Directory

Europe's Party Central

With its reputation for beer drinking and loud dance parties, Berlin has earned a reputation for itself as Europe's city where the party never ends. However, you might need to refine your definition of party. For some, it's the boisterous rave party, for others it’s a night of clanging beer steins together with friends, and for still others, it's something much mellower: an evening of food and drink accompanied by outstanding jazz music. For all of these, Berlin nightlife has something to offer. A few of the more notable destinations to put on your tour while in Berlin:

Rive Gauche, located at Friedrichstrasse 105, Mitte, is a new club in the area, and has already earned a reputation for first-class lounging and dancing. Busiest on the weekends, you'll usually find the club filled to capacity with a well-dressed clientele. But if you find your dance needs are not met here, head on over to Blu, located on Potsdarner Platz (Marlene-Dietrich-Platz4). With three floors and lots of different dancing options, this club has something to fit most any style.

Not to be outdone, the Sage Club at Kopenicker Str. 76 in Mitte, also has three dance floors, but adds a special pool area as well. However, what's distinctive about this nice spot is that they also have several quiet areas where customers can just sit and chat with each other. Do you prefer a louder atmosphere? Check out the high-octane music being pumped out at Neunzig Grad (Dennewitzstr. 37, Schoneberg). The party starts here on Wednesday nights, and throughout the weekend, it keeps going until the early hours of the morning.

If jazz music is more your idea of good party music, then the A-Trane is where you want to spend your weeknights. As jazz lovers themselves, the A-Trane management has outfitted this club with an exceptional acoustic system, and offers live jazz music every night. The result is a laid-back, mellow atmosphere. Jazz is not your cup of tea? Then how about 1950s-era rock n' roll? That's what you'll find at the Pinguin Club, Wartburgstrasse 54, Schoneberg. In addition to the great music, they are to cocktails what Baskin-Robbins is to ice-cream: They have so many varieties, you'll never get bored.

The Reingold is another club with a huge selection of cocktails: More than 140 different varieties. They also offer a complete tapas menu, and in the summertime, they host grill parties on the outside patio. You'll find them at Novalisstr. 11, Mitte.

The Haifisch (Amdstrasse 25, Kreuzberg) doesn't offer grilled barbecue, but they have an outstanding sushi bar in the back, with cool music and cocktails to boot. And finally, what might be the most original concept in nightclubs: At Rosenthaler Straße 9 is Delicious Doughnuts. But lest you think this is a Dunkin Donuts clone, this is a full nightclub, with a funny atmosphere and chic decor. It features a long bar, several tables near the front, a circle of couches in the back, and yes, a dance floor. The atmosphere tends to be low-key, but very fun.

But then, that's the keyword for Berlin at night: Fun. And no matter you define it; you can find your own version of fun in Europe's Party Central.