Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [107]
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PARTY MILES
Köpenicker Strasse, Kreuzberg (Map) Industrial riverside strip where nights might start with supper at chic Spindler & Klatt, continue with a caipirinha at Kiki Blofeld and finish with steaming up the dance floor at Tresor (opposite) or, if you’re in the mood (and dressed right), the libidinous KitKatClub (below)
Kottbusser Tor/Oranienstrasse, Kreuzberg (Map) Grunge-tastic area best suited for dedicated drink-a-thons at Möbel Olfe, Würgeengel and Monarch. The closest music and dance venue is SO36 (opposite).
Oranienburger Strasse, Mitte (Map) Major tourist zone where you have to hopscotch around sex workers and pub crawlers to drown your sorrows in overpriced bars.
Schlesische Strasse, Kreuzberg (Map) Freestyle street where you could kick off with beer at Freischwimmer, catch a band at Dot Club (opposite) and dance till sunrise at Watergate (below) or Club der Visionäre (below).
Simon-Dach-Strasse, Friedrichshain (Map) If you need a cheap buzz, head to this well-trodden booze strip. Kptn A Müller is great for escaping the cookie-cutter cocktail lounges.
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Nightclubs
Berghain/Panorama Bar (Map; www.berghain.de; Am Wriezener Bahnhof, Friedrichshain; Fri & Sat) According to Britain’s DJ Mag this is the best club in the world and we have no problem seconding the hype. Only the best techno and house vinyl masters heat up this hedonistic bass junkie haven inside a labyrinthine ex–power plant. Strict door and no cameras.
Clärchens Ballhaus (Map; 282 9295; Auguststrasse 24, Mitte; from 10pm Mon, from 9pm Tue-Thu, from 8pm Fri & Sat, from 3pm Sun) Yesteryear is now at this late, great 19th-century dance hall where groovers and grannies swing their legs to tango, swing, waltz, disco and pop. In the daytime, the garden’s a nice spot for pizza and German soul food (served from 12.30pm).
Club der Visionäre (Map; 6951 8942; Am Flutgraben 1, Kreuzberg; daily) This summertime chill and party playground in an old canalside boat shed is great for a drink or two at any time of day or night. On weekends, they practically never close, making it one of the best Sunday after-party spots in town.
Cookies (Map; www.cookies-berlin.de; Friedrichstrasse 158-164, Mitte; Tue, Thu & Sat) This legendary party palace used to be midweek only but now also runs a Saturday party called ‘Crush’. There’s no sign, a tough door, great cocktails, and a grown-up ambience. Enter next to the KPM store.
Felix clubrestaurant (Map; 206 2860; Behrenstrasse 72, Mitte; Thu-Sat) Once past the velvet rope of this exclusive supper club at the Adlon, you too can be shaking that booty to ‘international club sounds’, sip champagne cocktails and – who knows? – maybe even meet your very own Carrie or ‘Mr Big’. Great after-work party on Thursday (from 9pm).
KitKatClub @ Sage (Map; 278 9830; www.kitkatclub.de; Köpenicker Strasse 76, enter from Brückenstrasse, Mitte; Fri & Sat) This ‘kitty’ is naughty, sexy, decadent, listens to techno and house and fancies leather and lace, vinyl and whips. Berlin’s infamous erotic nightclub currently hides out at Sage Club with its multiple dance floors, shimmering pools and fire-breathing dragon. Check the website for dress code instructions.
Tape Club (Map; www.tapeberlin.de; Heidestrasse 14, Mitte; from midnight Sat, sometimes Fri) There’s a tantalising underground vibe to this dancing den where top local and visiting DJs get clubbers going with Chicago- and Detroit-influenced house, deep house, dub house and dub techno. Watch out for the ‘Tape Modern’ party series, a fusion of club and art expo.
Watergate (Map; 6128 0394; www.water-gate.de; Falckensteinstrasse 49a, Kreuzberg; Fri & Sat) Watergate has a fantastic location with a lounge overlooking the Spree and a floating terrace actually on it. Top DJs keep the two floors hot and sweaty with a head-spinning mix of techno, breakbeat, house and drum ’n’ bass.
Weekend (Map; www.week-end-berlin.de; Am Alexanderplatz 5, Mitte; Thu-Sat) This hot ’n’ heavy club in a GDR-era office building delivers