The best nightlife, clubs and entertainment in Berlin
Berlin is famed the world over for its diversity of nightlife, never-ending nightclubs and anything-goes attitude. There's a very good spread of establishments, from old-school corner pubs (Kneipen) and smart wine bars to grungy indie bars and live gig venues.
Below is our guide to the city's best nocturnal hangouts. For more Berlin inspiration, see our guides on hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping, attractions and how to spend a weekend there.
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Kreuzberg
Watergate
This is one of the city's longest-running electronic music clubs. Watergate can be found tucked discreetly away below the Kreuzberg side of the famous Oberbaumbrücke. It has consistently pioneered the particular 'Berlin sound' of chunky, minimal techno and tech-house, and continues to do so today. The slick interior, with its LED-light-filled ceiling, top-notch sound system and fabulous wooden deck that juts out onto the Spree, sets it apart from many of the city's more ramshackle clubs – as does the consistently good DJ selection; expect big-name guests like Sven Väth and Pan-Pot playing alongside local residents.
Website: water-gate.de
Prices:​ £
Getting in:​ No dress code. Queues can get long so be prepared to wait a bit
SO36
This legendary club is named after Kreuzberg's Berlin Wall-era postal code (SO standing for Südost, or southeast), and has its roots in the district's punk rock scene from the 1970s and 1980s. Today it hosts regular big-name bands, mostly of a rock and indie persuasion, as well as up-and-coming local bands. The main room is big, basic and tends to reek of sweat and beer, but the anonymous black stage does its job and the crowds are usually game. There are also regular parties, including an LGBTQIA+ pop and electronic music night called Gayhane.
Website: so36.de
Prices:​ £-££
Getting in:​ No dress code
Sisyphos
Berlin is well-known for techno clubs where you can spend more or less the whole weekend on the dancefloor. Although Berghain remains the big-hitter, Sisyphos—located in a former dog biscuit factory a little outside the city centre—has gradually become one of the consistent mainstays of the party scene. Its main hall, the Hammerhalle, is fairly Berghain-esque in that it offers pounding techno in an industrialised setting; but the real beauty of Sisyphos for many is its outdoor party area, especially in the warmer months when it carries something of a mini-festival atmosphere complete with sandy floor, feel-good house music and carnival-esque decor. There are other, smaller rooms too and on-site facilities include food stalls, an ATM and a phone charging area—all to support your 72-hour dancefloor holiday.
Website: sisyphos-berlin.net
Prices: £
Getting in:​ Bouncers are the same as everywhere in Berlin; they won’t tolerate drunkenness at the door and will reject anyone who looks like they don’t belong. Dress casual.
Charlottenburg
A Trane
This New-York-style Charlottenburg jazz bar is one of the most popular in the city with a mix of local, German and top-end jazz ensembles performing each night. The space is fairly intimate (around 100 people), especially thanks to the shared tables system, but on the other hand you're always close to the action on stage. To be sure of a spot, make a reservation in advance and try to arrive at least half-an-hour before the show begins. Drink prices – beer, wine and mixed drinks mostly – are reasonable.
Website: a-trane.de
Prices: £-££
Getting in:​ No dress code
Reservations: Essential if you want a table
Friedrichshain
Berghain/Panorama Bar
This former power-station-turned-club is awesome in the original sense of the word, and holds up to 1,500 people across a cavernous main room, upstairs bar and experimental music area on the ground floor. It boasts an industrial design ethic – no mirrors, concrete swings hung on chains, clean-easy chrome toilets – that's as uncompromising as its door policy and vehemently underground music policy. Concerts are held during the week and there's a club night on Fridays, but dedicated clubbers tend to come on Saturday (from midnight on) or Sunday.
Website: berghain.de
Prices: £
Getting in:​ Unless you can swing a guest list it's notoriously hard to get into. If you don't normally go techno clubbing, don't bother trying
Mitte
Clärchens Ballhaus
Since 1913, this former ballroom has been traditionally synonymous with fun-loving dance parties. With its old-school ambiance and soundtrack of predominantly jazz, swing and soul tunes, the time-worn building hasn't changed much since the 1920s, even if today's mix of hipsters, tourists and ageing (but agile) patrons make it feel more contemporary. Once used as a film set for Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, the wonderfully faded Mirror Room upstairs sadly doesn’t host dance parties any more but the charming, tree-filled front terrace is still a fantastic spot to watch the world go by with a grilled sausage with mustard. some German Maultaschen (filled ravioli), or an Aperol Spritz.
Website: claerchensball.haus
Prices: £
Getting in:​ No dress code; reservations for the restaurant are a good idea at weekends
Friedrichstadt-Palast
This hallowed establishment has a long and distinguished history that stretches back to its 19th-century origins as a circus and vaudeville theatre. Today it counts among one of the most modern and largest theatrical venues in Europe, with a broad repertoire to match its sizeable interior. As well as spectacular West End and Broadway productions you can also find children's shows, ballets, and the popular Quatsch Comedy Club, which takes place each week in the venue's basement area (the English version is on Wednesdays). The current show, FALLING | IN LOVE has a production budget of around 14 million euros and is curated by Parisian star designer Jean Paul Gaultier.
Website: ​palast.berlin
Prices:​ £-£££
Getting in:​ Dress code depends on the performance
Philharmonie
Hans Scharoun's distinctive, gold-hued, tent-like building is home to the world-famous Berliner Philharmoniker orchestra and one of the leading classical venues in the world. Built to be as acoustically perfect as possible, it's famous for pioneering the 'vineyard-style' seating that can now be found worldwide. The repertoire varies from large visiting orchestras and more intimate ensembles and quartets, who sometimes also play in the more intimate chamber music hall. Watch out for free lunchtime concerts and, if you can't bag tickets, the venue's innovative online Digital Concert Hall.
Website: berliner-philharmoniker.de
Prices:​ £-£££
Getting in:​ Dress codes lean towards the formal here
B flat
Mitte's only real jazz club, B flat, was founded in the mid-1990s by a trio of musician and actor friends. Located near Hackescher Markt, it hosts some kind of music event every night, usually local acts through the week and international names at the weekends. Wednesday night is a popular weekly jam session (free entry), but the atmosphere tends to be lively and friendly most evenings. Despite being located below ground, it has a fairly contemporary atmosphere with comfortable furnishings and a modern bar that knocks out well-priced drinks (no food).
Website: b-flat-berlin.de
Prices:​ £
Getting in:​ No dress code
Reservations: A good idea for weekends
Konzerthaus
Located on the refined Gendarmenmarkt and often cited as one of the finest classical concert venues in the world. Designed in eye-catching neoclassical style, its reconstructed façade and interior host its own orchestra conducted by Joana Mallwitz, and three concert spaces: the Grosse Saal for larger orchestras, the Kleiner Saal (chamber music hall) for smaller groups and chamber orchestras, and the Werner-Otto-Saal for modern music and family programmes. Expect everything from symphonic works to contemporary classical. The short but sweet Espresso Concerts, featuring up-and-coming talent every Wednesday, and the "Mittendrin" concerts, in which audience members sit among the musicians, are popular, as are newer formats such as monthly Twitch streams, Expeditions Concerts and Night Sessions.
Website: konzerthaus.de
Prices:​ £-£££
Getting in: The dress code tends towards the formal
Tausend
One of the city's few upmarket, dressy clubs. The swanky, tunnel-shaped interior, decorated at one end with an enormous doughnut-shaped light that pours light over the long, narrow bar, attracts a dapper crowd. The music is a Berlin-esque blend of disco, house and techno, and the bar churns out aptly sophisticated cocktails, some with a Japanese twist like the Oscaland (sake with basil syrup and jasmine tea). The club also hosts a chic restaurant, Cantina, if you fancy some Asian and Ibero-American bites before your dancing session.
Website: tausendberlin.com
Price: £
Getting in: This is the one Berlin club you should make an effort for – dress to impress
How we choose
Every bar, venue or experience in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from casual pubs to exquisite cocktail bars – to best suit every type of traveller – and consider the service, drinks, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.
