Berlin At Night: A Guide to the City’s Vibrant Nightlife

The German capital is known for many things, but the emphasis is almost always on daytime activities. However, for many people, knowing what to do in Berlin at night opens the door to a much more exciting adventure than typical daylight activities. The logic behind this lies in the fact that the city transforms in a surprising way when night falls and takes on new life, offering you unique perspectives. 

This is only natural, as this city stands out as one of the main party and cultural centers in Europe. As we are going to show you today, there are many things you can do during the night.

The best things to do during the night in Berlin

Berlin's nightlife scene is quite diverse, with activities for all tastes, ranging from music festivals to multicultural celebrations and exhibitions. 

We are talking about a city that is full of night events, bars and clubs, as well as some places that offer privileged views of the city during the night. Basically, it is a real paradise for all party lovers. 

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the city's lively culture contributes to the overall atmosphere. You will feel that you are in a city that really never sleeps and always has something to offer, so getting bored is impossible. 

Visit Kreuzberg

There are certain areas of Berlin that deserve special mention because of all they have to offer to those interested in enjoying the nightlife. Kreuzberg is one of these areas, as it has a great variety of clubs, discos and bars that attract both locals and tourists in an extremely lively atmosphere. 

It is also the place where Tresor is located, one of the most iconic techno music clubs not only in the city, but in the whole world, which has the particularity that it was built on an old bank. 

It is worth mentioning that if you are interested in nightclubs, here you will also find a good selection, since this is where you will find the COBA, Kara Kas Bar, Birgit & Bier, Ipse and Burg Schnabel clubs, all of this style and noted for the high quality of the services and facilities they offer.

Party in Friedrichshain

This is another of Berlin's districts that is not to be missed during the night, since it really offers an incomparable nightlife. Like Kreuzberg, it has a wide range of clubs, bars and discos. In this case, the most popular place is Berghain, a perfect nightclub to dance all night to the rhythm of the best electronic music. 

Alternatively, another great option is Watergate, a club that offers a privileged view of the Spree River that looks spectacular every night. Also, for those looking for something more relaxed and not so exclusive, you can have a good drink and clear your mind at Holzmarkt 25, Minimal Bar and Luft und Liebe. 

On the other hand, if you're looking for a good laugh, you can head to Laughing Spree Comedy, where we guarantee that there will be no shortage of laughs on their live comedy nights.

Hanging out in Mitte

For a getaway during a weekend in Berlin, visiting the Mitte district is always a good option during the night. It stands out from other districts because of its central location and its wide range of restaurants and bars. 

Among the outstanding clubs we have to mention Weekend, which literally offers a high-rise experience, since it is located on the 15th floor of a building. This is a very positive thing, since it means that you can enjoy panoramic views of the city while having fun. 

Now, if during your adventure in Berlin at night, what you really want is to try the best cocktails in town, the best thing to do is to go to the Newton Bar. With its elegant atmosphere and its extensive catalog of drinks, you can have a great time.

What to do at night when you do not want to party

It doesn't all have to be dancing and partying. During the night, Berlin also offers an opportunity to enjoy unique sights, which can be much more wonderful than the sights during the day. In particular, there are two places that are ideal to visit when the moon is in charge of illuminating the sky.

Reichstag

The Reichstag, the name by which the seat of the German parliament is known, offers a tour that includes a tour of the Plenary Hall and a visit to its impressive dome. This dome is precisely the area of greatest interest for lovers of night views, as it offers a panoramic view of Berlin. 

We guarantee that seeing the lights of the city from great heights is like nothing you've ever seen before. However, it is an experience difficult to describe in words, so it is best to experience it for yourself.

Television Tower

The TV Tower has the honor of being the highest point in the city. At 368 meters high, you can be sure that standing on its observation deck is a thrilling experience, especially if you visit it at night, when Berlin's night lights completely alter the view of the city.

Strolling through the Brandenburg Gate and Unter den Linden

An evening stroll through these places should not be missing on your list of what to do in Berlin at night. For starters, the Brandenburg Gate is a true icon of German history. If it is impressive to see it during the day, at night it is even more so, as it is completely covered by its illumination, which enhances its splendid appearance. 

As a bonus, the fact that it is on Pariser Platz also adds to the quality of the walk, as this area is surrounded by multiple buildings of elegant architecture, many of which commemorate different historical events of great significance in Germany. 

For its part, Unter den Linden is not far behind as an excellent place to travel during the night. We are not only talking about one of the most prominent avenues of the German capital, but also one of the oldest. Its peculiar design makes it quite charming at night. 

It is a place that is not only perfect for strolling, but also for doing many things, since in the avenue you will find illuminated stores, cafes and restaurants. Therefore, it is guaranteed that you will find plenty of things to do for fun and relaxation.

Enjoying a relaxing cruise on the Spree River

An extremely popular activity during the evenings is to take one of the various river cruises on the Spree River that are available. The nighttime views from a boat are unparalleled and ensure unique enjoyment. 

In addition to all this, the atmosphere of the cruise itself is very pleasant, since they are characterized by offering drinks, delicious dinners and even live music. Thus, depending on your interests, they will allow you to have a romantic evening, relax or celebrate in a more original way.

Going on a "Pub Crawl"

A "Pub Crawl" is basically a pub stroll through different bars in the city. It is very popular in Berlin during the evenings because the city has a particularly large offer of bars. Also, the tour often includes some clubs, which allows you to enjoy in a more complete way many of the different nightlife environments available. 

There are several routes to choose from, so there is freedom to adapt to those that best suit your personal tastes. Some even offer exclusive deals. In case you want to add some to your list of what to do in Berlin at night, we have to say that among the best Pub Crawl options are the "Original Berlin Pub Crawl" and the "Berlin Pub Crawl" by SANDEMANs.

Bowling at Tante Lisbeth

Tante Lisbeth is a particularly popular bar in Berlin, located at Muskauer Str. 49. It gets a special mention because it allows customers to play bowling, an evening experience that always comes in handy. 

It goes without saying that it also allows you to have fun in the everyday ways of a bar, thanks to its relaxed atmosphere and wide variety of drinks. Likewise, its particular vintage decor makes it especially cozy.

Immerse yourself in a musical environment

For many people, Berlin´s night offers one of the best musical atmospheres in the world. It would therefore be a big mistake not to take advantage of this distinctive feature of the city. 

There are many ways to achieve this. The most typical is to attend one of the electronic music clubs in the city such as Tresor, Berghain and Watergate, famous for being quite iconic. 

If you are looking for something different, you can also listen to live music at venues such as Hanger 49 and Madame Claude. Also, there are often different venues that offer rock concerts.

Enter the Icebar

The Berlin Icebar is unlike any other bar, as its interior is completely made of ice. In fact, you'll have to make sure to bring warm clothes, as the temperature in it is around -10°. 

We are aware that this is a pretty cool experience, but it is no less exciting for that. Everyone should go to this bar during the night. 

It is worth noting that it is located at Spandauer Straße 2, 10178, very close to Alexanderplatz, because if you decide to explore the area at night as a tourist, it is quite a convenient stop.

Relax in Liquidroom

The last activity we recommend is to visit the Liquidroom. In this case we are not talking about a bar or club, but a luxury spa located in the heart of the city. 

You may not usually associate the night with a spa, but this should not be a reason to shut yourself off from this experience. It's just what you need to free your mind and body from any trace of stress. 

Achieving this is not at all complicated, since the spa stands out for being very well equipped. It has all kinds of services, including Turkish baths, saunas, massages and swimming pools. 

Our recommendation is to place the visit to Liquidroom at the beginning or at the end of your planning. The decision will depend on whether you want to be relaxed so you can start your sightseeing adventure on the right foot or if, on the contrary, you are looking to relax after an exhausting day of sightseeing around the city.

As an extra detail, beyond the relaxation activities, the design of the place is perfect to make you feel at home. In one of its areas there is a room with underwater music, aimed at offering you an environment where you can easily relax. It also has a quality fireplace that will transmit a deep warmth.

In conclusion, Berlin at night is a dream environment. It offers illuminated views that are truly unbeatable, which can be enjoyed from a river cruise or from the highest points of the city. To which we must add the wide range of clubs and bars, where you can have a good drink and then spend long hours partying and dancing, with the joy of knowing that the nightlife culture will conspire in your favor to make you feel like you’re in paradise.

Author: David Rickerson-Seidel

Guest Relations Manager at NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse

My name is David Rickerson-Seidel and I have been part of the NH Hotel Group since September 2015 when the first NH Collection Hotel opened in Germany. After 16 years of hotel experience, I was offered a great chance to meet people from all over the world and each time I was able to learn from them – this is one of the reason why I love my position as a Guest Relation Manager. My daily task is to fulfil our guest’s needs before they actually asking for it. With my passion for my job it is always a great pleasure to see our guests happy and smiling before they leave the hotel and I know that we have done the job right. I always say that the only thing that a guest can’t buy and book in advance is our smiling receptionist with a warm welcoming, the friendly breakfast host who would like to know if you slept well, and our elusive room maid, who is preparing the room so that it feels like home – our employees make the difference – this is why you are not checking into your room at a terminal. Whatever you need – we are always there for you.