Berlin Mitte

Bang Bang Club, Neue Promenade 10 (www.bangbangclub.net), Hiding beneath the S-bahn tracks in groovy, smoky caverns of arched brick, the Bang Bang club plays it cool without being snooty. Weave through the tight hallways and dance the night away with Berliners. S5, S7, S9, S75: Hackescher Markt. U. Admission free-€20. Usually open F-Sa 10pm-late. Check website for details. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Cookies, Friedrichstr. 158 (www.cookies-berlin.de), Hot, sweaty, sexy, and packed, Cookies jams in a former Stasi bunker that operates as a restaurant during the day. Locals claim that this party originally started in some guy's basement before moving to hip venues. The party don't start till 1am, so save your tears if you show up alone at midnight. Entrance can be a little exclusive—don't dress up, dress down—so it helps if you know the name of the DJ playing that night. U6: Französische Str. From the U-bahn, head north. Admission €5-15. Club open Tu 10:30pm-6am, Th 10:30pm-6am. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Kaffee Burger, Torstr. 58-60 (www.kaffeeburger.de), Those looking to groove can jam at this artsy dance club while those looking to chill can hop next door to the”Burger Bar.” Despite looking a little like your grandma's living room, things get wild here later in the evenings. Weekly programs include poetry readings, film screenings, and drunken sloppiness. U6: Rosa-Luxemburg-Pl. Cover M-Th €1, F-Sa €5, Su €1. Open M-F 8pm-late, Sa 9pm-late, Su 7pm-late. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Clarchens Ballhaus, Auguststr. 24 (www.ballhaus.de), For travelers who enjoy the type of dancing that gets worse as the night wears on, this 1930s-style ballroom has cha cha, salsa, and other programs Mondays through Thursdays and Sundays. Friday and Saturday see DJs playing “hipper” music. Come early for a drink in the beautiful patio garden. U8: Rosenthaler Pl.‎ M-Tu, Su programs €8, students €6, F-Sa €3. Open daily 10am-late. Dance programs start at 8pm. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Week-End, Alexanderpl. 5 Not the cheapest place in the world, but the only experience of its kind in Berlin. Come for good music and the chance to see the sun rise over the city from Berlin's only real skyscraper. A night you'll remember. U6: Alexandr Pl. Admission €10-20. Open F-Su 11pm-late. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
8mm Bar, Schönhauser Allee 177 (www.8mmbar.com), A dimly lit, low-key hipster bar where you can chat about how ironic you are or just play a round of pool, just 'cause. Crowd levels vary randomly, but when it's bustling, it's bustling. U2: Senefelderpl. Beer €2.50-6. Mixed drinks €4-7. Open M-Th 8pm-late. F-Su 9pm-late. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Kit Kat Club, Köpenicker Str. 76 (www.kitkatclub.org), A visit here is an unforgettable experience. Everyone is decked out in straps, chaps, and leather. If you're scared of penises, don't come. U8: Heinrich Heinestr. Fetish dress code strictly enforced. Admission €5-10. Open F-Sa (sometimes Su) 11pm-late. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Zapata, Oranienburger Str. 54 (www.cafe-zapata.de), The hippest of the bars at Tacheles, Zapata has parties every night of the week with some of the biggest DJs in town. Anyone trying to keep it “clean” and “tame” should definitely stay home, as Zapata's crowd spills into the attached faux-beach, and dirt and broken glass become as much a part of the experience as the music and the dancing. The outdoor sculpture garden bores images into your mind that may never leave. Guests willing to climb can enjoy cocktails from on top of a forklift. U6: Oranienburger Tor. Admission €5-10. Club open daily 10pm-late. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Delicious Doughnuts, Rosenthaler Straße 9 (www.delicious-doughnuts.de), No, it's not a donut shop. Yes, it's a hip backpacker hangout. Not tons of room to dance here, but plenty of room to relax, talk, drink, and smoke. If your friends are boring, you can escape to the pinball machine. A small steel ball is friend enough for anyone. U8: Roenthaler Pl. Cover €5-10. Open daily 10pm-late. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Tape, Heidestr. 14 (www.tapeberlin.de), The huge open spaces of this converted warehouse keep it cool when the party gets hot. And it does frequently. Party starts (and goes) very late. U8: Rosenthaler Pl. Admission varies. Open F-Sa 11pm-late. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
CCCP Klub, Torstr. 136 (www.cojito.de/cccpclubbar.5653.htm), This Soviet-themed bar shows off a bunch of communist relics including flags, maps, and a stuffed badger, undoubtedly of the communist persuasion. Down drinks at the perfect bar and show Richard Nixon who's boss. Unfortunately, the drinks are not provided free according to need, but the downstairs club does feel unpretentious and of the people. U8: Rosenthaler Pl. Cover varies with party. Open Tu-Th 6pm-late, F-Sa 10pm-late. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.