Berlin’s nightlife is legendary for its exciting energy, culture, and some of the best bars in continental Europe. The city offers an eclectic mix of venues with something for every type of night owl. Whether you’re looking for a cozy craft cocktail lounge, an edgy industrial bar that feels, or a Bavarian-themed pub offering drinks and street food, Berlin has it.

If you want a true taste of German refreshment, there are tons of great bars to include in a Berlin food tour. 

Iconic Bars in Berlin You Can’t-Miss

There are too many iconic bars in Berlin to mention in one article, but the following are some of the can’t-miss experiences that will give you a good taste of the city’s nightlife.

Berghain Panorama Bar

More of a club than a bar, Berghain’s Panorama Bar in Friedrichshain is one of the hottest spots in the city’s vibrant nightlife. It’s in a former power plant and is well known for having an exceptional sound system with eclectic music. It’s also near other popular Berlin nightlife hotspots.

The atmosphere at Berghain with its industrial architecture, high ceilings, and minimalist design creates an energetic vibe. Creating the perfect place to dance and have drinks with new great new friends you haven’t met yet!

Berghain’s drink selection is diverse with a variety of beers, trendy cocktails, and some perfectly refreshing non-alcoholic options. Thought their BioZisch sodas were a perfect thirst quencher. 

Berghain Panorama Bar (€5–10) – Am Wriezener bhf, 10243 Berlin, Germany.

Buck and Breck

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Photo credit: Buck and Breck

Buck and Breck in Berlin’s Mitte district is a distinguished speakeasy-style bar that is known for exceptional cocktails and intimate ambiance. It hides discreetly between a police station and a seemingly unremarkable storefront, the entrance is marked only by a subtle “BAR” buzzer and a neon “closed” sign, which adds to the speakeasy vibe.  

The drink menu at Buck and Breck specializes in Prohibition-inspired cocktails that are meticulously crafted with precision. Their signature “Gimlet Twist” perfectly balances gin, lime, and woodruff cordial, in a perfectly refreshing way.

One of the other things I love about Buck and Breck is their strict no-mobile phone policy. It preserves the intimate environment, which helps you appreciate the special experience with such limited seating.  

Buck and Breck (€15–30) – Brunnenstraße 177, 10119 Berlin, Germany.

Monkey Bar

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Photo credit: Monkey Bar

Monkey Bar is on the 10th floor of the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, where it offers a stunning panoramic view of the city skyline. It takes its name from the nearby Berlin Zoo’s monkey enclosure.

Monkey Bar’s décor combines lush greenery with modern design elements to create a lively ambiance. I think the outdoor terrace is the perfect spot to be at sunset until the DJ starts.

The drink menu features an international selection of drinks, ranging from highballs to classic cocktails, and signature creations. They offer different specials on a nightly basis depending on the mood of their in-house mixologists and whatever special event they might have going on.

Monkey Bar (€10–20) – Budapester Str. 40, 10787 Berlin, Germany.

Bar Recommendations by Locals

Local Berliners often bar-hop through specific neighborhoods while avoiding tourist-heavy hotspots. Some of the more popular neighborhoods like Neukölln and Kreuzberg have vibrant bar scenes. This allows Berliner bargoers to shift gears throughout the night to suit their mood. 

Berlin has tons of bars that are gems hiding in plain sight. Sometimes the entrance is concealed behind unmarked doors, old phone booths, or even bookcases. 

Berlin’s Drinking Areas: Where to Go for the Best Night Out

There are tons of great neighborhoods and districts throughout Berlin offering a unique nightlife experience. Seeking out the ones with the highest density of diverse bars lets you barhop.

Neukölln

Neukölln_Klunkerkranich

Photo credit: Klunkerkranich

With its eclectic, artistic crowd, Neukölln has become a hotspot for creative bars in Berlin’s nightlife scene. The area’s relaxed atmosphere is perfect for casual bar hopping at establishments like Klunkerkranich, and hidden gems like Vagabund Taproom.

Kreuzberg

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Photo credit: Club der Visionäre

Well-known for its edgy and diverse nightlife scene, Kreuzberg is overloaded with eclectic bars to try. You’ll find the full spectrum here from dive bars like Schwarze Traube to chic cocktail lounges like Jaja. I think the riverside bar Club der Visionäre with its outdoor area is one of Berlin’s must-try bars.

Charlottenburg

Monkey_Bar_Charlottenburg_Berlin

Photo credit: Monkey Bar

The bars in Berlin’s Charlottenburg district offer a more refined experience. It’s home to more sophisticated cocktail bars and chic lounges like Monkey Bar, and Rum Trader. I think this is the place to be if your idea of a nice night out calls for a blend of luxury and charm.

Mitte

Berlin’s Mitte offers a nice mix of historic charm and modern sophistication that’s reflected in its bars. You see this in iconic spots like Newton Bar and hidden speakeasies like Buck and Breck that cater to a variety of tastes. 

Must-Try Drinks in Berlin

Berlin’s bar scene offers some must-try drinks that will give you a true taste of the city and its nightlife.

Berliner Luft

Berliner_Luft_Berlin

This is a type of peppermint schnapps that’s light, refreshing, slightly sweet, and often thought of as a party drink. Bars often serve it as a chilled shot.

Berliner Weisse

Berliner_Weisse_Berlin

A classic Berliner Weisse wheat beer that is sometimes served with a dash of raspberry or woodruff syrup. You often find it served in casual beer gardens and trendy bars where it might be served with syrup or “pur” without syrup.

Club Mate Cocktails

Club Mate is a yerba mate soda that has sort of become Berlin’s alternative energy drink. It has a bit of a cult following and many trendy bars mixed with vodka or rum. It offers a nice caffeine kick to keep dancing until dawn.

Tips for Enjoying Berlin’s Bar Scene

The bar scene in Berlin offers something for every taste. From laid-back neighborhood pubs to upscale cocktail lounges there are a few tips to help you make the most of the experience.

Show Up Early

outdoor_bar_berlin

If you want a laid-back experience, or just to enjoy a quiet drink while you catch up with an old friend, it’s best to show up early. This is when Berlin’s bars are quietest, and service is fast. 

Embrace the Local Bar Culture

Visiting Berlin’s bars is not the time to order the same old drinks you have at your local bar back home. Embracing Berlin’s strong beer culture, with craft breweries and local lagers will open you up to the experience. 

Prepare for a Long Night

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Many of Berlin’s bars don’t have strict closing times. Some stay open until the early morning hours. So, prepare for a long night, and pace yourself accordingly.

Sources:

Klunkerkranich. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from http://www.klunkerkranich.org/

Monkey Bar Berlin. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from http://www.monkeybarberlin.de/

Buck & Breck. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.buckandbreck.com/

Berghain. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.berghain.berlin/en/

Jaja Wein. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://jajawein.de/

Schwarze Traube. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from http://www.schwarzetraube.de/

Club der Visionaere. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from http://www.clubdervisionaere.com/

Newton Bar. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from http://www.newton-bar.de/

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