Bar
Berghain
Berlin's most famous techno club, in a former power station near Ostbahnhof, with the Panorama Bar upstairs and marathon weekend Klubnacht parties.
Clärchens Ballhaus
A historic dance hall on Auguststrasse, open for more than a century, with dancing, a restaurant serving German cuisine and the preserved Mirror Hall upstairs.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic dance hall and restaurant
- Area
- Mitte, Berlin, Germany
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- claerchensball.haus
Good to know
- Dance hall
- Mirror Hall
- Restaurant
- Events
Why we recommend it
Clärchens Ballhaus is a dance hall on Auguststrasse in Mitte that has been welcoming dancers for more than 110 years, since it opened in 1913. It is one of the very few survivors of the many ballrooms that once filled Berlin, and it remains a place where people of all ages come to dance, eat and spend an evening in a setting full of history.
The ground floor holds the main hall, with what the venue describes as one of the most beautiful dance floors in the city. Events range from elegant ballroom dancing to lively party nights, so the mood depends on the evening; the programme on the website shows what is happening each week. Upstairs, the Spiegelsaal, or Mirror Hall, has been left much as it was, with faded mirrors, old wall decoration and chandeliers, and it feels as if time has stood still. The room is used for events and concerts and is one of the most atmospheric interiors in Berlin.
Food is part of the experience. The restaurant on the ground floor, Luna D'Oro, serves traditional German cooking, and its menu is described as a love letter to German cuisine, which makes it a good place for dinner before or between dances. It opens from 5pm almost every day. Reservations can be made by phone or by email to the restaurant.
Clärchens Ballhaus suits couples, groups of friends and anyone who enjoys dancing or simply wants to watch in a historic setting. No special skills are needed to enjoy an evening, though regulars of the ballroom nights are often very good dancers. Check the programme in advance, as the type of event changes, and some nights require tickets.
Its survival through war, division and reunification makes the Ballhaus a rare link with an older Berlin, when going out dancing was part of ordinary life for working people across the city. Spending an evening here gives a sense of that tradition.
Auguststrasse is a short walk from Oranienburger Strasse S-Bahn station and from Rosenthaler Platz and Weinmeisterstrasse on the U8. The street is home to several contemporary art galleries, including the KW Institute for Contemporary Art, and The Barn's Auguststrasse café is nearby. The Hackesche Höfe and the bars and restaurants of the Spandauer Vorstadt are within a few minutes on foot.
Clärchens Ballhaus FAQs
When did Clärchens Ballhaus open?
It opened in 1913 and has been a dance hall for more than 110 years.
Can you eat there?
Yes, the restaurant Luna D'Oro serves traditional German cuisine from 5pm almost every day.
What is the Mirror Hall?
The Spiegelsaal on the first floor, a preserved historic room used for events and concerts.
Do you need to know how to dance?
No, although regulars at the ballroom nights are often skilled dancers.
How do you reserve a table?
By phone or by email to the restaurant's reservations address.
Do you need tickets?
Some events require tickets, so check the programme in advance.
What is the nearest station?
Oranienburger Strasse S-Bahn or Rosenthaler Platz and Weinmeisterstrasse on the U8.
What is nearby?
The galleries of Auguststrasse, the KW Institute and the Hackesche Höfe.