Berlin, Germany’s capital city, has certainly come a long way in the last decades, and has emerged as one of the top holiday destinations in Europe. Its hard-luck history, combined with an unbelievable influx of foreigners, has ensured its position as one of the most diverse and cosmopolitan European capitals. A growing population of 4.5 million people, hailing from over 190 countries, has made Berlin an unpretentious, welcoming and ever so changing hub. This is one old city which has reinvented itself into a trendy and avant-garde city indeed.

Berlin is also renowned as the home of some of the world’s trendiest bars. Want to test that theory for yourself? Then head to Germany on your next vacation and rent a Berlin holiday apartment. Bar-hopping in the Mitte District will surely convince you that not all bars are created equal and that, sometimes, the most incredible gems are hidden in the most unassuming places. In the past we wrote about where to sample the best German food in Berlin and here’s a list of our very favorite bars to set you on your merry way!

ArtBar71, 71 Kronenstrasse
Berlin is to art what Paris is to romance: its utmost iconic personification. So it’s hardly surprising then, that someone came up with the idea of combining art and drink. ArtBar71 is a sleek and sophisticated joint and, whilst it ran the risk of coming across as snooty and pretentious, it really doesn’t. This is one concept gone right! The crowd is young and chic, the music acts unbelievably varied (from rock bands to drag acts and classical performers), the displays by local artists enticing and the cocktails? Oh my…well, try their deadly mojitos and you’ll soon find out! Drinks don’t come cheap at ArtBar71 but then again, if a cheap drink is what you’re after when visiting Berlin then we suggest you head to your local Biergarten instead!

40 Seconds, 58 Potsdamerstrasse
At first, we though the name came from the average time one took to drink a delicious martini in this fabulous bar but alas, we were wrong! Guess that was just us… 40 Seconds in fact, is the time it takes you to hitch a ride on the lift up to this mega galactic bar on the 8th floor of this hip Potsdamer Platz building. The décor is ultra-modern (as are the patrons), the cocktail list phenomenal and the breathtaking view of the city’s skyline from their balconies is reason alone to visit. Just leave the shorts, flip-flops and guide book at home for this one. Great music, ambience and people-watching…triple-tick!

Adagio, Marlene Dietrich Platz
Adagio could very well be the reason Berlin got its reputation as a world bar/club capital. Get ready to be bedazzled and awed by this stylish and ever-popular bar. This joint is a true sensory overload and is so completely out of character for Germany! The place exudes a sexiness one normally finds in France, Italy or Spain, and the décor is border-line Vegas. No, seriously, you’ve got to see this to believe it! From replicate Roman columns to enormous painted frescos of angels, Adagio is simply out of this world. Head to Adagio with an open mind and a healthy libido and you too can ‘celebrate in style’.

6vorne, 11 Hektorstrasse
Channel your inner Rainman and visit this numerically-cryptic bar on Hektorstrasse. ‘6-forward’ is not the latest Karma Sutra trend, but rather the name of this most gorgeous establishment.

6vorne is an institution in Berlin, and the place where locals meet for a quiet drink before moving onto more vivacious establishments (like Adagio). We never did quite find out what the name represents, however we did manage to test a good portion of their cocktail menu. Superb is the first word which comes to mind. Superb is also a great adjective to describe the fashionable and friendly crowd.

The interior design of the bar facilitates making new friends; it is cozy and relaxing, the music not too loud and the tables nice and close. If you want to see where the young and beautiful hang out in Berlin, and meet a few, then 6vorne is the bar for you.

Visit Berlin on your next vacation and turn bar-hopping into a cultural experience like no other.