Our Guide To Berlin Nightlife: Where To Drink During The Berlinale International Film Festival

1. Berghain/Panorama Bar

Berghain is the undisputed head honcho of Berlin club life. Simply THE club in Berlin, Berghain’s name derives from the Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain neighborhoods it borders. The former power station turned behemoth pleasure factory, with its vaulting ceilings, blaring sound system, raw cement floors and labyrinthine layout, really is the quintessence of techno. Flaunting an 18-meter high dance floor, it holds 1,500 guests with a main room downstairs, which thumps techno and a smaller room upstairs, the Panorama Bar, which is more house-friendly. Judged ‘Best Club in the World’ in DJ Magazine’s 2011 annual list, it attracts pioneering DJs around the world and pumps parties from Saturday night round the clock through Monday morning. Berghain’s selective door policy is notoriously unpredictable, so be prepared for an hour-long wait in line. Your safest bet is to arrive around 5-6am on Saturday morning or after breakfast on Sunday. Berghain also operates under the “What happens in Berghain, stays in Berghain” policy and confiscates all cameras at the door. Berghain/Panorama Bar Where: Am Wriezener Bahnof 1, 10243 Berlin. S-Bahn Ostbahnhof. When: Friday 12 midnight to 12 noon; Sat-Sun 12 midnight to close. [Photo via]