20 Things To Do In Berlin At Night

Berlin, Germany’s capital city, comes to life when the sun sets. The city is famous worldwide for its nightlife, pub culture and beer. Berlin is one of only a few cities with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some of these sites have exclusive openings during the evenings to show off these historic locations in a new light and reveal hidden secrets.

Berlin has more than 150 theatres making catching an evening performance a great option. Museums also often stay open later in the evening, with many closing their doors around 8 pm. And some museums, like those on Museum Island, also have exclusive tours, talks and events after the doors have closed. In October, the annual Berlin Illuminated and Festival of Lights is dazzling. Many of the city’s famous buildings put on light shows, and light art and installations cover the city.

Berlin has a fantastic range of restaurants for those looking for a quiet evening. As the city is the most multicultural in Germany, expect a wide variety of delicacies on the menu in cafes, restaurants and food stands. There are also over 100 vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants in the city, making it inclusive for all tastes and diets. There are many things to do in Berlin, whatever your tastes, both during the day and in Berlin at night. Here are our top 20.

Berlin At Night

20 Things To Do In Berlin At Night

1- Berlin Ice Bar Experience 

Berlin’s Ice Bar is a must-visit bar during your stay in the German capital.

On entering, guests are given thermal clothing to wear, and everything in the bar is made entirely of ice, from the seats and tables to the bar and even the glasses your drinks arrive in.

Throughout the bar are dramatic ice sculptures where vodka, gin, or drinks from Arctic countries such as Greenland are poured through to chill them thoroughly before drinking.

Due to the size of the bar, only 10 guests at a time can be in the bar, so booking tickets in advance is essential.

Book your tickets for the Berlin Icebar Experience.

Your booking includes a welcome drink, two additional drinks served in a glass of ice, and a warm jacket and gloves to wear during your visit. Soft drinks are also available.

Berlin’s Ice Bar is open from Wednesday to Sunday (5 pm until midnight) at Spandauer Straße 2, 10178 Berlin.

2- See Berlin’s Landmarks On A Boat Cruise 

The River Spree winds across 400 kilometres (250 miles), and is the main river in Berlin.

Explore a small stretch of this magnificent river through the centre of Berlin in a 2.5-hour boat trip.

The boat trip will guide you past some of the most famous sights in Berlin, with a knowledgeable guide providing information and facts about each attraction passed.

You will see the government district, Bellevue Palace and Museum Island from the water.

You can purchase advance tickets on an evening cruise and board your boat tour along the River Spree from Friedrichstraße.

3- See The Sights On an Evening Sightseeing Tour By Bus 

For those looking for a relaxing evening while still making the most of the city, hop on an evening sightseeing tour bus.

On this 45-minute journey around some of Berlin’s most popular sights, passengers can see the capital light up for the evening and become immersed in the history behind them.

The tour includes an audio guide in multiple languages to ensure all visitors can make the most of the time.

By taking a nighttime tour, fewer tourists and less traffic allow the city’s beauty to shine through.

The tour takes in Alexanderplatz, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Museum Island and Potsdamer Platz, all lit up.

You can purchase tickets for the bus tour in advance here. 

4- Try dinner in the dark at Unsicht-Bar 

Berlin has one of the best restaurants from a wide range of European cultures.

This unique restaurant, however, removes one key factor many take for granted when enjoying a new dish; sight.

Unsicht-Bar heightens your senses whilst removing your sight.

To help you through this new culinary experience is your trustworthy guide, who is on hand throughout your meal to help you with anything you need.

The guides working in the restaurant are blind or visually impaired.

External stimuli such as lights, screens and other visuals are removed to allow the diner to focus on what they can taste, touch and smell.

Book tickets for a three-course dinner with wine and enjoy a unique experience at Unsicht-Bar (Saarbrücker Str. 36-38, 10405 Berlin).

5- Explore Berlin’s Medieval History On A Mysterious Dark Ages Walking Tour 

Unlike traditional walking tours or ghost walks, Berlin offers something a little bit different for visitors wanting to discover the city’s secrets.

Berlin: Mysterious Dark Ages Walking Tour takes visitors into the city’s history during the Middle Ages.

As your guide leads you around modern-day Berlin, you will be immersed in tales of myths and legends, witch hunts and torture in true Middle Ages style.

Your guide will lead you to sites such as Alexanderplatz, also known as the Devil’s Pleasure Garden, and explore the Germanic approach to witch-hunts.

Tickets for the Berlin: Mysterious Dark Ages Walking Tour are very reasonable if you’re on a budget and tours start in front of Commerzbank, opposite the Alexanderplatz S-bahn station.

6- Explore Berlin’s Haunted Places

Few European cities do not offer a ghost walk when the sun sets, and Berlin is no different.

Setting out the city’s dark and terrifying secrets and history is a live theatrical performance leading you through Berlin’s streets to some of its more unknown and grizzly sites.

Listen to your creepy costumed guide share tales about a murderer who turned his victims into tinned food and become absorbed in a hauntingly good tale about a cursed mummy.

Find out more about this haunted tour of Berlin and reserve your tickets here. The tour group meets in front of Klosterruine at the subway station U Klosterstraße.

7- Relax At Liquidrom

For a more unusual evening out, head to Liquidrom, a futuristic spa that merges holistic therapies with techno music.

The building in which Liquidrom is located was designed to resemble an abstract tent.

The building was built during World War II (which you can find out more about on this tour) and served as a large train station.

Liquidrom is open into the evening and offers a range of treatments, saunas and baths, however, the biggest allure of this spa is its large saltwater floating pool.

The pool is surrounded by large arches and is dimly lit, allowing the colourful lights and music to take over the experience.

The music varies from classical to techno and can be heard from under the water.

Liquidrom is at 10 Möckernstraße, Berlin 10963.

8- Go On A Dinner Cruise At Sunset 

A dinner cruise is a relaxing way to see the city from the water in a luxurious fashion.

Most serve a welcome drink is served on arrival as you get settled in.

As you sail along the River Spree, diners are served a four-course meal of German cuisine with complimentary wine and beer.

Throughout the cruise, your guide will share facts about important sites you pass, such as the Reichstag Building and Museum Island, as well as other famous sights close to the river.

Book your tickets in advance here.

Capital Dinner Cruise at Sunset with Sightseeing of Berlin is at Schiffsanlegestelle Caprivibrücke, Wintersteinstraße 24, 10587, Berlin.

9- Dine And Dance At Clärchens Ballhaus

Clärchens Ballhaus has been entertaining Berliners since 1913.

Clara Bühler, alongside her husband Fritz, opened Clärchens Ballhaus as a go-to location for Berliners outside of high society to dance the night away.

Since its opening, Clärchens has served delicious dinners and put on lively performances from live bands with plenty of dancing.

During hectic periods, servers carry trays of dishes above their heads as they dance through the crowds.

Clärchens is the last remaining ball house from the 20th century.

Check out their Hall of Mirrors, which has been preserved in its original state.

Clärchens Ballhaus is at Auguststraße 24, 10117, Berlin.

10- Admire The View From Bar 203

Located in the tallest building in Berlin, the TV Tower, Bar 203 is a must-visit for an evening out in Berlin.

The bar sits below the restaurant at 203m (666ft) above the streets below and has panoramic views across the city.

Its spacious and modern design lets visitors fully absorb the views rotating past them.

The bar makes a 360-degree rotation every 30 minutes, offering plenty to see across the city as it lights up for the night.

Bar 203 is at Panoramastrasse 1A Fernsehturm, 10178, Berlin.

11- Listen To Music At Quasimodo

Quasimodo opens as a cafe at 5 pm every evening, serving a range of coffees. An excellent patio provides a relaxing space to unwind after a busy day of work or exploration.

After 9 pm, Quasimodo opens its cellar, where a famous jazz club has live performances of jazz, soul, funk and blues, starting at 10 pm.

Quasimodo is at Kantstr. 12a, Charlottenburg, 10623, Berlin.

12- Stargaze At Wilhelm-Foerster-Sternwarte

At the foot of a hill, the Planatarium am Insulaner is famous for its large artificial starry sky, 360-degree shows about the universe and live lectures.

The planetarium is usually packed with tourists and locals seeking to learn more about the universe, however, it is during its exclusive evening sessions that the planetarium unveils more of its secrets.

Head to the observatory during one of their evening sessions to learn more about the sky above us and what it holds before seeing the magnificence of the universe through the observatory’s telescopes.

Stargazing at Wilhelm-Foerster-Sternwarte Observatory is at Munsterdamm 90, 12169, Berlin. Admission to the planetarium starts at €12.

13- Enjoy An Evening In Charlottenburg Palace

Charlottenburg Palace was named in honour of the first Queen consort in Prussia, Sophie Charlotte.

Charlotte was an accomplished harpsichord player and sang Italian opera.

Following her death at only 36 years old, the palace and surrounding area were named Charlottenburg after her.

During an evening at the palace, guests experience an exquisite three-course candlelit dinner followed by a performance in the orangery by the Berlin Residence Orchestra.

The orchestra perform a selection of pieces from composers Bach, Handel and Mozart.

Those with a VIP ticket receive a glass of champagne at the interval.

The evening also includes access to the palace on self-guided tours and a panoramic view across Bellevue Palace and the Reichstag.

It’s a popular activity; visitors must book tickets in advance, available here.

An Evening at Charlottenburg Palace is at Charlottenburg Palace, Spandauer Damm 10-22, Berlin.

14- Listen To Berlin Philharmoniker

Berlin Philharmoniker offers a sophisticated and cultural evening while staying in Berlin.

Hans Scharoun, a German Architect, had a vision for the building in 1920, where he wanted to create the ideal theatrical space.

His vision came to light in 1963 in what was West Berlin.

The building is an unusual tent shape covered in a bright yellow finish.

There are many evening performances at the Berlin Philharmoniker, including ballets, plays, operas and orchestral concerts.

Tickets do sell out, so booking ahead is recommended.

Berlin Philharmoniker is at Herbert-Von-Karajan-Straße 1, 10785 Berlin.

15- Go On A Pub Crawl

Perhaps the most popular answer when searching for things to do in Berlin at night, pub crawls are not to be missed if a mixture of culture and beer is your ideal evening out.

Many pub crawls that are organised and led by a dedicated tour guide can be booked in advance, with themes for a wide range of needs, such as backpacker pub crawls.

Take in the sights and drinks of the city with like-minded travellers as you head to low-key bars serving craft beers.

For those looking for a more authentic Berlin experience, join the Original Berlin Pub Crawl.

This crawl takes pride in being the first organised pub crawl in the city and explores shisha bars and electro lounges with a final stop at the ‘big’ club.

Tickets for this pub crawl are very reasonable as they include free shots.

Pub Crawls are held at various locations across Berlin.

16- Dine And Unwind at KulturBrauerei

KulturBrauerie was once a brewery, but today, it is a venue celebrating culture in all forms.

The venue has six spacious courtyards with 20 red and yellow clinker buildings. There are many clubs, bars, restaurants, cinemas and museums.

You will find SODA, one of Berlin’s biggest nightclubs in the former boiler house.

Head to Franz Club for more than just a club night; this venue is a restaurant, beer garden and lounge.

During Spring, KulturBrauerie welcomes those seeking to celebrate May Day through its Walpurgis Night celebration, when dances are held and people gather around a large bonfire in the courtyard.

Christmas markets are also held at the venue, with many stalls, particularly those serving food and drinks, open till late.

KulturBrauerie is at Schönhauser Allee 36, 10435 Berlin.

17- Dine in the rotating TV Tower restaurant

The revolving restaurant that occupies the top of the Berlin TV Tower has been serving hungry visitors for over 50 years.

The restaurant is 207m (679ft) above the pavement below and shares incredible 360-degree views across Berlin.

Dine during the evening for the best atmosphere within the restaurant and magical, illuminated views across the city.

It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It also hosts events with live music from a range of artists and genres.

If dining during a performance, your ticket price includes admission, a welcome drink and a three-course meal.

Traditional dining admission includes your incredible view across the city from your window table, a glass of sparkling wine, a three-course meal with two glasses of wine, and a hot drink to round off your meal. Skip the line and book a window seat here. 

TV Tower is at TV-Turm, Alexanderplatz Gastronomiegessellschaftmbh, Panoramastraße 1A, D-10178, Berlin.

18- Visit the Brandenburg Gate 

While many visitors flock to the Brandenburg Gate during the day, it’s worth visiting at night away from the crowds to see this magnificent and historic sculpture in all its glory.

Carefully placed spotlights illuminate every part of the Brandenburg Gate.

The gate is a 12-column neo-classical monument inspired by the Acropolis in Athens.

The Prussian Hohenzollern monarchy built the gate in 1791 as a dramatic and ceremonial entranceway to the Kingdom of Prussia.

The Brandenburg Gate is included as a stop in many of Berlin’s night tours, including: 

• Evening bus tour on the hop-on, hop-off bus
• historical walking tour conducted by professional guides
• fun rickshaw tour

Skip the line and pre-book tickets for these tours online.

Brandenburg Gate is at Pariser Platz, Berlin, 111017.

19- Take part in Long Night of the Museums

Long Night of the Museums is a once-a-year opportunity to see many of the city’s museums in a different light.

75 museums will be taking part during 2022’s Long Night of the Museums, where the museums open their doors from 6 pm, closing at 2 am.

Museums taking part include many on Museum Island, the exclusive and private Samurai Art Museum and Stasi Museum.

Many rare objects usually hidden from public view are unveiled during this annual opening.

The museums also share trivia, talks and tasty dishes.

Long Night of the Museums is in summer, usually at the end of August. Tickets must be booked online in advance, with prices starting at €12.

Long Night of the Museums is at various museums across Berlin.

20- Bowl at Tante Lisbeth

Tante Lisbeth is the perfect spot for a quirky, 70’s style night out.

The bar is located in the trendy neighbourhood of Kreuzberg, and its name translates to ‘Aunty Lisbeth’.

The former pub was converted to incorporate a 1970s-style bowling alley but the bar is small and can only house 60 people at any one time, making reservations a must.

Credit cards are not accepted here, so have plenty of euro notes for your drinks and bowling.

Tante Lisbeth is at Muskauer Straße 49, Berlin, 10997.

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