40seconds

40seconds is a club which takes its name from the amount of time it takes to reach the club level from the ground floor. Disappointingly, the club is on the 7th floor, and the 40 seconds are more due to a slow elevator than a very high elevation. However, it's still a nice small club with large windows and a great view of the Potsdamer Platz and Sony Center area. The patio outside is particularly nice for enjoying the view, but is full of clubbers who need a smoke.

The decor is nice and trendy, and there are some pretty cool lights/TV screens/projectors. It was one of the only places where we found a hip-hop night, where they had a playlist similar to one you might find at an American club. I also noticed a surprisingly high girl/guy ratio the night we were there, but since the Germans don't dance to hip-hop quite like we do, it was basically a bunch of girls dancing with guys standing around awkwardly. Potsdamer Strasse 58, near U-Bhf Mendolssohn-Bartholdy Park (U2).

Sage/Kitkat Club

Sage is a rock music club open every Thursday night and there’s no cover before 9PM. There’s a pool inside, multiple dance floors, and live music. When we went, there was a Battle of the Bands so it was pretty awesome listening to German rock. On all other days, the same venue is home to Kitkat club, the infamous sex club. I’ve never been myself, but I’ve heard people dress pretty ridiculous—we’re talking assless chaps and the works. The club's address is Köpenicker Straße 76, right outside the U-Bhf. Heinrich-Heine-Straße station.

Ditsch Pretzels

Ditsch stands are everywhere in Germany. This is a great place to get Laugen Bretzeln. The pretzels here are always fresh, soft, and delicious. And even better, they only cost 60 cents. It’s my favorite place to get pretzels cause I’m always sure they’ll be good. Stale pretzels or over salted pretzels can be very disappointing.

Wunderlampe

This was one of our favorite Döner stands because we made friends with Aladin. He’s seriously one of the nicest guys ever; every time we went there he gave us free stuff and had nice conversations with us. Not only is he awesome, but the Chicken Döner’s great too. The mini-Döner is the size of a regular Döner at other stands and the regular Döner is huge, so big that you can’t even close it until you eat some from the center. We haven’t dared tried the Big Döner yet, but I’m sure it won’t disappoint. Very delicious and definitely one of the best Döner places in the city too. Just get off at the Eisenacher Strasse U7 Stop, exit on the Eisenacher Strasse side.

Mustafas Gemüse Kebap

Mustafas Gemüse Kebap, right next to Currywurst 36 at the Mehringdamm U-Bahn station, is a notable Döner stand. This one’s special because it’s a Chicken Döner with grilled vegetables and potatoes in it instead of the usual lettuce and tomatoes. It is then topped with feta cheese and lime. Although it costs a little bit more, you’re definitely getting more than your average Döner. Some say its the best. I only ever eat Döner at two places, and this one of them.

The Famous Currywurst Stand: Curry36

Currywurst is Berlin's most famous snack. What is it? It’s basically a cut-up sausage covered in a special kind of ketchup, topped with curry powder. It makes for a great quick snack. Curry36 is the most popular and the best currywurst stand in Berlin and is right outside the Mehringdamm U-Bahn stop. It’s open really late (until at least 3am daily) so it’s a perfect snack point at any time of day. There's always a long line, but it's well worth the wait.