(pick up a copy of EXBERLINER magazine to see what’s on)
Bang Bang Club
A refreshingly rough little rock club in an overly polished part of Mitte. Their smart booking policies - most local and international indie acts - and fine sound system ensure a full-house most nights. It’s located in a dark, cave-like railway arch beneath Hackescher Markt S-Bahn station, so getting home after a late show is less of a problem. Neue Promenade 10, Mitte, Tel 030 604 053 10, www.bangbang-club.de
Bar 25
Ranch & Bar 25 is a candelabra-clad barn that somehow works as an amazingly atmospheric Spree-side retreat. Tucked away behind an intimidating barbed-wire fence, this polished jewel is sure to make you feel less hip and groovy (and leave you significantly less wealthy) than its staff and patrons. But don’t get uncomfortable; just enjoy the excellent service and fine food. Holzmarktstr. 25, S-Bhf Ostbahnhof, Tel 01577 1530425, www.bar25.de, Tue-Sat 18:00-1:00, main courses 15-25 euros, cash only
Berghain/Panorama Bar
Techno heaven in a former power station. Fri/Sat from midnight, sometimes Thursdays.
Am Wriezener Bahnhof, S-Bhf Ostbahnhof, www.berghain.de
KitKatClub
Legendary club for boys and girls behaving badly. Naughty/cheeky dress code usual - or no clothes at all, so be prepared to take something off. The club recently moved to the Sage Club in Mitte. The new address is: Köpenicker Str. 76, (Entrance Brückenstrasse), Mitte, www.kitkatclub.de
Maria
Huge underground club with regular guest DJs playing techno, house and dance. Main nights are Friday from 10pm, Saturday from 11pm.
An der Schillingsbrücke, Friedrichshain, near Ostbahnhof station, www.clubmaria.de
Matrix
Every night of the week save Sunday there’s a party going on here. Each night has a different musical flavour, but generally dance, soul from across the decades on several floors. Warschauer Platz 18, Friedrichshain, Tel 030 29 36 99 90, U+S-Bhf Warschauer Str. , www.matrix-berlin.de
Sage Club
Trendy with three dancefloors and a small outdoor swimming pool makes you feel like an extra in a pop video. Techo, R&B, hip hop. Brückenstr. 1, Mitte, U-Bhf. Heinrich-Heine-Strasse, www.sage-club.de
Soda
Large nightspot in a former brewery with different music every night of the week and packed at weekends.
39 Schönhauser Alle, Prenzlauer Berg, U-Bhf Eberswalder Str., www.soda-berlin.de
Steinhaus
Centrally located club for dependable, unpretentious partying with 80s, 90s and hip hop nights dispersed over the month. Friday is ladies night.
Straßburger Str. 55, Prenzlauer Berg, U-Bhf Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, Tel 030 44 18 221, www.steinhaus-berlin.de
Watergate
Electronic dance beats in a classy but unpretentious club with a view over the Spree. Falckensteinstr. 49, Kreuzberg, U-Bhf Schlesisches Tor,.
Open Wed, Fri and Sat, sometimes Thurs. www.water-gate.de
Weekend
Born of the famous roving F.U.N. party, Weekend is unquestionably the club of the moment. Frequented by fashionable Berliners in their 20s and 30s, Weekend kicks off from Thursdays to Saturdays.
Take lift to 12th Floor, 5 Alexanderplatz, Mitte, www.week-end-berlin.de
White Trash
The home of rock’n'roll in Berlin offering three floors of bad taste, American diner food and great partying. Schönhauser Allee 6-7, Mitte, U-Bhf Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. Mon-Sun 6pm until very late. www.whitetrashfastfood.com