Berghain

Berghain is far more than a nightclub - it is a cultural phenomenon. Housed in a former thermal power station on the border between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, the brutalist concrete building towers over the Berlin club scene like a cathedral. Since opening in 2004, it has become the global benchmark for electronic music. The main floor in Berghain delivers hard, industrial techno beneath a monumental ceiling, while the Panorama Bar upstairs serves house-leaning sounds in a brighter atmosphere.

Entry typically costs between 15 and 25 euros depending on the event. The door policy is legendarily strict - there is no guarantee of admission, even after hours of queuing. General advice: come alone or in pairs, wear dark understated clothing, and stay quiet in line. Photography is strictly forbidden throughout the entire club, which enables the uniquely liberated atmosphere inside. At the entrance, phone cameras are covered with stickers.

Regular opening hours run from Thursday through Monday, with the weekend as the centrepiece: doors open at midnight on Friday, and the operation often runs continuously until Monday afternoon or even Tuesday morning. Drinks are fairly priced for a venue of this calibre - a beer costs around 4 euros. Only cash is accepted. The nearest S-Bahn station is Ostbahnhof, just a short walk away.