Why relationships are off the menu in Berlin
Mature partygoers book a table at its upstairs restaurant, though leaving the dancefloor before 6am is not the done thing. A refreshing al fresco option for singles in Berlin is sightseeing on a bike.
Underground, avant-garde, and progressive — there are many words to describe the club scene in. True to the Berlinische insistence of relaxation, it's an understated, marginal kind of place where clubbers hang out on post-party weekend mornings or afternoons.
Why relationships are off the menu in Berlin - Hebbel am Ufer is actually a fusion of three different theatres in Kreuzberg, providing a space for younger, more experimental work ranging from drama, music, dance, talks and a strong cultural outreach programme.
Barbie Deinhoff's With charismatic customers clad in studded jockstraps and gimp masks, it's safe to say that Barbie Deinhoff's attracts people of all persuasions. Sophisticated, ruby-lipped cross-dressers rub shoulders — and other body parts — with louche local artists and intellectuals, while students lap up the raucous atmosphere and cheap prices. Run by celebrity drag queen Lena Braun, this bright pink Barbie-themed boozer remains one of Berlin's top spots for a fun and debauchery-filled evening. As if the camp, carefree atmosphere wasn't enough, there's also a 2-for-1 happy hour everyday from 6pm-9pm on weeknights and from 4pm on weekends. Open daily 6pm-6am Die Weinerei Die Weinerei Some call it naive, others say it's the embodiment of Berlin's liberal charm. Either way, the honours system at the Weinerei gets people talking. After you've had your fill, you leave as much or as little money as you like in the tips jar. It's a novel concept, and one that could easily be abused, but the trusting atmosphere and the quaint charm of the surroundings have the effect of restoring people's moral sense, with some customers leaving more money than they would normally pay for a few glasses of wine. This 24-hour dive bar has an anarchic vibe and remains one of the few gritty establishments in the rapidly-gentrified Graefekiez. Hardened daytime drinkers and older locals prop up the bar. The decor is as interesting as the storytelling clientele, with an assortment of objects apparently superglued to the ceiling. Due to the cheap prices and 24-hour opening, the bar attracts a few post-party ravers, making for some mind-boggling conversations at all hours of the day. Open 24 hours Kptn. A Müller Photograph: Nestled among tourist traps and cocktail lounges in Friedrichshain, this intimate bar has retained its low prices and living-room vibe. DJs spin ambient beats and electro jazz, while locals lap up the opportunity to play free table-football. The bar's charm lies in the fact it doesn't try too hard. Faded East German wallpaper and old pictures of ocean liners make up the minimalist interior, which exudes cool and instant comfort. Even if you don't understand what the characters are saying, it's entertaining to watch the clientele get swept up in the drama. Open daily from 6pm-4am Das Hotel Das Hotel A bit like Berlin itself, Das Hotel is romantic in a ramshackle sort of way. Large candles melt into messy wax sculptures around the room, battered old pianos double as tables and absinthe-sipping poet types mingle in dimly lit corners. Although the bar attracts a mainly arty crowd, it's still essentially a friendly neighbourhood joint due to its location on the otherwise quiet Mariannenstrasse. Despite being undoubtedly hip, it also welcomes a host of beer-chugging Berliners who'll knock the pretension out of most people with the quick clink of a mug. Open daily from 4pm Soju Bar Soju Bar Soju — that highly drinkable and deceptively strong Korean liquor — forms the base of most cocktails and long drinks at this stylish micro-bar in Kreuzberg. Owned by the mogul behind the esteemed Korean restaurant next door, Soju Bar imitates the streets of Seoul remarkably well. The stark concrete tiles and flickering neon signs lend the room a subtle sense of Asian flair and sophistication. DJs regularly spin deep house, soul and minimal techno, but if you don't like the music you can take refuge in the karaoke toilet, where you can sing your heart out to 80s pop hits while going about your business. Tucked away beneath the train tracks at Bahnhof Friedrichstrasse, the iron door at the entrance doesn't reflect the space-age decor inside. Curved glass sculptures, shiny steel walls and elevated seating areas provide the backdrop for film-makers, models and other pretty young things as they sip cocktails to ambient house music. Part of the bar's appeal is that it all feels a bit secretive, making for a titillating atmosphere that lends itself to hedonistic fun. It has room for more than 600 people, and the murmur of chatter between tourists, locals and beer aficionados adds to the pleasant atmosphere of a sunny afternoon. The Prater Pils — its home-brewed nectar — is the most popular choice but dark beers from around Germany are also available. If the weather is bad, there's an indoor beer hall and adjoining restaurant with traditional German fare such as goulash and Wiener schnitzel. Open April-September daily from noon Bar 3 Photograph: B A stone's throw from the Volksbühne and a host of independent art galleries, Bar 3 primarily attracts artists, critics and curators. The slightly austere interior is brought to life by well-lubricated creatives as they launch into impassioned conversations about conceptual contemporary culture and the like. As they mingle against the backdrop of a spacious horseshoe-shaped bar, the animated interaction between customers could quite easily be a piece of performance art. While it all might sound a tad pretentious, the inebriated state of most people makes for a warm and welcoming atmosphere on most nights of the week. Restaurant open Tues-Sat from 7pm, bar from 9pm-late Luzia Photograph: Swarming with stylish patrons who mingle amid clouds of smoke, Luzia is one of the more popular bars on Oranienstrasse and has an outdoor terrace that overlooks the bustling street scene. Inside, the large industrial space is crammed with velvet armchairs, mismatched tables and vintage wallpaper that flakes off to reveal rustic red bricks. A close inspection of the rooms reveals meticulous attention to design details; lamps are perfectly placed to shed warm light onto subtle wall paintings by renowned local street artist Chin Chin. It all makes for a refined yet laid-back atmosphere.
Extremely liberal, disorientating, brutal and beautiful all at once, Berghain remains justifiably popular, and comes close to the no-holds-barred European berlin singles scene that American film producers dream of. East and West Berlin were both awash with state subsidies in a bid to demonstrate the cultural supremacy of prime and capitalist philosophy. The Kottywood party is a popular go-to for gays and lesbians looking to cap a Friday night grinding to Latin, retro and pop music. Still going strong, and with no sign of betraying its highly-politicized origins, SO36 is suitably scummy inside, with decades of sweat, vodka and blood ingrained into the woodwork. If you are lucky enough to get in, enjoy and stay for a while. Due to the attention brought on by the single, wider release offers were made by larger record labels for Pleasure Victim.