The invention concerns a method for producing diaryl carbonates from monophenols and phosgene or chloroformic acid aryl esters in the presence of at least one optionally substituted pyridine or the hydrochloride salt thereof as catalyst, and the recovery and reinjection thereof back into the method. The method is carried out at least partially in a liquid phase without the use of an additional solvent, the catalyst being separated by means of distillation and recovered.