Barbie Deinhoff's

With charismatic customers clad in studded jockstraps and gimp masks, it's safe to say that Barbie Deinhoff's attracts people of all persuasions. Sophisticated, ruby-lipped cross-dressers rub shoulders – and other body parts – with louche local artists and intellectuals, while students lap up the raucous atmosphere and cheap prices. Run by celebrity drag queen Lena Braun, this bright pink Barbie-themed boozer remains one of Berlin's top spots for a fun and debauchery-filled evening. As if the camp, carefree atmosphere wasn't enough, there's also a 2-for-1 happy hour everyday from 6pm-9pm on weeknights and from 4pm on weekends.
• Schlesische Strasse 16, Kreuzberg, barbiedeinhoff.de. Open daily 6pm-6am

Die Weinerei

Some call it naive, others say it's the embodiment of Berlin's liberal charm. Either way, the honours system at the Weinerei gets people talking. For an initial €2, punters rent a glass and are invited to drink as much wine as they like. After you've had your fill, you leave as much (or as little) money as you like in the tips jar. It's a novel concept, and one that could easily be abused, but the trusting atmosphere and the quaint charm of the surroundings have the effect of restoring people's moral sense, with some customers leaving more money than they would normally pay for a few glasses of wine.
• Veteranenstrasse 14, Mitte, +49 30 440 6983, weinerei.com. Open Mon-Fri 1pm-8pm, Sat 11am-8pm

Bei Schlawinchen

Given that Berlin is saturated with hipsters and international artists (a more cynical definition might be expat layabouts), it's quite refreshing to stumble upon a bar that prides itself on serving "real Berliners". This 24-hour dive bar has an anarchic vibe and remains one of the few gritty establishments in the rapidly-gentrified Graefekiez. Hardened daytime drinkers and older locals prop up the bar. The decor is as interesting as the storytelling clientele, with an assortment of objects apparently superglued to the ceiling. Due to the cheap prices and 24-hour opening, the bar attracts a few post-party ravers, making for some mind-boggling conversations at all hours of the day.
• Schönleinstrasse 34, Kreuzberg, +49 30 693 2015. Open 24 hours

Kptn. A Müller

Nestled among tourist traps and cocktail lounges in Friedrichshain, this intimate bar has retained its low prices and living-room vibe. DJs spin ambient beats and electro jazz, while locals lap up the opportunity to play free table-football. The bar's charm lies in the fact it doesn't try too hard. Faded East German wallpaper and old pictures of ocean liners make up the minimalist interior, which exudes cool and instant comfort. Every Sunday, the bar screens an episode of the iconic German/Austrian/Swiss detective series Tatort. Even if you don't understand what the characters are saying, it's entertaining to watch the clientele get swept up in the drama.
• Simon-Dach-Strasse 32, Friedrichshain, +49 30 5473 2257 kptn.de. Open daily from 6pm-4am

Das Hotel

A bit like Berlin itself, Das Hotel is romantic in a ramshackle sort of way. Large candles melt into messy wax sculptures around the room, battered old pianos double as tables and absinthe-sipping poet types mingle in dimly lit corners. Although the bar attracts a mainly arty crowd, it's still essentially a friendly neighbourhood joint due to its location on the otherwise quiet Mariannenstrasse. Despite being undoubtedly hip, it also welcomes a host of beer-chugging Berliners who'll knock the pretension out of most people with the quick clink of a mug.
• Mariannenstrasse 26a, Kreuzberg, +49 30 8411 8433, dashotelfresh.com. Open daily from 4pm

Soju Bar

Soju – that highly drinkable and deceptively strong Korean liquor – forms the base of most cocktails and long drinks at this stylish micro-bar in Kreuzberg. Owned by the mogul behind the esteemed Kimchi Princess Korean restaurant next door, Soju Bar imitates the streets of Seoul remarkably well. The stark concrete tiles and flickering neon signs lend the room a subtle sense of Asian flair and sophistication. DJs regularly spin deep house, soul and minimal techno, but if you don't like the music you can take refuge in the karaoke toilet, where you can sing your heart out to 80s pop hits while going about your business.
• Skalitzerstrasse 36, Kreuzberg, soju-bar.com. Open Wed-Fri 11pm-late

Bar Tausend

With no sign or lights outside, Bar Tausend would be easy to miss were it not for its reputation as one of the city's best high-end nightspots. Tucked away beneath the train tracks at Bahnhof Friedrichstrasse, the iron door at the entrance doesn't reflect the space-age decor inside. Curved glass sculptures, shiny steel walls and elevated seating areas provide the backdrop for film-makers, models and other pretty young things as they sip cocktails to ambient house music. Part of the bar's appeal is that it all feels a bit secretive, making for a titillating atmosphere that lends itself to hedonistic fun.
• Schiffbauerdamm 11, Mitte, +49 30 2758 2070, tausendberlin.com. Open Tues-Sat 7.30pm-late

Prater Garten

Established in 1837, the Prater Garten is Berlin's oldest beer garden and presents an idyllic picture during the summer months: yellow picnic tables are shaded by the canopy of chestnut trees . It has room for more than 600 people, and the murmur of chatter between tourists, locals and beer aficionados adds to the pleasant atmosphere of a sunny afternoon. The Prater Pils – its home-brewed nectar – is the most popular choice but dark beers from around Germany are also available. If the weather is bad, there's an indoor beer hall and adjoining restaurant with traditional German fare such as goulash and Wiener schnitzel.
• Kastanienallee 7–9, Prenzlauer Berg, +49 30 448 5688, pratergarten.de. Open April-September daily from noon

Bar 3

A stone's throw from the Volksbühne and a host of independent art galleries, Bar 3 primarily attracts artists, critics and curators. The slightly austere interior is brought to life by well-lubricated creatives as they launch into impassioned conversations about conceptual contemporary culture and the like. As they mingle against the backdrop of a spacious horseshoe-shaped bar, the animated interaction between customers could quite easily be a piece of performance art. While it all might sound a tad pretentious, the inebriated state of most people makes for a warm and welcoming atmosphere on most nights of the week.
• Weydingerstrasse 20, Mitte, +49 30 9700 5106, no website. Restaurant open Tues-Sat from 7pm, bar from 9pm-late

Luzia

Swarming with stylish patrons who mingle amid clouds of smoke, Luzia is one of the more popular bars on Oranienstrasse and has an outdoor terrace that overlooks the bustling street scene. Inside, the large industrial space is crammed with velvet armchairs, mismatched tables and vintage wallpaper that flakes off to reveal rustic red bricks. A close inspection of the rooms reveals meticulous attention to design details; lamps are perfectly placed to shed warm light onto subtle wall paintings by renowned local street artist Chin Chin. It all makes for a refined yet laid-back atmosphere.
• Oranienstrasse 34, Kreuzberg, +49 30 8179 9958, luzia.tc. Open daily 10am-3am

• Arun Sood is a Berlin-based writer