The short answer: whenever the last guest leaves. The long answer explains a lot about how Berlin goes out.
Berlin has no general closing time for bars, pubs or clubs. That is why a Berlin night can start at 10 pm and end on Monday morning, and why locals look puzzled when visitors ask when the bars shut. Here is how it works in practice.
Why Berlin has no closing time
The story goes back to 1949. West Berlin's bars had to close earlier than those in the Soviet sector, and the two halves of the city kept nudging their closing hours to win the last customers of the night. According to the often-told story, the hotelier Heinz Zellermayer persuaded the Western Allied commanders that a city without a curfew would be good for business and a sign of freedom. In June 1949 West Berlin scrapped its closing time, and after reunification the whole city followed.
When bars actually close
- Cocktail bars: usually open from 7 or 8 pm and close around 2 or 3 am, later at weekends. Some open in the afternoon: 100 GRAMM Bar in Mitte opens daily at 4 pm according to its website and stays open until 5 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Kneipen (pubs): many have no fixed end and close when the last guests leave.
- Clubs: open around midnight on Friday and often run until Monday morning. Berghain and Sisyphos are the famous examples.
- Sundays and Mondays: the quietest nights; several cocktail bars are closed, so check before you go.
What does shape the night
No closing time does not mean no rules. Terraces and beer gardens usually move guests inside or close in the late evening out of respect for neighbours' night-time quiet, and every venue sets its own hours. Rooftops like Klunkerkranich are seasonal. Opening hours on maps are not always current, so a quick look at the bar's own website or social profile is worth it.
Getting home
On Friday and Saturday nights the U-Bahn and S-Bahn run all night; during the week night buses take over. Taxis and ride apps work at any hour. Our guide to partying safely has more tips for the way home.
How many bars are there in Berlin?
Nobody knows exactly. Official statistics do not count bars as a separate category: they are grouped with pubs, discos and dance halls, and many bars are registered as ordinary restaurants. What is certain is the scale: Berlin has several thousand pubs and bars, from corner Kneipen to hotel bars. Our guide to the best areas for bars and restaurants shows where they cluster.
Try it
Night ClockSlide the time, choose a city: the Night Clock shows what is right at 6 pm, 9 pm, midnight, 2 am or 6 am in every city, with the matching bar.Night PlannerChoose city, mood, budget and start time: the Night Planner builds a route of three to five stops with times, drinks and the way between them.Frequently asked questions
What time do bars close in Berlin?
There is no general closing time. Cocktail bars usually close around 2 or 3 am, later at weekends; pubs often stay open until the last guest leaves; clubs run from Friday night into Monday.
Does Berlin have a curfew for bars?
No. West Berlin abolished its closing time in 1949, and after reunification the whole city kept it that way.
How many bars are there in Berlin?
There is no official figure, because statistics group bars with pubs and discos. Berlin has several thousand pubs and bars.
