Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [106]
Hops & Barley (Map; 2936 7534; Wühlischstrasse 38) Conversation flows as freely as the beer (and cider) produced right at this congenial microbrewery. Share a table with low-key locals swilling postwork pints and munching rustic Treberbrot, a hearty bread made with a natural by-product from the brewing process.
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Charlottenburg & Schöneberg
Galerie Bremer (Map; 881 4908; Fasanenstrasse 37; from 8pm Mon-Sat) Entering this tiny bar tucked behind an art gallery feels like slipping into a swanky ’20s speakeasy. The air, though, is rather genteel, grown-up and completely devoid of debauchery. Vintage fans will adore the original interior by Berliner Philharmonie architect Hans Scharoun.
Universum Lounge (Map; 8906 4995; Kurfürstendamm 153) The curvaceous teak bar and white leather banquettes of this spacey retro-glam libation station fill up quickly after the curtain falls at the Schaubühne theatre located in the same building, a 1920s Bauhaus gem by Erich Mendelssohn.
Green Door (Map; 215 2515; Winterfeldtstrasse 50) A long line of renowned ‘mixologists’ has tended at this oh-so-stylish drinking establishment. They make you ring the doorbell to gain entry, but once inside you’ll find it hard to leave the comfy surrounds
Puro Skylounge (Map; 2636 7875; Tauentzienstrasse 11; from 8pm Tue-Sat) Puro has quite literally raised the bar in Charlottenburg, by moving it to the top of the Europa Center, that is. It’s a great place if you want to trade classic Berlin funky-trash for a high-heeled Chanel world. Mind erasers of choice are Moët, martinis and cosmos. Dress up, or forget about it.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Sometimes it seems as though Berliners are the lotus-eaters of Germany, people who love nothing better than a good time. Pack some stamina if you want to join them. With no curfew, this is a notoriously late city where bars stay packed from dusk to dawn and beyond and some clubs don’t hit their stride until 4am.
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Listings
Zitty (www.zitty.de) and Tip (www.tip-berlin.de) are the most widely read of the biweekly German-language listings magazines available at newsstands. Party-oriented 030 (www.berlin030.de) is the best of the free zines, while Berlin Programm (www.berlin-programm.de) is a good source for mainstream and high-brow events. For up-to-the-minute happenings, subscribe to the free e-newsletter of Berlin Unlike (www.berlin.unlike.net). The English-language monthly ExBerliner (www.exberliner.de) also has select listings.
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Tickets
Credit-card bookings by telephone or online through a venue’s box office are becoming more commonplace in Berlin. Most take reservations over the phone but make you show up in person to pay for and pick up your tickets. Agencies, which are commonly found in shopping malls and department stores such as KaDeWe or Galeria Kaufhof, usually add a steep service charge (up to 20%).
Berlin Infostores All Berlin Infostores sell tickets to events in person, by phone and online. Discounts of up to 50% are available for select same-day performances.
Hekticket ( 230 9930; www.hekticket.de) Alexanderplatz (Map; 2431 2431; Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 12; noon-8pm Mon-Sat); Bahnhof Zoo (Map; 230 9930; Hardenbergstrasse 29a; 10am-8pm Mon-Sat, 2-6pm Sun) Also sells discounted ‘last min’ tickets for select same-day performances between 2pm and 7pm.
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BERLIN’S BOAT OF BABBLE
A fun and easy way to meet friendly locals over beer and bratwurst is at the World Language Party, which takes over the retro lounge of the floating Eastern Comfort Hostelboat every Wednesday from 6pm. It brings together an easygoing, all-ages international crowd, including lots of regulars, but don’t be shy – people are friendly and eager to welcome newcomers. Admission is €1, which is added to your first drink. Also check MC Charles’ website, www.english-events-in-berlin.de, for updates and additional goings-on.