For a taste of Berlin nightlife from a different era, head to this wonderfully original dance hall located in the middle of Mitte’s gallery district. In operation since 1913, it’s had its fair share of ups and downs, but one thing has stayed constant – the familiar tappety-tap of a ballroom quickstep or foxtrot. The Ballhaus actually has two ballrooms: the vast ground-floor space is lined with silver tinsel streamers, and a spacious dance floor is ringed by wooden tables bedecked with white tablecloths and candles, a disco ball spinning overhead. Upstairs is another room that never fails to elicit gasps of awe from first-time visitors. There’s a full roster of events throughout the week with lessons available, tango on Tuesdays or waltz on a Wednesday, while weekend evenings descend into more of a free-for-all with a live band performing to the mixed crowd.

Clärchens Ballhaus

Description