So your hours of agony in the queue for Berghain ended in disappointment. Sven (see above) didn’t like the look of you, and you will not be seeing the sunrise in Panorama Bar tomorrow morning. Never fear!
Here’s our countdown of five great clubs, all within walking distance of the site of your rejection, so you can keep the party going!
1. Suicide Circus
Revaler Strasse 99
10245 Berlin
Open every Friday and Saturday night (and often other weeknights), Suicide Circus is the closest of our alternative clubs, just off Warschauer Strasse, on the same side of the bridge as Berghain. Walk down the metal staircase to the same level as the river Spree and you can’t miss the entrance.
On a Friday there is a solid residents techno night, and Saturdays have guest appearances from a range of decent artists. You won’t often find the big names that Berghain and Panorama Bar have to offer, but you may just discover an artist completely new to you!
There’s a nice covered smoking area and a foosball table for when you are tired of dancing in the (extremely sweaty) main room- which Lonely Planet describes as feeling like a ‘mini–Berghain’.
2. Watergate
Falckensteinstraße 49
10997 Berlin
If Suicide Circus doesn’t take your fancy then your next best bet is to cross over the river (follow the tram tracks if you get stuck). After about ten minutes you will notice on your right hand side the remains of the Berlin Wall known as the East Side Gallery.
Now is the perfect time to get the obligatory ‘walking unaware of the camera’ shot for your Tinder profile. Maybe also get a beer and a Currywurst to keep your energy levels up. Your next port of call should be Watergate, a Berlin institution, on the Kreuzberg side of the Spree. Open since 2002, it has two floors, and is renowned for consistently excellent line-ups.
The wall-to-wall LED ceiling on the top floor is a hedonist’s dream and will take your breath away! Dance for long enough and the curtains will rise on the floor to ceiling windows to give panoramic views of the river.
3. Chalet
Vor dem Schleisischen Tor 3
10997 Berlin
A little further along from Watergate there is Chalet. The queues here are sometimes almost as long as Berghain (think Friday and Saturday nights) so if you want to give this a try you need to commit to a wait, or arrive very late on.
Having said that, Chalet is well worth any waiting time. The 150-year-old building is beautiful and quirky, and boasts three floors of consistently great, yet varied, music.
Try the attic for more up and coming talent, or the main floor for consistent bangers. There is also a huge outdoor space with a multi level walled garden and a more laid back bar, for when you want a rest.
4. Club Der Visionaere
Am Flutgraben 1
12435 Berlin
Club der Visionaere is a small club (more a bar really) located in an old boathouse on the Kreuzberg side of the Spree. This is the place to go to kill time between clubs, or to regroup whilst you decide a plan of action.
The majority of the club’s space is taken up by outdoor decking on the riverside, which is absolutely blissful in summer. Don’t be fooled if you don’t have to pay on the door- to buy a drink you may have to get a stamp by paying your entry fee at the bar.
Opening hours vary dependant on attendance, sometimes in summer the club is open all weekend. This is a great place to chill out if you don’t fancy going hard, as the indoor dance floor is absolutely tiny.
One tip though: the toilets are not for the squeamish.
5. Hoppetosse
Eichenstrasse 4
12435 Berlin
Not too far from Club der Visionaere is the MS Hoppetosse. If you want a truly unique and memorable clubbing experience then look no further than partying on this boat!
Split over three levels, you can switch between relaxing on the top deck, dancing on the main floor, or checking out the water level bar. There are lots of great cubbyholes for when you want to rest, making it a club for everyone. Hoppetosse has recently changed hands and now doubles as Club der Visionaere’s winter location.
It boasts spectacular views over the Spree, day or night.
Know of any hidden gems to try upon rejection from Berghain?
Let us know in the comments below
Jenny Hay
