Depersonalisation may come to define the lived experience of the 2020s: daily doomscrolling, 40-hour work weeks spent on Zoom, generative AI at the brink of global domination. As hospitality professionals, a large part of our role is to celebrate what it means to feel engaged with the world and people around us. Same as it ever was.

The very best F&B venues are environments where we can connect with loved ones and new friends or lovers-to-be. Unsurprisingly, many European cities are stacked with these such establishments. Places like Sway, in Berlin.

Sway unites a number of creative disciplines, connecting like-minded folks over shared passions. While the audio-obsessed geek out over hand-built speakers and a custom Resor mixer, staff enthusiastically explain the backstory behind each tchotchke on display. The result is a distinct personality for a venue that feels distinctly human.

Sway, Masters of:

01. Legend in My Living Room

The friends and collaborators behind Sway describe the space as an extension of their own homes. It’s a simple and thoughtfully executed temple for wine, food and music.

02. The Zero-Zero Hero

Nearly every glass of wine poured at Sway belongs to the “zero-zero” subgenre of natural wine, containing zero sulphur preservatives and zero ingredients that aren’t naturally present. Far from coming across as snooty or elitist to the entry-level punter, Sway presents as just another friendly natural wine list.

03. Every Last Detail

Sway’s decor, and broader philosophy, celebrates art and artefacts with deep personal ties to the staff. They share those stories with an extended creative community.

Check out Sway’s Instagram, and make sure to drop by the next time you’re in Berlin.

This Trend Alert is excerpted from the A+ Future Trends Report 2024–25, a holistic deep-dive into what we know will impact hospitality operators in coming years. Learn how you can gain access to the full report here.