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The best cocktails in town are mixed at this elegant bar in Gendarmenmarkt. Service is charming and the fastest in town, and in summer there’s even a fold-down bar on the pavement outside. Heavy leather armchairs make for comfortable sitting, and the walls are adorned with enlarged photographs of nudes by Helmut Newton, after whom the bar is named. Highly recommended: the Caribbean and Latin-American cocktails – chin-chin!

The new Lola-Lounge is a minimalist designer’s dream. It attracts a young, urban and suitably fashionable crowd who enjoy the computerized lighting system and the laidback lounge atmosphere of this bar with a restaurant. Choose from a long list of exotic and delicious cocktails.

Despite its name, the Paris Bar was until quite recently only a French restaurant. Now this trendy celebrity haunt has its own bar, and although the cocktails are not quite as good as those of the competition, it is easy to forget this when you are enjoying one of their wonderful French wines or champagnes.

Sip your tropical concoctions and champagne cocktails while seated underneath the portraits of 43 US presidents in this bar, a sister venue of the famous bar in Venice. The clientele is more sedate than in other Berlin bars, but the ambience is upmarket, and evening entertainment (jazz singers and piano) is more stylish than elsewhere.

This trendy bar, which belongs to the actor Ben Becker, has very quickly established itself as the place to be. The bar, with its soft leather armchairs and settees and completely black walls, is relaxed and comfortable. At weekends, Trompete hosts live concerts ranging from jazz and salsa to house.

For a long time, this was the favourite bar of the “beautiful people”. It is now a little quieter than it used to be, but this venue still boasts the longest bar in Berlin. The interior is truly astounding, and the well-dressed barmen with their white dinner jackets, as well as the outstanding cocktails they mix make this a “must” for any visitor.

Ice-cold Mojito cocktail

Thanks to its reputation for fine cocktails, the ocean-themed Mister Hu is one of the most popular bars in town. The relaxed ambience attracts students, artists and alternative nighthawks. There are outdoor tables in summer. Cocktails with rum are particularly good. And don’t ask for Mr Hu – there’s no bartender with that name.

This small bar, personally designed by Hans Scharoun, is the meeting point for Berlin’s cultural elite, the lobby doubling as a highly regarded gallery space. Here you can enjoy a discussion about art while sipping a cool drink and listening to excellent jazz.

Portraits of 1930s writers Erika and Klaus Mann adorn the walls of this bar, which is friendlier and more intimate than most other bars in Berlin. The cocktails are excellent.

The (in)famous Café M Kneipe in Schöneberg is today even noisier than it used to be. If you find the rock music too loud, you can always escape to the tables outside.