The Best Clubs in Berlin: Your Nightlife Guide to the Capital

Kater Blau: Creativity Meets Party

This unpretentious club is a playground for adults—a place where indoor dance floors merge with open-air spaces. Featuring colorful decor and a mix of electro-house and experimental sounds, the club offers a fresh alternative and attracts a diverse crowd. In summer, the riverside terrace along the Spree transforms into a vibrant oasis with an alternative flair. The club hosts techno music parties that last all night. Everyone is welcome, and entry is typically stress-free.



Highlight: The unique themed evenings, such as "Freaky Friday," are a must for adventurous souls.

Holzmarktstraße 25, Friedrichshain, 10243 Berlin. https://www.katerblau.de/

Zum schmutzigen Hobby

This queer club, located in the RAW area, plays music from the 80s and 90s and is always filled with enthusiastic dancers. It’s a great spot to sing along and dance to well-known tunes together.

Revaler Straße 99, Friedrichshain, 10245 Berlin. https://zumschmutzigenhobby.de/

Filmkunstbar Fitzcarraldo

If you’ve had enough of electronic music and want to sweat to familiar and entertaining melodies, this is the place for you. On weekends, the bar is packed, and there’s barely room to move, but the crowd is always spirited.

Reichenberger Straße 133 Kreuzberg, 10999 Berlin. https://www.cinegeek.de/filmkunstbar-fitzcarraldo-roderich

Monster Ronson’s Ichiban Karaoke

If you’re in the mood for a fun karaoke experience, why not rent a booth with your friends or test your skills on the main stage? Entry fees vary, but are generally around €10. Booths cost between €12 and €32 per hour.

Warschauer Straße 34 Friedrichshain, 10243 Berlin. https://www.karaokemonster.de/

Birgit und Bier

Located next to “Club der Visionäre,” this lovely party venue also functions as a beer garden in summer. With generous outdoor spaces, plenty of room to chat over beer and 80s music, as well as three dance floors offering electronic music and RnB, it’s a true crowd-puller. Entry is typically hassle-free, making it a great option for a night out with friends. For variety, nearby venues like “Ipse,” “Lido,” or “Farbfernseher” are worth checking out. 

Schleusenufer 3 Kreuzberg, 10997 Berlin. https://www.birgit.club/

SO36: Rebellion and Diversity in Kreuzberg

SO36 is not just a club—it’s a piece of Berlin’s cultural history. Founded in the late 1970s, it has developed into a hub for the alternative scene. The club is known for its diverse events, ranging from punk concerts to queer parties. The atmosphere at SO36 reflects Berlin’s creative and rebellious soul. Rumor has it that David Bowie once visited, adding a special touch to its legacy.

Why go?: For a night of authenticity and subculture. 

Oranienstraße 190 Kreuzberg, 10999 Berlin. https://www.so36.com/

Salon Zur Wilden Renate

This spirited Berlin club is housed in a two-story abandoned building, reminiscent of a wildly decorated shared apartment. It features a garden as an outdoor area. The maze of interconnected rooms includes an absinthe bar, cages, and an iron bed. Parties generally kick off around 2 AM. 

Alt Stralau 70, 10245 Berlin, S-Bahn Treptower Park oder Ostkreuz, www.renate.cc.

:// About Blank

This former illegal venue is a true institution in Berlin’s electronic music scene. With two large dance floors, ://about blank offers a raw, industrial vibe perfectly suited to its musical style. The club boasts a large open-air area and is just a short walk from Salon Zur Wilden Renate. Parties at ://about blank are legendary for continuing into the next day. 

Markgrafendamm 24c, 10245 Berlin. http://aboutblank.li.

Sisyphos: A Weekend Like a Fairytale

The Sisyphos club, known for its electronic music, is located in a former pet food factory. Due to its location further from the city center in Berlin-Rummelsburg, it’s harder to reach than other clubs. However, it’s especially popular in summer when it operates partially as an open-air club. Sisyphos parties are famous for lasting up to five days without interruption. The main hall mostly plays techno, while the second dance floor is focused on house music. The expansive garden, scattered with abandoned cars and other quirky details, lends Sisyphos its incomparable atmosphere. Recommendation: Pack comfortable shoes—this club is a theme park for dancers.

Empfehlung: Packen Sie bequeme Schuhe ein – dieser Club ist ein Erlebnispark für Tänzer.

Hauptstraße 15, 10317 Berlin, https://sisyphos-berlin.net, info@sisyphos-berlin.net

Ritter Butzke

Once an illegal party spot, Ritter Butzke is located in a former factory in Kreuzberg near Moritzplatz. This club attracts a much more local crowd than many of the city's other venues. With three main dance floors and a summer courtyard, this authentic Berlin nightclub offers an unforgettable experience for electronic music lovers. Parties often last well into the next day. 

Ritterstraße 26, 10969 Berlin. U8 am Moritzplatz. https://club.ritterbutzke.com/

Berghain: Techno in Its Purest Form

Probably the most famous club in Berlin and one of the world's most exclusive techno clubs, Berghain combines raw architecture with a world-renowned sound system. On the main dance floor, in the Panorama Bar, and in the dark rooms of this massive old power plant, almost anything goes. Techno dominates the main hall, while the Panorama Bar upstairs lures with house beats. Its impressive architecture and famous resident DJs attract techno enthusiasts from around the globe every week. The bouncer is notoriously strict. Arriving early on Sunday morning is the best way to soak in the atmosphere. In summer, there's also an outdoor disco garden.

Entry Secrets: The strict door policy is legendary. Opt for understated clothing, come in a small group, and be patient—Sunday morning might be your best bet.

Overnight Tip: Our StayBearlin apartments in Friedrichshain are just a stone's throw away—perfect for a night at Berghain! Just make sure to be quiet when coming home late to avoid disturbing the neighbors. 

Am Wriezener Bahnhof, Friedrichshain, Ostbahnhof.  https://www.berghain.berlin/

Matrix

Directly under the Warschauer Straße U-Bahn station, you can dance to R'n'B, house, soul, electro, disco, and pop across seven dance floors in the historic railway arches dating back to 1901. The diverse mix of music and lively atmosphere is especially popular with young people.

Warschauer Platz 18, Friedrichshain, MS/U Warschauer Straße, https://www.matrix-berlin.de/

Watergate: Nightlife with a View of the River

Watergate is located directly on the banks of the Spree in Kreuzberg. The club impresses with its panoramic windows, offering views of the Spree, the Universal Music headquarters, and the Oberbaum Bridge. Its LED light ceiling is also a highlight. For over 20 years, it has been a cornerstone of Berlin's club scene, hosting house and techno events that attract both locals and tourists.

Insider Tip: Stay until dawn—the view of the illuminated Oberbaum Bridge is unmatched.

Falckensteinstraße 49 Kreuzberg, 10997 Berlin. http://water-gate.de/