18 BEST BARS in Berlin [December 2024]

Berlin is famous for its vibrant, multicultural, and exciting streets. This translates into the many interesting and fun bars that the city has on offer. Whether you are after traditional biergartens, unique living-room bars, cool speakeasy’s, or loud party bars, Berlin will have it! 

There is such a wide range of bars in Berlin that anyone could find their ideal drinking destination. Wherever you choose to go, Berlin bars are some of the best places to experience the city and soak up its one-of-a-kind appeal. Here are some of the best bars in Berlin Germany for any thirsty traveler. 

The Best Places to Stay in Berlin

Now that you know about some of the best bars that this city has to offer, you will need to choose some solid accommodation in order to make your trip as comfortable as possible. Here are some of our favorite accommodation choices in Berlin. 

#1 – Art’Otel Berlin Mitte

Our Favorite Cheap Hotel in Berlin

• Centrally located in the Mitte district
• A really creative space
• Features an excellent restaurant and bar

Art’Otel Berlin Mitte is the ideal destination for travelers looking for luxury on a budget. This hotel is fun, quirky, and sophisticated all at once. With its combination of restored vintage reception rooms and seriously modern bedrooms, this hotel is quite a creative destination.

The Upside Down Restaurant and Bar here is well worth visiting throughout the day. The rooms are comfortable, and the location couldn’t be better. Overall this is a fantastic hotel choice in Berlin. 

 

#2 – The Circus Hotel

Our Best Budget Hotel in Berlin

• A great central location
• Modern and well decorated
• Brilliant value for money

The Circus Hotel is centrally located in the heart of Berlin, between Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg districts. Due to its perfect location, superior comforts, and friendly feel, this has got to be one of the best hotels to choose on a budget.

The Circus Hotel has amazing clean rooms that are well equipped. They all have an en-suite bathroom, TV, and fast wifi. The hotel also has a great bar and restaurant! If you are looking for a top Berlin hotel without a huge price tag, then the Circus Hotel is the answer. 

 

#3 – Sofitel Berlin Kurfurstendamm

The Best Luxury Hotel in Berlin

• A beautiful and luxurious artistic hotel
• Guests have free use of the spa and gym
• Home to an excellent French Restaurant

For an unforgettable stay in Berlin, consider checking in to the Sofitel Berlin Kurfrstendamm. This stunning hotel offers all of the luxuries and comforts that anyone could ever ask for, providing you with the ideal home base while exploring the city.

The rooms are well equipped and beyond comfortable, while the hotel’s various facilities take the place to the next level. The location is also outstanding of course, being just 100m away from the Kurfurstendamm Boulevard. 

 

18 Best Bars in Berlin

There are so many amazing places to grab a drink in this city, and sometimes choosing the best can be difficult. Some of the best bars to go to will look unassuming during the day, but come alive in a truly special way at night! Here are some of the most popular bars in the city. 

#1 – Monkey Bar

There are many unique bars in Berlin, and the Monkey Bar is one of the best! This well-loved establishment offers unparalleled views in Berlin – as it is located on the 10th floor of the Monkey Hotel in Charlottenburg. This is not the only reason that it is called the Monkey Bar though, as you have a panoramic view of the zoo’s monkey house below! 

Besides the brilliant location, this bar in Berlin is a great place to enjoy some drinks on a sunny day or evening. The natural decor and art take you out of the city and into a relaxed, jungle-inspired atmosphere. 

 

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#2 – ORA Bar

Step away from the modern city and back in time with a visit to the ORA bar. ORA occupies the space of an old pharmacy, dating back to 1861. Many of the old features, such as apothecary jars and medicine cabinets remain. Sitting behind the old wooden bar here really makes you feel like you have entered a different era!

Besides the interesting setting, the bar serves top-quality food and drinks. The cocktail menu is innovative and well-executed, while the food will certainly have you coming back! 

 

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#3 – Tier

Tier is the perfect example of a great living-room bar in Berlin! Living-room bars are found all around Weserstrasse, Neukolln. These bars are unpretentious and laid back, made up of mismatched furniture, vintage decor, and patchy exposed walls. 

As relaxed and eclectic as Tier is though, expect excellent drinks and unforgettable nights here. Tier is a completely unique Berlin bar – the kind of place you just couldn’t find anywhere else in the world. 

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#4 – Clarchens Ballhaus

Clarchens Ballhaus is one of the grandest bars in Berlin! This sophisticated place is housed in an old ballroom, dating back to 1913. Upstairs you can find a beautiful baroque ballroom, with mirrored walls, chandeliers, and a detailed ceiling

Choose to sit outside for a casual drink, or visit on an exciting night of live music and dancing! Clarchens Ballhaus is a really special place for a true Berlin experience.

#5 – Das Hotel

Das Hotel is one of the best bars Berlin has to offer! This romantic living-room bar in Kreuzberg is warm and inviting, yet totally stripped back. Sit at a small mismatched table by candlelight in this industrial feeling bar. 

The staff here are really friendly, and the drinks are always great! Das Hotel is also a top place for meeting new friends or hanging out with old ones in a relaxed atmosphere. This is the kind of bar that you could only find in Berlin, and is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a unique experience in this city!

 

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Best Biergartens in Berlin

You can’t visit Germany without stopping in at a lively Biergarten! These festive hangouts are the perfect place to enjoy sunny days, meet new people, and indulge in some delicious local foods. Here are some of the best biergartens in Berlin. 

#6 – Cafe am Neuen See

Located next to the glorious lake in the middle of Tiergarten Park, Cafe am Neuen See is the ideal place to enjoy a sunny day in Berlin! Whether you are after some of the best beer in Berlin, a brilliant outdoor setting, and a fun social environment, then this is the place to go! 

Cafe am Neuen See also has a great restaurant indoors where you can enjoy a true taste of Berlin. Whether you come for the food, the beer, the outdoor setting, or the friendly faces, you will be sure to have a good time! 

#7 – Prater

Prater is thought of as the oldest beer garden in Berlin. Even though it may date back many years, this place is still trendy, busy, and lots of fun! Surrounded by chestnut trees and hanging lights, this beer garden is the ideal place  for some drinking festivities. 

Prater is located in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg, a really cool neighborhood for a night out in Berlin! Whether you are after a fun night out, or a relaxing day in the sun with plenty of beer, then Prater is the place to go. 

 

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#8 – Eschenbrau

Eschenbraus is part brewery, part beer garden. Due to its interesting location and unique vibe, this is a must-visit drinking spot in Berlin! Eschenbrau is located in the cellar of an apartment building complex. It may not be the first place you would think of putting a Biergarten, but it works! 

Besides the fun atmosphere, this place has plenty on offer to beer lovers! You can choose between three traditional brews and nine seasonal brews. That’s plenty of beer to keep you busy on a lively day out! 

Best Cocktail Bars in Berlin

Berlin has all kinds of amazing bars on offer, including plenty of excellent cocktail destinations! If you take your drinks seriously and want to sip on some of the best concotions in the city, then here are our top bars to visit. 

#9 – Madame Claude

Madame Claude is definitely one of the more interesting drinking destinations in Berlin. This bar is housed in a former brothel, with a very cozy and warm feel to it. The first thing that you notice when walking in is that the furniture is arranged upside down across the ceiling. This gives the bar a very different feel. 

Besides the unique decor, you can find plenty of quality cocktails on offer here. The bartenders make each drink with real care, which you can slowly sip on in a fun setting. When visiting, be sure to try the Mme. Claude house cocktail.

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#10 – Geist im Glas

This is another industrial, stripped down space with a cosy feel to it. Sitting at Geist im Glas, you are surrounded by candlelight, warmth and friendly chatter. This is one of the more popular and trendy bars in Neukolln.

The main reason to visit Geist im Glas though is for the cocktails. This place serves up some amazing concoctions and interesting combinations. This bar is a real hotspot for any night out in the area. 

 

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#11 – Badfish Bar

There are two different Badfish Bar locations in Berlin – in Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain. Badfish Bar is down to earth, chilled out, and fun for any visitor. The decor is styled around a New York hangout dive bar, but they do things with a certain level of quality.

You can expect excellent cocktails here, along with an impressive selection of whiskey and craft beer. Badfish Bar is all about making drinks the right way, without being pretentious or over the top. 

#12 – Green Door

Visiting Green Door is a truly unique experience. The bar gets its name from the hidden away green door entrance located on Winterfeldplatz. You will first need to ring the doorbell here before entering the bar. 

The decor is quite a lot to take in, with an illuminated dog and interesting wallpaper. The cocktails here are particularly good and are best enjoyed during the daily happy hour from 6 – 8 pm. Be sure to try the champagne based housed cocktail, the Green Door. 

 

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#13 – Tausend Bar 

Tausend is possibly the best cocktail bar Berlin has to offer. This bar is a high-end establishment with super modern decor. Enjoy the mirrored ceiling, giant golden orb, and other futuristic touches found across the bar.

Tausend is the perfect place to enjoy a perfectly mixed cocktail while taking in the unique surrounds. Some nights here can be particularly fun, with a DJ taking to the decks and a bustling vibey atmosphere. 

Best Live Music Bars in Berlin

Berlin is a creative hotspot, full of amazing musicians! No matter what night of the week it may be, there is always going to be a great performance happening somewhere in the city. Here are some of the best live music bars in Berlin. 

#14 – The Hat Bar

The Hat Bar in Berlin specializes in live jazz and a vintage feel. Every night of the week you can find a fantastic band on the stage in the tiny, loungy bar. This is the kind of place where you want to slow down and just enjoy the music. 

Other than the great jazz, there is a solid selection of drinks on offer. The atmosphere here is cozy and inviting, and you could spend hours taking in your surroundings, listening to the music, and enjoying your well-crafted drinks. 

 

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#15 – Junction Bar

Junction Bar features a cellar stage that hosts many amazing performances. You can always find some kind of musical talent here, always with a fun crowd watching the show. The bar itself is subtly lit and focused around the dancefloor. 

Expect to see some of the best live music in Berlin at Junction Bar. This is a comfortable and welcoming environment that anyone looking for a memorable night out can enjoy! 

#16 – Quasimodo

Of all the bars and restaurants in Berlin that offer live music, Quasimodo is one of the best. This jazz bar features dark wooden interiors and black and white photographs along the walls. The restaurant here serves great food, and the bar is also a fun place to hang out and enjoy a few drinks. 

It is the jazz that attracts people to Quasimodo though. This bar has a little stage that is always full of world-class musicians. If you love watching live jazz, and want to do so in a memorable environment, then Quasimodo is the place to go. 

 

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#17 – Yorckschlosschen

Yorckschlosschen is one of the most popular live music bars in Berlin. This lively hangout is such a cool environment to be in, no matter who is one the stage! The decor is bright and eclectic, with a focus around the small stage.

You can always find a great act taking to this stage, with a lively crowd watching on eagerly. There are plenty of small tables to sit at and enjoy a few drinks while you watch the musicians at work. This is an all-round great Berlin bar!

#18 – Piano Bar Van Gogh

Piano Bar Van Gogh is a brilliant live music destination in Berlin. This bar has a real old-world feel to it – something that comes through in the dark wooden bar, mirrors, and warm lighting. In terms of live music, this bar is exactly what the name suggests – a place to hear beautiful piano songs! 

Enjoy the soothing sounds of live piano while you sit at one of the small tables and enjoy a few drinks. This is a fun, social bar with a consistently great atmosphere. 

 

Staying Safe in Berlin

There is no need to worry about your safety when visiting Berlin! The German capital is extremely safe, with very low levels of all types of crime. While you can walk around here freely without any serious concerns, it is important to practice caution as you would in any other major city.

Be wary of any potential petty theft or small crimes. Tourists can be targets for pickpockets or scammers, so keep your wits about you. Also, take caution when walking around at night, or alone. 

Final Thoughts

Berlin is a fantastic destination for any kind of traveler – especially if you enjoy visiting amazing bars! This vibrant city is full of life, something that can be best experienced at the many great drinking establishments found throughout the city.

If you are after a traditional German Biergarten experience, an iconic living-room bar visit, or would like to spend some time at a trendy cocktail bar, Berlin will have plenty of great choices for you! There is such a great amount of amazing bars in this city, and visiting Berlin just wouldn’t be the same without trying a few of them out. 

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