Nightlife in Berlin
Few cities can rival Berlin for nightlife: whether it's to be 1920s cabaret at the glitzy Friedrichstadtpalast, live jazz at Quasimodo in Charlottenburg or all-night clubbing to techno at industrial-style Berghain in Friedrichshain. Kreuzberg appeals to a young crowd with laid-back beer gardens like Heinz Minki, retro lounges, and basement cocktail bars like Bar Nou. Bars often open until 2am, clubs 5am.
Heinz Minki
Relaxed beer garden
A laid-back enclave in über-cool Kreuzberg, Heinz Minki appeals to a young,
fun-loving crowd. Shaded by fruit trees and vines, the overgrown garden is a
big draw in summer. The retro-style lounge hosts events from concerts to
table-football tournaments.
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Address
3, Vor dem Schlesischen Tor, Berlin 10997
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 6953 3766
Reingold
1930s lounge
Situated in a hip corner of Mitte, Reingold is a decadent 1930s lounge that
draws a see-and-be-seen crowd. Walls resembling liquid gold and leather club
chairs flank the elongated bar, where beautiful people sip cocktails and
sway to Latin tunes.
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Address
11, Novalisstrasse, Berlin 10115
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 2838 7676
Bar Nou
Underground cocktails
Young urbanites step down to Bar Nou, a basement lounge in lively Kreuzberg.
Crimson carpets, soft lighting and floor cushions set the scene. The bar
staff are expert mixologists; signature cocktails include Shaolin Iced Tea
and the zingy Vanilla Grapes.
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Address
104, Bergmannstrasse, Berlin 10961
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 7407 3050
Kunstliche BEATmung
Retro scarlet bar
Kunstliche BEATmung means 'artificial breathing' and the reason why becomes
clear upon entering this quirky Friedrichshain haunt. Blood-red walls and a
tunnel shaped like a windpipe are accentuated by 1960s swirls and retro
lighting. Disco and drum 'n' bass dominate the decks.
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Address
20, Simon-Dach-Strasse, Berlin 10245
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 7022 0472
Gainsbourg
Arty American bar
Popular with an arty crowd, Gainsbourg is an intimate American bar in
Charlottenburg. Brooding portraits of French singer Serge Gainsbourg beam
down from the panelled walls. Signature cocktails include Brigitte Bardot, a
sweet concoction of bourbon, egg-yolk and brandy.
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Address
5, Savignyplatz, Berlin 10623
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 313 7464
Newton Bar
Martinis and supermodels
Helmut Newton's black-and-white shots of nude supermodels grace the chic
Newton Bar in Berlin Mitte. Sidle up to the crescent-shaped bar for a famous
martini cocktail, or recline in a maroon club chair to mingle with the
well-heeled crowd.
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Address
57, Charlottenstrasse, Berlin 10117
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 2029 540
Berghain
Techno power plant
Often hailed the best club in the world, Berghain in Friedrichshain certainly
takes some beating. Housed in a former industrial warehouse, this techno
temple keeps hardcore clubbers on the dance floor till breakfast. Don't
bother arriving before midnight.
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Roter Salon
Cool and casual clubbing
Extravagant in looks and bohemian in attitude, Roter Salon is the right place
for a colourful night in Berlin's east. Drink inexpensive beer and dance to
a mix of music, from Brit pop and drum & bass to northern soul.
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Address
an der Volksbühne, Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, Berlin 10178
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 240 65 603
Watergate
Riverfront clubbing
Clubbers rave about trendy Watergate in Kreuzberg. Glass walls overlooking
the River Spree and a starkly minimalist decor give the club its edge. Some
of the world's top DJs regularly spin drum 'n' bass and house beats for a
young, energetic crowd.
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Address
49, Falckensteinstrasse, Berlin 10997
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 6128 0396
Sage Club
Dancing in the arches
The ultra-cool Sage Club in Berlin Mitte is worth dressing up for. Housed in
an underground station, it appeals to serious clubbers with three dance
floors, a rooftop pool and a bass-loaded sound system pumping out techno,
house and rock.
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Address
76, Köpenickerstrasse, Berlin 10179
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 2789 830
Quasimodo
Basement jazz
Berlin's oldest and best-known jazz club, Quasimodo brings an eclectic
line-up of live jazz, blues and rock music to Charlottenburg. The moody
basement den is packed to the rafters most nights. Get there before 10pm,
when performances begin.
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Address
12A, Kantstrasse, Berlin 10623
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 312 8086
Bar Jeder Vernunft
Life is a cabaret
Bar Jeder Vernunft in Charlottenburg is a flashback to Berlin in the heady
1920s, with a decadent interior and superb comedy and chanson line-up. It is
also the home of the legendary Mirror Tent that sparkled in Oscar-winning
film Cabaret.
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Address
24, Schaperstrasse, Berlin 10719
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 883 1582
Komische Oper
Avant-garde opera
Celebrated for its innovative take on classic productions, Komische Oper
brings a vibrant mix of avant-garde opera, ballet and musical theatre to
Berlin Mitte. The opulent interior is equally impressive, adorned with
crimson velvet, stucco and chandeliers.
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Address
55-57, Behrenstrasse, Berlin 10117
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 4799 7400
State Opera House in the Schiller Theatre
Classical highs
Berlin's most revered State Opera House is at home in the Schiller Theatre,
reconstructed in the 1950s in Charlottenburg. Behind its curved, glass
façade a first-rate repertoire fills the auditorium. Book tickets early when
conductor Daniel Barenboim is in the pit.
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Address
110, Bismarckstraße, Berlin 10625
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 20 35 4555
Friedrichstadtpalast
Glittering revue theatre
The undisputed cabaret king in Mitte, Friedrichstadtpalast catapults
audiences back to the Berlin of the roaring twenties. Shows are a feast for
the senses with leggy showgirls, sparkly costumes and spectacular acts from
singers to jugglers, acrobats and musicians.
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Address
107 Friedrichstrasse, Berlin 10117
Telephone
+49 (0) 30 2326 2326
