Struggling to find things to do in Berlin in the evening? These night time activities will show you the best of Berlin after the sun has set!
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Tourists and locals alike can struggle to find things to do in Berlin at night — especially in the autumn and winter when the sun sets as early as 4pm!
After living in Berlin for 6 years, I’ve *finally* come to enjoy evenings in Berlin even during the long, gray winter months. Whatever season you’re reading this list of evening activities, there’s definitely something fun you’ll be able to look forward to.
Note that this list of things to see and do in Berlin at night focuses more on activities rather than clubs or bars simply because I rarely drink alcohol, and I don’t go clubbing. So if that sounds like your kind of fun too, read on!
-Claire
Go on an Evening River Cruise
There’s no prettier way to explore Berlin than by water. The Spree River runs through the heart of the city, flowing past architectural gems such as Charlottenburg Palace, Museum Island, the Oberbaum Bridge, the government district, the East Side Gallery, and more.
There are a few different evening Spree river cruise options to choose from, so read the descriptions carefully to make sure you’ll be sailing through a part of Berlin that interests you.
- 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise from the Central Station
- 3-Hour Evening Sightseeing Cruise with Beer
- 2.5-Hour Evening Sightseeing Cruise
And yes, the evening river cruises run year-round! In the winter, you’ll sit inside the boat or on the top deck beneath a glass dome. It’s absolutely enchanting!
Grab Dinner at a Market Hall
Berlin’s market halls are some of my favorite places to visit at night. Once upon a time, Berlin had 14 bustling market halls that sold everything from fresh produce to baked goods to flowers to meats and cheeses.
Today only four of the original market halls remain, all of which are great spots to meet friends for a more unique dining experience.
- Markthalle Neun (Eisenbahnstraße 42/43) — In Berlin, Markthalle Neun is the market hall to know about. As the name hints, this was the ninth market hall built in the city. It’s open every day but Sunday and boasts the widest selection of eateries. Visit on Thursday nights from 5pm to 10pm to experience “Street Food Thursdays.”
- Arminius Markthalle (Arminiusstrasse 2) — First opened in 1891, this Berlin hidden gem attracts fewer visitors which makes it a cozier spot to grab a bite to eat or share the latest gossip over drinks.
- Marheineke Markthalle (Marheinekeplatz 15) — Open until 8pm Monday through Friday, Kreuzberg’s market hall is the most traditional on this list. It’s a good place to come get high-quality ingredients before heading home to whip up a gourmet meal. However, there are also stalls selling hot meals. Bonus: there’s outdoor seating! Pair your visit to Marheineke Markthalle with a nighttime stroll around the surrounding neighborhood of Bergmannkiez.
- Markthalle Tegel (Gorkistraße 13-17) — The newly refurbished Tegel market hall is about as local and off the beaten track as you can get in the evening. Grab snacks or food at the market hall, then enjoy a starlit stroll around the Old Town.
Other popular market halls you can meet friends in the evenings include:
- Manifesto Market (Alte Potsdamer Str. 7) — An upscale market hall within The Playce at Potsdamer Platz.
- Markthalle Pfefferberg (Schönhauser Allee 176) — Home to Taquería El Oso, which makes the BEST tacos in Berlin.
Visit the Reichstag at Night
Germany’s parliamentary building is one of the most underrated nighttime attractions in Berlin. I’ve visited the Reichstag multiple times during the day, and once at night — and the night time visit was downright magical!
Book your free tour of the Reichstag’s iconic glass dome well in advance to ensure you score that coveted evening time slot. (I say coveted, but there are actually far fewer people who visit after dark so it’ll feel almost like you have the place to yourself.)
As you follow the self-guided audio tour up, up, up the glass dome, you won’t be able to see the surrounding landmarks. However, you’ll get an unparalleled view of the Reichstag itself at night. The glass dome is lit up from the inside, and the effect is stunning.
Claire’s Tip: An evening visit to the Reichstag is one of my favorite Berlin date ideas, too. Does that make me weird?
Meet Friends at a Beer Garden
Ditch the stuffy bar you always meet your friends at, and head to a beer garden this evening instead. At night, Berlin’s beer gardens are a relaxing gathering place for couples, friend groups, and families alike.
Keep in mind that beer gardens operate on a “weather permitting” basis and are only open from April through September.
Some of my favorite beer gardens in Berlin are:
- Prater (Kastanienallee 7-9) — The oldest beer garden in Berlin, and my personal favorite. It’s a no-frills, quiet spot to hang out at night in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg.
- Cafe am Neuen See (Lichtensteinallee 2) — Located in the heart of the Tiergarten. This is arguably the prettiest beer garden in the city, with excellent food options. (And beer, duh.)
- Zollpackhof (Elisabeth-Abegg-Straße 1) — You’d think a beer garden just minutes from the central train station would have “tourist trap” written all over it, but this is actually a beautiful place to meet people in the evenings. The beer garden is largely covered by a tree canopy, and it sits on the banks of the Spree River. You can’t beat the ambience here!
Listen to Live Music
There are so many places to listen to live music in Berlin, but favorites that immediately spring to mind are:
- Yorckschlösschen (Yorckstraße 15) — A super cozy bar in Kreuzberg with live blues and jazz Wednesday through Saturday starting at 8pm.
- Van Gogh Piano Bar (Grolmanstraße 41-43) — A low-lit piano bar near Savignyplatz. The drinks are pricey, but the vibes are immaculate.
- Kilkenny Irish Pub (Am Zwirngraben 17-20) — Located near Hackescher Markt, Kilkenny is a traditional Irish pub in the heart of Berlin. There’s live music Thursday through Sunday from 9/9:30pm, and Mondays are open mic night.
Attend a Performance
When you can’t decide what to do in Berlin at night, see a show! There are theaters and concert halls scattered throughout the city, but the main ones to be aware of are:
- Staatsoper (Unter den Linden 7) — The historic State Opera House along Unter den Linden stages primarily ballets and operas.
- Deutsche Oper (Bismarckstraße 35) — Berlin’s modern opera house also hosts a variety of ballet and opera performances.
- Komische Oper (Bismarckstraße 110) — A professional venue for more off-beat interpretations of classic operas and modern musicals alike.
- Konzerthaus (Gendarmenmarkt 2) — This stunning concert hall at Gendarmenmarkt should be your first port of call for orchestral and choral performances.
30 years of age or younger and want to save lots of money on tickets? Sign up for the Classic Card app! A year-long membership costs as much as your age and gets you 13 Euro tickets to classical concert and 15 Euro tickets to operas and ballets.
Sip Drinks at a Rooftop Bar
In the evenings, Berlin is best seen from a bird’s eye view! There are quite a few rooftop bars dotted around the city, but ones I love are:
- Klunkerkranich (Karl-Marx-Straße 66) — There’s a sizable rooftop terrace at this hip hangout spot in Neukölln. The view of Berlin from above is incredible, but note that this is a very popular place to meet at night and can be very busy.
- Hotel de Rome (Behrenstraße 37) — Very pricey cocktails can be enjoyed at the luxurious rooftop bar at this iconic Bebelplatz hotel.
- Monkey Bar (Budapester Str. 40) — Arguably the best-known rooftop bar in Berlin, and therefore can be the hardest to get into and can be crowded. But if you find a place to sit, you’ll be able to peer down into the zoo while you sip your drinks!
Take Yourself on a Bookstore Date
There are a number of excellent English language bookstores in Berlin, but if you plan on cozying up at a bookstore at night then Dussman das Kulturkaufhaus along Friedrichstraße is your best choice.
The multi-story bookstore is open until midnight throughout the week, meaning you don’t have to rush whatsoever.
There’s a Starbucks just one block over from the bookstore that’s open until 9pm, so consider pairing your night out at Dussman with a fun beverage.
Warm Up with Russian Samovar
Hidden within the labyrinth of hidden courtyards along Oranienburger Straße, Tadshikische Teestube (Tajikistan Tea Room) is a beautiful Bohemian tea room that was originally featured at the Leipzig Trade Fair in 1974.
Take a seat on a pillow and enjoy the full samovar experience at a low table on the floor.
A samovar is an ornate metal container used to brew extra-strength black tea. You’re meant to dilute the tea with hot water, then enjoy it with sweet nibbles like marzipan and candied citrus.
It’s such a unique way to spend an evening in Berlin! (Albeit also a heavily caffeinated activity…)
See a Silent Movie
If you’re craving an escape from the hustle and bustle of Berlin this evening, see if there’s a silent film playing at the Babylon Theater. Situated just off of Rosa-Luxemburg Platz in the popular Mitte neighborhood, the Babylon was built in the late 1920s and boasts its own in-house orchestra.
To see a silent film with Babylon’s live orchestra, make sure to to check the “Stummfilm Live” program on their website (all other silent films are shown to pre-recorded music).
The Babylon regularly presents silent film classics like Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, Charlie Chaplin’s Gold Rush, and the incredibly spooky The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.
Claire’s Tip: Not interested in silent movies? The Babylon also shows modern films, typically seasonal classics that everyone loves. They also put on fun events like 24-hour Harry Potter movie marathons.
Paint Your Own Pottery at Paint Your Style
And here you thought the best thing to do in Berlin at night is go clubbing — wrong! Hygge enthusiasts need to plan an evening of pottery painting at the popular chain, Paint Your Style.
The pottery painting process is simple: show up, select the item(s) you want to paint, then turn in your masterpiece once you’re done. The Paint Your Style team will fire the pottery for you, and you can pick it up a few days later once the glaze has set.
Claire’s Tip: With locations across the city, it’s easy to find a branch near you. Just note that some locations close earlier than others, so check the opening hours to make sure this will keep you occupied all evening!
Sing Your Heart Out at Monster Ronsons
Every Berliner needs to make the pilgrimage to Monster Ronsons Ichiban Karaoke at least once! You can book individual cabins for you and your friends, or you can visit on Friday and Saturday nights for open stage karaoke.
Monster Ronsons is typically packed, so you’ll want to reserve your karaoke cabin well in advance. This is one of the most fun places to spend an evening in Berlin; if you’re lucky, a special event will be going on when you visit!
See the Light Art Installations at Dark Matter
Dark Matter is an audiovisual and lights installation set in a former Lichtenberg factory. The permanent exhibit has seven rooms, each with a unique (often interactive!) lights show.
Take your time experiencing each exhibit; there are usually places for you to sit or climb, so stay in each room as long as you want to truly immerse yourself in the installations.
Relax at Holzmarkt 25
Holamzrkt 25 is a unique Berlin institution that’s part cultural center, part club, and part beer garden. Its scenic location on the banks of the Spree River make it one of my favorite places to watch the sunset and spend an evening chatting with friends.
There are food stalls dotted throughout the premises, so you won’t go hungry!
Claire’s Tip: Berlin’s alternative Christmas market takes place here each December.
See Berlin’s Most Famous Landmarks at Night
As a parting tip for where to go in Berlin this evening, might I suggest a stroll through Alexanderplatz, past Museum Island, and down Unter den Linden?
Whether you live in Berlin or are here for a visit, it’s worth seeing the city’s main attractions lit up at night at least once! In the evenings, the crowds along Unter den Linden all but disappear, which makes it easier to admire the architecture along Berlin’s grand boulevard.
During your walk, you’ll see the TV Tower, Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island, Bebelplatz, Brandenburg Gate, and more lit up.
Seasonal Events That Happen at Night
There are many more events that happen in Berlin throughout the year. If I’ve missed your favorite evening event, leave me a comment at the end of this post!
Long Night of Museums (August)
Typically taking place each August or early September, the Lange Nacht der Museen is a city-wide event that lasts until the wee hours of the morning.
One ticket grants you access to 75 museums, all of which stay open extra late this one night of the year.
Many of the participating museums also host special events, performances, and tours. It’s a really fun evening that showcases the best of Berlin’s culture!
“Charlottenwalk” Gallery Tour (March and November)
Charlottenwalk is a special event that happens twice per year in the Charlottenburg neighborhood in west Berlin. Roughly 30 participating galleries and exhibits stay open late for one weekend in March, and again in November.
It’s a free event that is a wonderful way to learn more about the art scene in Berlin. I suggest creating a walking route for yourself beforehand so you can make the most of the Charlottenwalk event.
Festival of Lights (October)
The Festival of Lights is a beloved annual event that’s taken place in Berlin since 2005. Each year, the city’s most famous landmarks are turned into stages for fantastic light shows.
The theme for the light shows changes each year (2024’s theme is “Celebrating Freedom”), which makes each Festival of Lights totally unique year after year.
My favorite landmarks to visit at night during the Festival of Lights include: the TV Tower, St. Mary’s Church, the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Cathedral, Charlottenburg Palace, Bebelplatz, and Potsdamer Platz.
Christmas Markets (November / December)
From the last week of November until Christmas Eve, Berlin is transformed into a winter wonderland! There are many fantastic Christmas markets in Berlin, my favorite of which is the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market (this year at Bebelplatz).
During Advent, the best way to spend an evening in Berlin is to cozy up at a Christmas market with a mug of mulled wine or punch.
Ready to Experience Berlin at Night?
Just because museums and shops close early in the evening doesn’t mean the rest of Berlin does, too!
If you’re desperate to get out of the house tonight but want to do something besides meet for the usual dinner and drinks, try one of the activities mentioned in this guide instead.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my daily adventures in Berlin and beyond!
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