The first place to head for a pre-match drink is the square around Hakescher Markt S-Bahn stop. When the weather's fine everyone sits outside and enjoys a quiet drink amid the hustle and bustle of the city's old Jewish quarter... more like being in Paris or Milan than Germany!

Just outside Hackescher Markt S-Bahnhof

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Erdbeer by day looks like a derelict block of flats, but by night tranforms into a cosy and unpretensious cocktail bar.The name 'Erdbeer' means strawberry which well describes the decor of comfy sofas and walls painted deep red. An extensive drinks menu includes a pint of daiquiri for 7 euros as well as exotic fruit juices and smoothies. It never gets busy before 11 though, which is when the DJ arrives ...

Max Beer Strasse 56; U-Bahn Rosa Luxembourg Platz

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

I recommend exploring east Berlin. Take the U-bahn to Schönhauser Allee U-bahn station, or better, Eberswalderstrasse, one stop earlier. There’s a fast food stall under the station where you can get an excellent currywurst with chips. From there you can walk to Kollwitzplatz, a small square commemorating the artist Käthe Kollwitz. She was known for glowering portraits drawn with charcoal. Until a decade ago it suited this north-eastern part of the city, but the neighbourhood now is cheerful and gentrified. The buildings in the streets around Kollwitz Strasse have had their bulletholes filled in and been painted bright colours, and there are lots of excellent cafes, restaurants and bars. There’s even a weekend farmers’ market.

Eberswalder Strasse, U2

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The former demonstration boulevard of the GDR, the Allee is a unique site, offering a glimpse into the political and architechtural past of East Germany. It has integrated itself well into the West, offering various shops and restaurants. There is a wonderful beer shop along the Allee offering at least 300 different brews; just a little more enticement if you're into that kind of thing...

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The Columbiahalle seems to one of Berlin's premier venues, this autumn hosting acts such as Paul Weller and The White Stripes. On seeing Sigur Rós there this July, I found the Columbiahalle to be clean, full of helpful staff, and operating a quick and easy token system at the inexpensive bar.

COLUMBIAHALLE:
Columbiadamm 13-21
10965 Berlin
Tel: 030.698098-0

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

It's a restaurant/bistro, with excellent food and good beer/wine, all at good prices. It's a place where people meet, clubs get together, and there is always life going on. I only recommend it now because I don't live there any more, and I wanted it to remain a secret when I did live right next door.

Horstweg 5, Charlottenburg (round the corner from U-Bhf Sophie-Charlotte-Platz)

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

During my short stay in Berlin, I went to Hell and back during the day, and spent the evening in the toilet.

Not quite as bad as it sounds - 'Hell' was a cafe/wine bar across the road from my hotel, and the Toilet bar 'Klo' is a bit further into town. That sounds like a geeky, deliberately constructed joke on my part, but it just kind of happened. And yes, a toilet-themed pub is probably the worst business idea ever. The Germans don't carry it off with "carry-on" type humour - the bar staff are very serious and miserable, and clientele seem irritated when the toilets around the bar "flush".

But Hell was quite pleasant, seemingly one of the trendiest bars around.

Wilmersdorf

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends