Nightlife · Berlin · Germany
Berlin nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Berlin, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Berlin is one of the world's great nightlife cities, famous for techno clubs in former industrial buildings that open from Friday night to Monday morning. Bars stay open as long as there are customers, and there is no fixed closing time. The main areas are Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Schöneberg and Mitte.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 5
- Stay near the action
- Kreuzberg
- Local drink
- Berliner Weisse
Where to go out
Friedrichshain
Big-name clubs near the Spree and Ostkreuz, the RAW-Gelände and bar streets around Simon-Dach-Strasse.
Kreuzberg
Bars on Oranienstrasse and around Kottbusser Tor, canal-side venues and clubs by the river.
Neukölln
Dive bars, cocktail spots and wine bars around Weserstrasse and Reuterkiez.
Schöneberg
The historic LGBTQ+ bar scene around Nollendorfplatz and Motzstrasse.
Mitte
Cocktail bars and upmarket venues around Torstrasse and Rosenthaler Platz.
Nightlife tips
- Clubs get going after 1am and peak on Saturday and Sunday mornings; dress in dark, casual clothing and keep a low profile at the door.
- Photography is banned in many clubs, and phone cameras may be covered with stickers at the door.
- Bring cash for club entry and bars; many still do not take cards.
Evening sights
Landmark · Mitte
Brandenburg Gate
Visit at night when it is floodlit and quiet, then walk two minutes to the Reichstag and the Holocaust Memorial.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- After dark
- Photo spot
What to drink
- Berliner Weisse — A light, tart wheat beer traditionally served in a bowl-shaped glass with a shot of raspberry or green woodruff syrup and a straw. Craft brewers now also make unsweetened versions.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 14°C (57°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 16:21 | -2°C (28°F) | 10 |
| April | About 20:04 | 4°C (39°F) | 7 |
| July | About 21:23 | 14°C (57°F) | 9 |
| October | About 18:12 | 6°C (43°F) | 8 |
Getting home late
- Metro — Validate paper tickets in the machines on platforms before boarding; there are no barriers, but inspectors fine fare dodgers.
- Tram — Trams run mainly in the former East, linking Mitte with Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain.
- Bus — Double-decker bus 100 runs past many landmarks between Zoologischer Garten and Alexanderplatz, a cheap alternative to a sightseeing tour.
- Walking — Mitte's main sights are walkable, but distances between districts are large, so combine walking with public transport.
Late-night bites
- Currywurst — Imbiss stands across the city, including the long-running stall under the elevated U2 tracks at Eberswalder Strasse and stands around Mehringdamm in Kreuzberg.
- Döner kebab — Kebab shops everywhere, especially in Kreuzberg around Kottbusser Tor and Mehringdamm, where the best-known stands have long queues.
- Buletten — Pubs, butcher shops and Imbiss counters.
- Spreewald pickles — Markets, delis and the food hall of KaDeWe; stalls in the Spreewald itself on a day trip.
- Falafel and shawarma — Sonnenallee in Neukölln and the streets around Hermannplatz.
Staying safe at night
Berlin is generally safe, but pickpockets work at Alexanderplatz, Warschauer Strasse, Kottbusser Tor and on crowded trains. Drug dealing is visible around Görlitzer Park and some stations. Watch out for shell-game scams near tourist sites and for cyclists in bike lanes.
- Emergency number
- 112 (fire and ambulance), 110 (police)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers, budget and solo travellers
Kreuzberg
Kreuzberg was walled in on three sides during the Cold War and became a home for Turkish immigrants, squatters and artists. Oranienstrasse and the area around Kottbusser Tor are packed with bars and kebab shops, the Landwehr Canal is lined with cafés, and Markthalle Neun hosts a weekly street-food market. The western Bergmannkiez is calmer, with old-Berlin shops.
- Good
- Lively day and night; Cheap, diverse food; Strong local character
- Watch out
- Some areas noisy and gritty; Drug dealing around Görlitzer Park and Kottbusser Tor
- Nearby
- Landwehr Canal, Markthalle Neun, Jewish Museum, Görlitzer Park
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Berlin?
Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg and Neukölln. Big-name clubs near the Spree and Ostkreuz, the RAW-Gelände and bar streets around Simon-Dach-Strasse.
+Which area of Berlin is best for nightlife?
Kreuzberg: Turkish-German heritage, canal-side cafés, street art and late bars.