Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
between a string of Turkish snack bars in a rundown
building behind Kottbusser Tor, this unusual, smoky, local
bar attracts gays, hipsters, ageing drunks and more. There
are regular DJ nights but it's more about experiencing the
diversity of the Kreuzberg crowds.
Tues-Sun 6pm-late.
Monarch
Skalitzerstr. 134
W
kottimonarch.de;
U-Kotbusser Tor; map pp.126-127.
Unpretentious and
slightly ragged place that attracts a hip crowd who groove
to a wide range of tunes - swing, rockabilly, folk, punk,
indie (no techno) - and enjoy views over Kotbusser Tor
from huge windows. Entrance is via an unmarked door
and stairwell opposite kebab shop
Misir Casisi
. Entry €3.
Tues-Sat 9pm-late.
Privatclub
Pücklerstr. 34
T
030 611 30 02,
W
privatclub-berlin.de; U-Görlitzer Bahnhof; map
pp.126-127.
Cellar club below
Weltrestaurant Markthalle
,
which is notable for weekend theme parties - attracting a
wide range of ages - ranging from 1970s disco trash and
new wave to blaxploitation funk. Local bands often play
here as well. €6-7.
Fri & Sat 11pm until late.
Sage Club
Köpenicker Str. 76
T
030 278 98 30,
W
sage
-club.de; U-Heinrich-Heine-Strasse; map pp.126-127.
One of Berlin's premier clubs, with multiple dance floors
and a good range of sounds - particularly rock, but also
hip-hop, r'n'b, mainstream and techno. Always a good vibe
and popular with a younger set.
Thurs-Sun 11pm-5am.
SO36
Oranienstr. 190
T
030 61 40 13 06,
W
so36.de;
U-Görlitzer Bahnhof; map pp.126-127.
Legendary club,
named after the district's old postcode, which has its roots
in punk, post-punk and alternative music - a string of
musical heroes have played here, including Iggy, Bowie and
Einstürzende Neubauten. Nowadays it hosts alternative
and electronic shows, including monthly parties like
“Gayhane”, a Turkish “homoriental” party, and “Ich bin ein
Berliner”, where you can catch an exquisite array of Berlin-
based artists playing everything from garage to synth-pop.
Entry €3-10.
Usually from 11pm.
Tresor
Köpenicker Str. 70
T
030 695 37 70,
W
tresorberlin.de; U-Heinrich-Heine-Strasse; map
pp.126-127.
A key player in Berlin's electronic music scene
with thumping techno booming in every nook of this
convoluted bunker-style club and attracting clubbers from
all over Europe. The volume, intensity and light show all
have to be experienced to be believed. Entry Wed €5-8, Fri
& Sat €10-15.
Wed-Sat midnight until late.
Watergate
Falckensteinstr. 49
T
030 61 28 03 96,
W
water-gate.de; U-Schlesisches Tor; map pp.126-
127.
A top Berlin nightspot, with a glorious riverside
location by the Oberbaumbrücke. The futuristic club with
its impressive light installations sprawls over two levels
with a large main floor and another with a lounge; music
is varied but mostly electronic. Some big-name DJs. Entry
€8-15.
Wed, Fri & Sat 11pm-late, occasional Tues &
Thurs events.
TOP 5 LIVE MUSIC CLUBS
Acud
See p.208
Magnet Club
See p.212
Schokoladen
See p.209
SO36
See p.213
Wild at Heart
See p.213
14
Wiener Blut
Wiener Str. 14
T
030 618 90 23;
U-Görlitzer Bahnhof; map pp.126-127.
Former studenty
bar that has aged along with its clientele, though there's
still table football and a buoyant, spirited atmosphere.
Bundesliga football or dancing depending on the night.
Daily 6pm until late.
Wild at Heart
Wiener Str. 20
T
030 611 70 10,
W
wildatheartberlin.de; U-Görlitzer Bahnhof; map
pp.126-127.
Cornerstone live music venue for rock 'n' roll,
indie and punk, with something always going on well into
the small hours.
Daily 8pm until late.
Würgeengel
Dresdener Str. 122
T
030 615 55 60;
U-Kottbusser Tor; map pp.126-127.
One of the best bars
in Kreuzberg, “the exterminating angel” has red walls,
great tapas, decadent decor and an extensive cocktail and
wine list. The feel is timeless, though with a trendy
clientele.
Daily 7pm-late.
FRIEDRICHSHAIN
Babette
Karl-Marx-Allee 36
T
0176 38 38 89 43,
W
barbabette.com; U-Schillingstrasse; map pp.126-
127.
Cool and sparsely furnished bar in the glass box
building of a former cosmetics shop. At night, its only
identifying feature is the warm glow of the interior lights.
The upstairs former treatment rooms occasionally have live
music.
Daily 6pm-late.
Ì
Berghain
Am Wriezener Bahnhof
W
berghain
.de; S-Ostbahnhof; map pp.126-127.
This vast, artfully
scuzzy old power plant with a fantastic sound system is
considered by many people to be the best club in the world.
Minimal techno and house cannonball around the gigantic
dancefloors that are packed largely with shirtless guys.
More laid-back bars and murky backrooms cater to other
desires of an evenly mixed gay and straight crowd. The club
ensures and abuses its legendary status with a picky,
indefinable door policy: avoid looking like a tourist or
arriving in any kind of group. And remember headline acts
often start at noon - so there's no rush to get here early;
about 5am is ideal, when the wait to get in generally drops
below an hour. Entry €14.
Fri & Sat midnight until late
(usually late afternoon the next day).
Cassiopeia
Reveler Str. 99
T
030 47 38 59 49,
W
cassiopeia-berlin.de; U- & S-Warschauer Strasse;
map pp.126-127.
Yet another former squat where the
shambolic vibe has been preserved to produce a venue that's
as odd, grungy and as hip and nebulous as any: there's a
