Berlin nightlife is the stuff of legend. Sexy new bars and clubs have enriched the old mix of beer halls and burlesque, and you’ll find the drinks keep flowing way past the small hours.

The coolest bars are in Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain— stomping grounds of Berlin’s in crowd— while the edgy Kreuzberg will suit the more adventurous. Music is sacred here—while local techno sets trends across the world, the State Opera and Berlin Philharmonic cater well for the classically inclined. Here’s a glimpse of some elite essentials.