THE PEARL

Since opening in late 2013, this swank hot spot has injected a much needed dose of sass into Berlin’s once fairly sleepy western city center. The club entrance sits at the bottom of a dramatic exterior cascade spilling into panoramic windows. A dolled-up crowd indulges in sipping, flirting, chatting and dancing until the wee hours on a dance floor lidded by a dazzling feathery LED ceiling installation.

There’s a different theme nightly. During Thursday popular after-work party professionals get to loosen their ties and libidos (half-price drinks until 9pm!). Fridays are big with wrinkle-free hip-hop and black music lovers, while weekend warriors invade on Saturdays for high-octane nights of electronic dance music. For relaxed imbibing, belly up to the circular bar (anchored by a sparkling chrome installation) in the front lounge.