{"id":42025,"date":"2026-06-23T17:42:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T17:42:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/42025\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T17:42:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T17:42:16","slug":"the-best-bars-and-nightlife-in-berlin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/42025\/","title":{"rendered":"The best bars and nightlife in Berlin"},"content":{"rendered":"

Berlin<\/a> is famed the world over for its diversity of nightlife, from hipster hangouts to never-ending nightclubs. There’s a very good spread of establishments, including old-school corner pubs (Kneipen) and smart wine bars as well as grungy indie bars and live gig venues.<\/p>\n

From old-fashioned cocktails in hidden speakeasies, fizzy Pilsners in buzzy beer halls or schnapps on a balcony overlooking Kantstrasse, read on for my favourite spots in Berlin.<\/p>\n

Find nightlife by type:Best pubs and beer gardensPrater Biergarten<\/p>\n

Dating from 1837, Prater Biergarten is Berlin’s oldest beer garden and one of its most popular. It is set inside a fairly nondescript courtyard in Prenzlauer Berg, and might look a little desolate in winter, but come summertime the chestnut trees are in bloom and the locals sip beers and munch sausages on shared wooden picnic benches. As well as a decent Helles (Bavarian-style lager), also available as a non-alcoholic version, they serve Prater Dunkel (a dark beer) and Maisel’s Weisse (a wheat beer) on tap. The neighbouring restaurant (Prater Gastst\u00e4tte) serves classic German cuisine \u2013 hearty dishes like schnitzel, trout and goulash \u2013 all year round.<\/p>\n

Website:pratergarten.de<\/a>Prices: \u00a3<\/p>\n

\"Prater<\/p>\n

Prater Biergarten is Berlin’s oldest beer garden and one of its most popular – Prater Biergarten<\/p>\n

Schwarzes Caf\u00e9<\/p>\n

Once a haunt of the West Berlin cognoscenti (a former haunt of David Bowie and Iggy Pop), the Schwarzes Caf\u00e9 remains a bonafide Charlottenburg institution. It attracts a mix of tourists and locals as it shifts effortlessly between being a bar, caf\u00e9 and restaurant. Food tends towards the traditional (schnitzel and sp\u00e4tzle) with some pasta and fish dishes thrown in, and drinks range from some great lagers and wheat beers to mixed drinks, prosecco, schnapps and cocktails. The tiny balconies that look over Kantstrasse are especially sweet. Note that it’s cash only here.<\/p>\n

Website:schwarzescafe-berlin.de<\/a>Prices:&ZeroWidthSpace; \u00a3<\/p>\n

\"Schwarzes<\/p>\n

Somewhere between a bar, caf\u00e9 and restaurant, Schwarzes Caf\u00e9 is a Charlottenburg institution<\/p>\n

Hops & Barley<\/p>\n

This is a consistently homely and welcoming bet for a decent beer and a pleasant atmosphere. Dominated by the in-house copper brew kettles that indicate the venue’s commitment to home-brewing, the general d\u00e9cor is redolent of a typical Berlin bar (Kneipe) with stucco on the walls, tiled and wooden floors and a mix of wooden tables, armchairs and upholstered sofas. It draws a local crowd that’s only part hipster, and the home-brewed beers on offer include unfiltered pilsners, IPAs, dark beers and wheat beers (plus a deliciously cloudy cider), as well as Flammkuchen for sustenance. It’s also a good spot to watch national and international football matches when they’re on.<\/p>\n

Website:hopsandbarley.eu<\/a>Prices:&ZeroWidthSpace; \u00a3<\/p>\n

\"Hops<\/p>\n

Hops & Barley has good beer and a pleasant atmosphere – Marco Baass<\/p>\n

Hackbarths<\/p>\n

This is one of the last remaining local pubs in this part of Mitte, and is therefore something of a cherished institution. A bakery in former GDR times, the building actually dates from the 19th century, and a vague whiff of nostalgia can be discerned in the main room, with its dominant gold-edge bar and blue-tiled walls. The staff can seem a little distant if you’re not a regular, but they’ll soon warm to you if you hang around. The minimal bar menu extends to a few beers on tap and the occasional mixed drink.<\/p>\n

Phone: 00 49 30 28 27 70 4Prices:&ZeroWidthSpace; \u00a3<\/p>\n

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Best for cocktailsBecketts Kopf<\/p>\n

It’s easy to walk straight past this deliberately clandestine cocktail bar without even knowing it’s there. The clue is in the glowing head of Mr Beckett that shines out from the dark window like a literary ghoul. Ring the doorbell to find a sophisticated and intimate space comprising two rooms, one of which is always non-smoking. One of the city’s most established cocktail bars, it has long been known for working with German and Austrian boutique distillers, and also partners with some companies to develop special flavours and extracts. The vibe is dimly lit, with elegant, comfortable armchairs dotted around and large artworks on the walls, plus a poetic menu; if it’s too overwhelming just ask the bartender.<\/p>\n

Website: becketts-kopf.de<\/a>Prices: \u00a3<\/p>\n

\"Beckett's<\/p>\n

Beckett’s Kopf is a clandestine cocktail bar with an entrance that could easily be missed<\/p>\n

Victoria Bar<\/p>\n

This classic bar was luring in the locals long before Potsdamer Strasse became dotted with trendy restaurants and contemporary art galleries. Indeed, it feels immediately like a throwback to earlier times with its classic long, wooden bar and well-dressed wait staff, not to mention the artworks on the walls, which feature satirical works by the likes of Sarah Lucas, Marcel Dzama and Martin Kippenberger. The drinks list is equally classic and extensive, spanning champagne amalgams like the “Pick Me Up”, mixed with Cognac VSOP, grenadine, lemon juice, champagne and angostura, and the “Funkadelic 1995”, with Jose Cuervo Silver tequila, Cacha\u00e7a 51, Giffard P\u00eache, egg white and grenadine. If you get peckish, snack on one of the bar’s roast beef or club sandwiches.<\/p>\n

Website:victoriabar.de<\/a>Price: \u00a3\u00a3<\/p>\n

Wax On<\/p>\n

Neukolln’s trendy Weserstrasse isn’t exactly short on bars but this spot has emerged as one of the hottest cocktail venues in the area \u2013 helped along by the winning of the Best Bar in Germany award in 2024. The simple interior offers a blend of wood-heavy furnishings, moody lighting and an industrial chic feel with crumbling plaster and cement walls contrasted by a welcoming fireplace in winter.<\/p>\n

The crowd \u2013 and staff \u2013 are hip but approachable and the menu blends classic options with more creative concoctions. An Old Fashioned adds peanut butter and strawberry, rum is mixed with clarified banana juice and distilled coffee \u2013 crafted in the venue’s basement lab with the help of rotary evaporators and centrifuges. You can also go off-piste and ask for whatever you like or for suggestions. There are some natural wines, draft beer and some alcohol-free options on offer, too.<\/p>\n

Website:instagram.com\/waxonberlin<\/a>Prices: \u00a3-\u00a3\u00a3<\/p>\n

\"Wax<\/p>\n

Wax On has emerged as one of Berlin’s hottest new cocktail bars<\/p>\n

Rum Trader<\/p>\n

It’s small \u2013 possibly the smallest bar in Berlin \u2013 but Rum Trader is big on personality. One of the few cocktail bars in West Berlin, and certainly the most established, it maintains an authentic post-war atmosphere with its gramophone vinyl collection, waist-coated staff and vintage glasses. There’s room for around 25 people, mostly standing (though there are stools and a table), but this means you get to mingle with the locals. As per the name, the rum-based drinks are the thing to aim for, though there are plenty of whisky and gin drinks too, as well as bespoke options.<\/p>\n

Website: rumtrader.com<\/a>Prices:&ZeroWidthSpace; \u00a3-\u00a3\u00a3Getting in:&ZeroWidthSpace; Ring the bell for entry and arrive early to secure a seat. No big groups are allowed.<\/p>\n

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Best for wineFreundschaft<\/p>\n

Freundschaft means “friendship” in German, and this unique spot, tucked away in a commercial part of Mitte just off Friedrichstrasse, was born from the camaraderie of two Austrian wine connoisseurs: Johannes Schellhorn and Willi Schl\u00f6gl. The venture was financially backed by art aficionado Stephan Landwehr of Grill Royal fame, and bears his benign influence in the shape of several curated art works on the walls, as well as graffiti-tagged lamps and a industrial chandelier salvaged from Landwehr’s former King Size club. The wines on offer are primarily from Austria, but also span Germany and Burgundy, with around 15 wines offered by the glass \u2013 conventional, biodynamic, natural \u2013 alongside a few beers, some cocktail options and small plate dishes for sustenance.<\/p>\n

Website:istdeinbesterfreund.com<\/a>Prices:&ZeroWidthSpace; \u00a3-\u00a3\u00a3<\/p>\n

\"Freundschaft<\/p>\n

Freundschaft serves primarily Austrian wines – Freundschaft<\/p>\n

Rhinoceros<\/p>\n

Tucked away on a quiet tree-lined street in pretty Prenzlauer Berg, this charming music-lover’s bar might look simple from the outside, but it offers far more than the usual neighbourhood spot. Opened by a French-German couple with a passion for music and fine drinks, the menu features an excellent range of biodynamic wines, cocktails made with boutique spirits (including whiskies from Japan), plus a considered array of French cheeses and snacks. The interior is a warm, homely mix of vintage sofas and armchairs, retro chandeliers and lamps, and there’s even a fireplace for the colder months. The biggest talking point, though, is the bar’s hi-fidelity vintage sound system, on which the owners play jazz, funk and soul, including regular listening hours.<\/p>\n

Website: rhinoceros-berlin.com<\/a>Prices:&ZeroWidthSpace; \u00a3-\u00a3\u00a3<\/p>\n

\"Rhinoceros<\/p>\n

Rhinoceros is a music-lover’s bar – Rhinoceros<\/p>\n

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Best trendy barsLuzia<\/p>\n

One of Kreuzberg’s most popular pre-club bars, Luzia sits along the district’s buzzy Oranienstrasse. With exposed and distressed brick and concrete walls, splashes of street art and funky murals, and some quirky decorative knick knacks, it serves as a mellow coffee spot during the day, with locals chatting and people-watching from the large, street-facing windows. Come nightfall, especially at weekends, the house and techno gets turned up, lights are dimmed and the beers, mixed drinks and cocktails begin to flow as the clubbers warm up for the evening ahead.<\/p>\n

Website:luzia.tc<\/a>Prices:&ZeroWidthSpace; \u00a3-\u00a3\u00a3<\/p>\n

\"Luzia<\/p>\n

Luzia is a relaxed coffee spot during the day and a pre-club warm-up bar in the evenings<\/p>\n

Monkey Bar<\/p>\n

The 25Hours Hotel<\/a>‘s 10th-floor rooftop bar is one of the only decent bar options close to Zoologischer Garten. It is named the Monkey Bar for its views directly onto the monkey sections of the adjacent zoo, but the better vistas are actually from the other side, overlooking the Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church and West Berlin. The clientele is a dynamic mix of locals and international hotel guests, who mingle around the large, well-stocked bar (they make a mean G&T thanks to lots of boutique brands) and on the small dance floor.<\/p>\n

Website: &ZeroWidthSpace;monkeybarberlin.de<\/a>Prices:&ZeroWidthSpace; \u00a3-\u00a3\u00a3Getting in:&ZeroWidthSpace; No strict dress code, but you might have a better chance of getting in with a shirt rather than a hoodie<\/p>\n

\"Monkey<\/p>\n

Monkey Bar serves great cocktails and offers lovely views of the city – Stephan Lemke<\/p>\n

Return to index<\/a><\/p>\n

Best for live musicA Trane<\/p>\n

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 (space for 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 \u2013 beer, wine and mixed drinks mostly \u2013 are reasonable.<\/p>\n

Website:a-trane.de<\/a>Prices: \u00a3-\u00a3\u00a3\u00a0Getting in:&ZeroWidthSpace; Reservations are essential if you want a table<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A Trane jazz bar is one of the most popular in the city – A Trane<\/p>\n

Cl\u00e4rchens Ballhaus<\/p>\n

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 hosts swing, tango and salsa classes, as well as concerts and performances. The main downstairs restaurant, which has a beautiful, tree-filled terrace out front, combines traditional German cuisine with some Berlin classics such as K\u00f6nigsberger Klopse, the iconic Toast Hawaii, crispy fried Spreewald pickles, and “Wackelpudding” with vanilla sauce, as well as a traditional Sunday schnitzel.<\/p>\n

Website:claerchensball.haus<\/a>Prices: \u00a3Getting in:&ZeroWidthSpace; Reservations for the restaurant are recommended at weekends<\/p>\n

\"Cl\u00e4rchens<\/p>\n

Cl\u00e4rchens Ballhaus offers a soundtrack of predominantly jazz, swing and soul tunes – Bernd schoenberger<\/p>\n

B flat<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

Website: b-flat-berlin.de<\/a>Prices:&ZeroWidthSpace; \u00a3Getting in:&ZeroWidthSpace; Reservations are a good idea for weekends.<\/p>\n

\"B<\/p>\n

B flat was founded in the mid-1990s – B Flat<\/p>\n

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Best clubsSO36<\/p>\n

This legendary club is named after Kreuzberg’s Berlin Wall-era postal code (SO standing for S\u00fcdost, 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.<\/p>\n

Website: so36.de<\/a>Prices:&ZeroWidthSpace; \u00a3-\u00a3\u00a3<\/p>\n

\"SO36,<\/p>\n

Legendary club SO36 regularly hosts some of the biggest bands in the world<\/p>\n

Sisyphos<\/p>\n

Berlin is well known for techno clubs where you can spend more or less the whole weekend on the dance floor. Sisyphos \u2013 located in a former dog biscuit factory a little outside the city centre \u2013 has gradually become one of the consistent mainstays of the party scene. Its main hall, the Hammerhalle, offers pounding techno in an industrialised setting; but the real beauty of Sisyphos 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 d\u00e9cor. There are other, smaller rooms too and on-site facilities include food stalls, an ATM and a phone charging area \u2013 all to support your 72-hour, dance-floor holiday.<\/p>\n

Website:sisyphos-berlin.net<\/a>Prices: \u00a3Getting in:&ZeroWidthSpace; 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.<\/p>\n

Berghain\/Panorama Bar<\/p>\n

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 \u2013 no mirrors, concrete swings hung on chains, clean-easy chrome toilets \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

Website: berghain.de<\/a>Prices: \u00a3Getting in:&ZeroWidthSpace; 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.<\/p>\n

\"Berghain,<\/p>\n

Berghain is revered for its uncompromising approach to music and getting through the door – Iain Masterton \/ Alamy<\/p>\n

Tausend<\/p>\n

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<\/a>, if you fancy some Asian and Ibero-American bites before your dancing session.<\/p>\n

Website:tausendberlin.com<\/a>Price: \u00a3Getting in: This is the one Berlin club you should make an effort for \u2013 dress to impress<\/p>\n

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How we choose<\/p>\n

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 \u2013 to best suit every type of traveller \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.<\/a><\/p>\n