Mitte in Berlin

Comprehensive guide to Berlin Germany with information on Mitte.

Clubs

Kreuzberg

Mitte

Prenzlauer Berg

Schöneberg

Friedrichshain

Live Music

Events

The district of choice for chic Berliners (the ones not wearing black or ripped clothing), kunst cognoscenti, global hipsters, and of course tourists of any ilk. People-watching is a sport on Oranienburgerstrasse, but be prepared for the odd condescending stare if your fashion sense is not up to scratch, particularly in the Hackescher Markt area. Mitte is the new face of the former east, and is trying a little too hard to be what eastern Berlin is not, or at least never was. This area hosts the highest density of clubs in the city, which luckily cater to a wider market than the pretentious bar goers.

Acud

Veteranenstraße 21, 10119 Berlin - Mitte | Tel: 44 35 94 97, Fax: no fax | U8 Rosentaler Platz, Bus N8, Tram 50 | Times: Daily from about 21:00

map:

This cultural centre in Mitte was there at the start of the Berlin cultural revolution. Comprising a theatre, cinema, cafes, clubs and a healthy splash of culture, (including art exhibitions) this place is only cool depending on your standpoint on the "Evil Tyranny of Consumerism" debate. Don´t expect to see too many pair of sunglasses strategically positioned on the tops of patrons' heads. Drum 'n' bass, reggae and hip-hop are on offer every week and those with preferences of less mainstream music shouldn´t be disappointed. At the moment the centre is facing eviction unless funds can be raised to purchase the building which, incidentally, needs a good lick of paint.

Delicious Doughnuts

map:

The sound system and smallish dance-floor leave something to be desired, but the lighting is profound: dark, with a bluish rim coming from...somewhere. Hang out in the front side-room to chat, or cozy up with your friends on the curved couches lining the back. Patrons are young, but relatively sophisticated: think, in this connection, black mock-turtlenecks and slacks. Music ranges from lounge to house, with some salsa beats thrown in for good measure. The bartenders are professional, the atmosphere is groomed - this is no dive. But don´t hesitate to request your favorite tunes from the deejays, who also appear to have a good time.

Im Eimer

Rosenthaler Straße 68, 10117 Berlin - Mitte | Tel: 282 2074, Fax: no fax | U8 Rosenthalerplatz, Bus N8 | Times: Fri & Sat 23:00 | Price: approx. € 8 -10

map:

Another classic example of a post-wall squat-come-club. It´s a wonder that this place has a telephone as that would, surely, represent too much of a tangible connection to the outside world. One wonders if the readings and theatrical performances found in the hidden corners of this post-apocalyptic maze have any relevance to the mostly renovated Mitte. The badly graffitied interior looks as if it kept the local spray can shop in business for the last ten years. Evenings here are usually to the sound of some hybrid of techno/dance. It would be advisable to go and have a look at it before it gets turned into a Sushi Bar.

Kurvenstar

map:

Youthful b-boys come here for the comforting vibe of partially underground hip-hop, past and present. The club is nicely cut into a large front bar, a lounge-style middle room and a good-sized dance floor in back. Funky interior, funky people. Go early for a great hamburger or miso soup, and you can avoid the bouncer who starts checking threads at around 11. What are those threads? New filas, clean black levis, and some of those big, stylish headphones. The service is friendly, as is the crowd: sweet kids who like to chill out after a bout of skate-boarding.

Pfefferbank

www.pfefferbank.de
Schönhauser Allee 176, 10119 Berlin - Mitte | U2 Senerfelder Platz Bus: N52 | Tickets: € 10 - 25.

map:

One of Berlin´s smallest clubs, the atmosphere in this former safe building can be electric, as long as you can tolerate the stifling humidity. If arriving after midnight you are likely to encounter a gaggle of sweaty partygoers in the street, desperate to get a breath of air. Friday night is Discount Club night, with the opportunity to hear some of Berlin´s finest techno DJs for the reasonable price of DM15. The club strives to keep away the largely underaged techno kids who have the run of many similar venues, and maintain a more mature clientele (who are more likely to spend cash on pricey drinks). Music on offer is mainly a mixture of techno, electro and drum n´ bass, with the odd hip hop or reggae night thrown in for good measure.

Pfefferberg

www.pfefferberg.de
Schönhauser Allee 176 , 10117 Berlin - Mitte | Tel: 44 38 31 10, Fax: no fax | U2 Senerfelder Platz Bus N52 | Tickets: € 15 - 30

map:

Although neighbours, the Pfefferbank is to the Pfefferberg as chalk is to cheese. Those who dread the claustrophobia of the former will be delighted by the open layout of the latter, where many events spill over into the large outside garden in the summer months. The Pfefferberg is more than the average Berlin club - it also serves as a venue for cultural events and live music whilst maintaining its reputation as "in". Events here can be anything from live dance displays, poetry reading and classical music to jazz, reggae or electronic parties.

Roter Salon

map:

Hip, but not pretentious. Order a Budwar at the red bar lined with Soviet memorabilia, then glide into a red plush armchair to enjoy the scene bathed in red light. Yes, there is a theme to this place. Usually a drum-'n'-bass or salsa joint, the Salon is also a hot spot for concerts: bubblegum punk and occasionally trip-hop ... check Zitty or Tip for the weekly musical line-up. A laid-back crowd consisting mostly of mods (you know - Brits with sideburns) and Northern Soulers. Highly recommended.

Sage-Club

www.sage-club.de
office@sage-club.de
Köpenicker Straße 78, 10179 Berlin - Mitte/Kreuzberg | Tel: 278 50 52, Fax: 278 50 52 | U8 Heinrich-Heine Straße | Times: Thu-Sun 22:00 | Entry € 10 - 25

map:

Nice fancy interior. Nice fancy clothes. Nice fancy music... Housey / garage / old school music fans will have a ball. Some say it has a high opinion of itself but, in reality, it´s not that offensive. If the glare of your co-patrons clothes are dazzling you too much, you can always go and have a nice seat in the garden out the back. If you´re still not sure, why not try the less pretentious Thursday night when rock music is on the menu.

Schokoladen

Ackerstraße 169-170, 10099 Berlin - Mitte | Tel: 282 6527, Fax: no fax | U8 Rosenthaler Platz | Times: daily from 20:00 | Entry: cheap or nothing

map:

This is not everybody´s scene but if you fancy hearing some poetry or experimenting with a style of music with which you´re not yet familiar, get on down here and have a cheap drink with a cross-section of Berlin students and art teachers. Every night will be different and some more different than others. It must have something going for it as it always gets some sort of a crowd and it´s been in existence for some time. Situated in the old ZAR chocolate factory (hence the name) but you wouldn´t know to look at the place.

Sternradio

www.sternradio-berlin.de
sternradio@no-ufos.de
Alexanderplatz 5, 10178 Berlin - Mitte | Tel: 247 24 98 2, Fax: 247 24 98 1 | S+U Alexanderplatz | Tickets: € 15 - 30

map:

Tucked away in the heart of concrete Alexanderplatz, Sternradio consistently offers the hottest line up of Berlin DJs on the market. Ranging from banging techno on the highly respected No Ufos nights to cracking drum n´ bass for Hardeged, the club has provided a home for many events in Berlin that have previously floated around numerous venues. The question is; why? What is it that draws these already successful events to plant roots in a small, stuffy, sterile club with all the atmosphere of a plush hotel bathroom? Even the white tiled walls in the cramped bar area are reminiscent of the lavs in the Grand Royal. Still, it seems that someone high up in Sternradio promotions is very well connected, and the club will be pulling in the yuppie crowd for at least the forseeable future. For music-heads the bill - which repeatedly boasts respected DJs such as Woody and Storm - means that the club has a pull that may prove hard to resist, but prepare to be disappointed if you´re looking to go crazy on the dance floor. Everyone else will be trying to keep their hairstyles in place.

Subground

www.subground.de
Schönhauser Allee 176, 10117 Berlin - Mitte | U2 Senerfelder Platz. Bus: N52 |

map:

The third in the cluster block of the Schönhauser Allee neighbourhood, Subground is the grittiest of the Pfeffer trio. Another venue that would seriously benefit from an improved ventilation system, the club hosts mainly techno and trance parties, such as the hippy haven Pan Connection that takes place the first Friday of every month. Psychedelic images and a "Space Bar" selling naturally hallucinogenic products create a trippy feeling that is nothing compared to the "unique" dance moves of some of the patrons, but at least it makes a change to the mechanical robo dance for which Berliners are renowned.

Dolmen Club

Schönhauser Allee 6/7, 10178 Berlin - Mitte | Tel: 440 60 26, Fax: no fax | U2 Rosa Luxembourg Platz, N52 | Price: usually DM5-10. | Times: Wed, Fri, Sat at about 23:00.

map:

Situated in the Sean Og cellar, here you will experience a really anglo-celtic club experience combined with very bad German dancing. An army of youths in Murphy's T-Shirts (or was it Guinness) will be happy to serve you with a stuck-on smile, and a host of your fellow German co-patrons will be glad to step on your feet as they attempt to express their emotions to Pulp or Blur. Although not at the cutting edge of the Berlin social scene, you know exactly what you are going to get before you pay your entrance money.

Pavillon am Weinbergsweg

Veteranenstrasse 9, 10119 Berlin - Mitte | Tel: 449 5973, Fax: no fax | U8 Rosenthalerplatz | Located in Volkspark am Weinberg

map:

Planted in the middle of Mitte's Volkspark, Pavillon looks not unlike a disused scout hall in a satellite town. Inside it's not much better, being very much your common or garden disco set-up circa 1990: black couches perimetering the dancefloor, a bar at the back, and a few disinterested types sipping at their drinks. That said, what the place lacks in aesthetic glamour it makes up for in good old-fashioned unpretentious shake appeal. Expect a pot pourri of Deep Funk, Funky Soul and New York Boogaloo from the likes of Soulpusher and Boogaloo Pussycat. Videos and slide projections from 1970's blaxploitation and sex flicks as one might expect. A word to the wise though, the admission price remains the same at the end of the night as it is at the beginning. Hmm.

Tresor

www.tresor-berlin.de
club@tresor-berlin.de
Leipziger Str. 126a, Berlin - Mitte | Tel: 229 06 11, Fax: no fax | U + S Potsdamer Platz Bus: N52, 84 | Prices: 10 Æ 20DM dependant on guests etc. | Times: Wed, Fri, Sat 23.00-

map:

Opened in March 1991, this ex-safe of the Wertheim department store quickly rose to cult status. Tresor has its own label, acts and catalogue of merchandise, with the club being only part of the business. Although managing to retain a reputation with fans of techno across the world, you may hear from people who have seen the place develop over the years that it has lost some of its appeal. Downstairs in the basement (Tresor itself), you can still see the rusty remains of the old safety deposit boxes. Iron bar gates and bare brick walls (which seem to be typical for this kind of club devised in East Berlin in the early nineties) create the necessary ambience for listening to some of the best techno on offer in Berlin. Few seem to agree as the place never seems to be full and the patrons are either groups of sportily clad youngsters or tourists there to experience the Tresor brand just once. Upstairs, Globus offers some relief from the brain damage below by playing some lighter records and outside in the garden, a tranquil world can be found under the branches of the trees. Although the lure of the music should be enough, a visit in the near future would be encouraged as the looming figure of Potsdamer Platz hints that a location change may be imminent.

WMF

Ziegelstr. 23, 10117 Berlin - Mitte | Tel: 28 87 88 90, Fax: no fax | S+U Friedrichstr |

The Dr. Who of Berlin clubs. After four changes of address and transmogrifications WMF is now situated in Ziegelstrasse in an old Post Office building, the original having been a metal factory in Mauerstrasse. Intent on being at the forefront of the clubbing experience, the large dancefloor is accompanied by video screens and light installations which prove to be unnecessary distractions. The Shiny Trainer Brigade should feel at home. Open all week with a different feel to the music every night. Drinks are ridiculously expensive. Sunday night is the famous and highly popular GMF gay night.

Kaffee Burger

map:

If you are looking for something more off the beaten track, it's worth checking out the program at Kaffee Burger. This former brothel is now owned by 3 artists and has a varied program to match their interests. There is something on every night ranging from literary events to rock 'n' roll discos. Although only opened last December, it already manages to attract a large and mixed crowd. No need to feel uncomfortable in this very unpretentious pub-like venue. People are more likely to be dancing on the tables than standing around looking cool. A refreshing change for Mitte.