabin with a fireplace in the middle of the big city and right in the forest. Even on the water and yet centrally inside the city, the fireside in Berlin crackles, for example in the Sage or Zollpackhof. Unbelievably, but yet “downtown” on the water, a fireplace on the restaurant ship Patio heats things up nicely. Of course, there are also corresponding restaurants in various of Berlin’s scenic districts, such as Schneeweiß in Friedrichshain and the Bariton Restaurant very close by or the Fünf & Sechzig in the Sprengelkiez Wedding.
Many well-known and not so well-known venues in the capital also offer a fireplace atmosphere. For example, the Gehry Lounge in the AXICA Congress and Conference Center right by the Brandenburg Gate, the fireplace lounge in the Kaminfabrik inside the Gebauer Courtyards, and the brand- new kid on the block: the Firespace in the Edison Courtyards near Nordbahnhof. Whether its a small or large group, luxurious or cozy, historical charm or modern chic. One can always find the right place for every fireside chat.
