Entertainment in Berlin
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Sage Club
One of the top clubs of the '90s, Sage is still packing its four dance floors with hotties awed by the shimmering pools and fire-breathing dragon. There's live rock on Thursday; funk, soul and hip hop on Fridays; and electronica on Saturdays and Sundays, which get buzziest after the sun's up.
reviewed
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Neuköllner Oper
Definitely not your upper-crust opera house, Neukölln’s refurbished pre-war ballroom has an actively anti-elitist repertoire ranging from intelligent musical theatre to original productions to experimental interpretations of classics. Many pick up on contemporary themes or topics relevant to Berlin.
reviewed
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E&M Leydicke
Old-fashioned Berlin pubs have their own tradition of hospitality - beer, schnapps and the Berliner humour all served up in rustic, smoke-filled surroundings. This ancient example of the species (first lager poured in 1877) bottles its own flavoured schnapps and fruit wines on the premises.
reviewed
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Astro Bar
Get ‘beamed’ into this cosmic lounge where sci-fi fiends from the hood and beyond drown in cheap drinks and long conversations, often until the stars begin to fade. DJs kick into action after 10pm. One of the few respectable spots on this well-trodden party drag.
reviewed
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Habermeyer
Habermeyer isn’t about seeing and being seen – it’s too dark for that. Funky GDR-era furniture, a pinball machine and endearing self-crafted decor (check out the ‘pipe grotto’ out the back) bring in local hipsters who avoid Simon-Dach-Strasse like the plague. DJs hit the decks most nights.
reviewed
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Knaack
This 1952-vintage warren started out as a GDR-era youth club and is still going strong with the youngster set who come to check out up-and-coming indie, punk and rock bands (mostly from Berlin and eastern Germany) or to turn those hormones loose during the dance parties and karaoke nights.
reviewed
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Arena
reviewed
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Ex’n’Pop
The ghosts of Einstürzende Neubauten, Element of Crime and other seminal Berlin bands still may be partying at this rough-house with a pedigree going back to the pre-Wende punk era. Ex has since moved to a new location but is still a good place to pop the last bottle of the night.
reviewed
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Möbel Olfe
An old furniture store has been recast as an always-busy drinking den with cheap libations and a friendly crowd that’s usually mixed but goes predominantly gay on Thursdays. Watch out: the skeletons above the bar get downright trippy after a few Polish beers or vodkas. Enter via Dresdner Strasse.
reviewed
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CSA
This sophisticated bar right on Karl-Marx-Allee has been carved out of the eponymous Czech national airline offices and sports a wonderful 1960s vintage vibe. Dim lights and classic cocktails mean that a more grown-up set balances on the white leather bar stools.
reviewed
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Monster Ronson’s Ichiban Karaoke
Knock back a couple of brewskis if you need to loosen your nerves before belting out your best Britney or Lady Gaga at this mad, great karaoke joint. Pop Idol wannabes can pick from thousands of songs and hit the stage; shy types may prefer music and mischief in a private party room. Some nights are GLBT-geared, like Mondays Multisexual Box Hopping.
reviewed
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Bergstübl
The name implies Alpine cosiness but the only thing southern German about this trashy lounge is the tasty Tannenzäpfle beer from the Black Forest. A boho crowd packs the sofas in winter and the footpath in summer. A good place to go on weekends after the party has stopped elsewhere.
reviewed
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Zum Schmutzigen Hobby
Local trash drag deity Nina Queer presides over this louche den of kitsch and glam with decor, clientele and goings-on that aren't for the faint-of-heart (check out the porno wallpaper in the men's room). On Wednesdays at 9pm it's standing-room only for Nina's 'glamour trivia quiz'.
reviewed
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Haus der Berliner Festspiele
A heavyweight among Berlin’s many multidiscipline venues. While its 1951 building lacks the historic splendour of Berlin’s other concert halls, it hosts just about every major arts festival, such as Jazzfest Berlin and Theatertreffen.
reviewed
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Bundespressestrand
Sure, it's expensive and deluged with tourists, but if you happen to be in this area on a sunny day, this sandy bar with wicker chairs, kiddie corner and power view isn't a bad spot to give your feet a rest. There's food and special events like salsa parties or barbecue cook-offs.
reviewed
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Strandbar Mitte
With a full-on view of the Bodemuseum, palm trees and a relaxed ambience, this riverside playground is great for balancing a surfeit of sightseeing stimulus with a revivifying drink. After 7pm there's dancing under the stars with tango, cha cha, waltz and salsa.
reviewed
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Solar
The door's tight, service slow and the cocktails only so-so but the views - oh, the views - really are worth the vertigo-inducing trip aboard an exterior glass lift to this 17th-floor Manhattan wannabe. The entrance is off-street in an ugly high-rise behind the Pit Stop auto shop.
reviewed
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A-Trane
Herbie Hancock and Diana Krall have anointed the stage of this intimate jazz club, but mostly it’s emerging talent bringing their A-game to the A-Trane. Entry is free on Monday when local boy Andreas Schmidt shows off his skills, and after 12.30am on Saturday for the late-night jam session.
reviewed
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Druide
With 300 cocktails, 100 different types of absinthe (supposedly the largest number in Europe) and DJs at weekends, there’s plenty to make you sink into Druide’s chintzy sofas, but little to get you up and out again, especially during happy hours (6pm to 9pm, and midnight to 2am).
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Galerie Bremer
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.
reviewed
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Kptn A Müller
Arrgh, matey, the captain’s in town, bringing much-needed relief from the strip's cookie-cutter cocktail lounge circuit. Pretensions are checked at the door of this self-service joint where drinks are cheap and table football and wi-fi free. The Matterhorn photo wallpaper in the DJ room out back makes for an easy conversation starter.
reviewed
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Cinemaxx Potsdamer Platz
This state-of-the-art megacomplex, part of a national chain, is the primary venue of the Berlinale international film festival. There are up to 20 movies on the programme at any given time here, and the big releases are often shown in their original language.
reviewed
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Quasimodo
One of Berlin's oldest jazz clubs has diversified its programming and now also pulls in fans of blues, rock, soul, funk and motown acts to its intimate cellar space with a low ceiling and black walls. If that gets too claustrophobic, escape to the upstairs cafe, in summer with outside terrace. Wednesday's jam sessions are free.
reviewed
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Felix Clubrestaurant
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).
reviewed
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Columbiahalle
Just opposite Tempelhof airport, this unfancy former American military sports centre hosts up to 3500 fans for everything from international artists to punk festivals and metal gigs. Next door, the smaller Columbia Club in a former cinema is more geared towards party nights.
reviewed