Freie Universität Berlin (FU BERLIN)

As favourite night spot, I can't decide myself for a particular one, but I would say all the area of Friedrischain as well as Kreuzberg has plenty of cool nightlife and very nice and well decorated cafés and bars. I wouldn't miss the bar GOA in Friedrishain, were you can enjoy great cocktails (although pretty expensive!) while you are laying on Arab/Roman-style sofas with no shoes on, and under a faded warm light. One event you cannot miss if you happen to be in Berlin in July is the LOVEPARADE, the biggest tecno party event in Europe. It doesn't even matter if you are a tecno fan or not (I don't consider myself to be one), it's just about dancing and having some fun. Coloured hairsprays and wild costumes are the trendiest thing in Loveparade, nothing is too exagerated.

Since Berlin was a city in flux back in 1996, I am quite sure most of the local hotspots are no longer there. And even though the Berlin Wall was down long before I landed in Berlin, the city was still very divided. My vote? Hang out in the former East Berlin as much as possible. More character, cooler bars, better locals with better stories and better nightclubs. Definatly hit some techno clubs (E-Werk was the spot when I was there).

If you're English and feeling homesick then you could go to Potsdamer Platz and watch an original version film. Berlin is an amazing city and I particularly like going for cheap cocktails in Kreuzberg. There's also a really great Italian restaurant not far from the station.

Prenzlauerberg for cafés,Oranienburg and Kreuzberg for the alternative scene,Mitte for shops, a lot of museums and galleries of contemporary art,lots of wonderful parks, every corner of the city is a piece of recent history of Europe

Berlin provides every possible contemporary cultural innovation. Friedrichshain is a fascinating and lively neighborhood. The WMF Club is amazing. The record shop Staalplaat is unlike any I have ever visited.

Museumsinsel: Pergamonmuseum Café Central (Hackesche Höfe) The lakes surrounding Berlin in spring- and summertime A feast called "Karneval der Kulturen" that takes places aprox. 25 May