Berlin is known for its versatile and varied bars, which have something to offer for almost every taste. The scene is lively and exciting, and you’ll find plenty of options for a nightcap or two or even a night out. There’s no need to commit with this offer, you can spend many different evenings with friends here.
A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE BERLIN BAR SCENE
The capital has an almost uncountable number of bars in every neighborhood. Many of them come and go, some stay. Finding the best bars in Berlin doesn’t usually require a long search. They can be found in every district and offer you great cocktails, varied music and always a special feature that sets them apart.
Cocktail bars and dance bars in Berlin are not just random places for a quick drink. They each have their own history and bring a personal touch that makes them appreciated and popular. Various distinctive bars with an international character and individual flair await you.
THE BEST COCKTAIL BARS
Finding the best cocktail bar in Berlin is not easy given the large number. Here are five impressive top locations that are well worth a visit. If you appreciate cocktails and creative creations, these bars are definitely a good choice.
SPHERE BAR BERLIN
The Sphere Bar is one of the best cocktail bars in Berlin Mitte. The name says it all: the bar is located 203 meters up in Berlin’s TV tower, making it the highest in the entire city and the highest bar in Germany in a single building. The panoramic view over Berlin is correspondingly impressive. The drinks are also extraordinary: the Sphere Bar is known for its creative beer cocktails made by BRLO.
SCHWARZE TRAUBE
You’ll find the Schwarze Traube in Kreuzberg’s Wrangelkiez district. The atmosphere is described as very authentic and cozy, just like in your own living room. Don’t be surprised, you have to ring the bell to get in. The bar is small and when it’s full, the entrance is closed. It’s worth arriving early if you want to secure a seat.
HERR LINDEMANN
This cocktail bar on Neukölln’s Richardplatz is absolutely exceptional, because you can get the best herbal cocktails here. The cocktail menu reads like an encyclopaedia for plants and offers you an exciting range of high-proof drinks, each with a perfectly balanced herbal mixture. The ambience is stylish and cozy, a bar for something special.
GREEN DOOR BAR
The Green Door Bar is located in the popular Winterfeldstraße in Schöneberg. In addition to classic cocktails, you can also enjoy delicious home-made creations that are worth a visit in themselves. The Chesterfield furniture at the entrance is just as classic as the furniture from the 1990s, which was brought in specially from New York. The bar itself is furnished somewhere between the set of a David Lynch movie and a private salon.
VELVET
The Velvet Bar on Ganghoferstraße specialises in modern cocktails and seasonal ingredients. Regional plants, herbs, fruits and other ingredients play a key role in creating unusual drinks. The atmosphere is understated and elegant, without coming across as overly posh. Anyone wishing to experience modern Berlin bar culture and creative cocktails will find this an exciting place to visit.
The best dance bars in Berlin
If you’re not just looking for a great cocktail, but also want to dance, then you should check out the following locations. Here you will find rousing music and all the conditions you need to turn night into day.
CLÄRCHENS BALLHAUS
The legendary dance bar Clärchens Ballhaus is located in Berlin Mitte. The name goes back to a ballroom that is more than 100 years old and is now a listed building. Here you will find delicious drinks, tasty food and varied music. It is also worth visiting during the day as part of a historical tour, which is offered regularly.
MADAME CLAUDE
The very chilled dance bar Madame Claude is located in Kreuzberg’s Wrangelkiez district and is housed in the premises of a former brothel. The cozy interior with lots of sofas is reminiscent of a so-called upside-down house, where everything is upside down. The bar is known for its delicious cocktails and music parties, which often take the form of experimental quizzes.
BOHNENGOLD
The Bohnengold on Reichenberger Straße is just the place for anyone looking to combine a bar and a dance floor. You can start the evening in a relaxed atmosphere with a drink before hitting the dance floor later on. Depending on the event, the music ranges from indie and chart hits to house, tech house and techno. At the weekend in particular, the line between bar and club blurs quite quickly – which is exactly why the Bohnengold fits perfectly into this category.
BIRGIT
Birgit combines a beer garden, bar and club on a spacious site on the banks of the Schleuse. During the day and in the early evening, you can sit outside, have a drink and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Later on, things get much more danceable across the various dance floors. Musically, a lot depends on the event in question. It’s precisely this mix of outdoor space and nightlife that makes Birgit a great spot for long summer evenings where nobody quite knows when they’ll end.
PRINZIPAL BAR
The Prinzipal Bar in Kreuzberg has a burlesque interior from the 1920s. The bar is stylish and offers first-class cocktails and a variety of burlesque shows. If you are interested in variety shows from the past, this bar is a must.
BEST BARS IN BERLIN FOR THE LGBTQ* SCENE
If you want to enjoy your evening in a queer-friendly setting, there are plenty of options in Berlin. Here are three bars that focus on comfort and openness.
SILVER FUTURE
This cheerful and lively bar in Neukölln is highly regarded in the community for its informal atmosphere. Even though the location is mainly favored by lesbians, there are also plenty of gays here. The drinks prices are generally considered to be particularly reasonable. During the day, Silver Future functions as a queer café with delicious cakes.
THE COVEN
This bar near Hackescher Markt combines modern design with an open, queer atmosphere. The menu features cocktails, long drinks and classic bar drinks. TheCoven is particularly well known within Berlin’s gay bar scene, but sees itself as an open venue for a diverse crowd. Thanks to its central location, the bar is also a great starting point for a long evening out in Mitte.
BAR SAINT JEAN
Saint Jean in Mitte is open to all queer guests and is particularly popular with gays. The bar is very stylish and at the same time minimalist and rather reserved. You can get excellent long drinks and many mule variations here.
TWO INSIDER TIPS AT THE END
There are plenty of cool bars in Berlin, including unusual ones off the beaten track. If you want to see something different, these two locations are an option.
KLUNKERKRANICH
The Klunkerkranich is not just a bar. The Neukölln location calls itself a cultural roof garden and offers you a varied program. It’s always worth taking a look at the event area, where you can often experience creative events in the afternoon and relax in the roof garden bar from 6.00 pm. By the way: the entire area is barrier-free.
TRAIN COCKTAILBAR
A special feature is the train cocktail bar, which is set up in a discarded and specially converted Berlin S-Bahn carriage from the 1920s. It is permanently stationed in Schöneberg, not far from Kleistpark. The atmosphere is cozy, the cocktails are varied and the clientele is diverse. However, you should always check the current opening hours, as the bar is not open every day of the week.
And if you want to round off your night and go partying, you can find the best clubs in Berlin here.
