10 Cool Things to Do in Friedrichshain 

Welcome to the hip neighborhood of Friedrichshain, Berlin!  

An industrial area in the past, this neighborhood is one of the most popular ones of the city today. This vibrant district has an amazing mix of culture, art, and nightlife that’ll surely get you pumped up and inspired.  

#1 Friedrichshain Berlin bars: enjoy a drink in style 🍸 

Are you a fan of bars? Then you’re in the right place.  

Friedrichshain Berlin bars are some of the coolest and most unique in the city. We recommend starting your bar-hopping adventure at the lively Boxhagener Platz where you can enjoy a refreshing drink while people-watching (you’ll get to see so many cool outfits!). Try out the wide wine collection and cheese platters of Noble Rot Weinbar. Or check out Café Dachkammer and Blechbilderbar—very typical Berlin bars with vintage furniture and laid-back vibes. 

If you’re in the mood for a pub-like atmosphere, the cozy bars in Friedrichshain will never disappoint you. Grab a beer and listen to rock music at Feuermelder and Die Tagung (both are smoker-friendly). Or head to Hops & Barley, a former butcher’s shop turned into a local brewery that serves delicious craft beers and has a chill vibe, perfect for unwinding after a long day of exploring.  

Craving some retro vibes? Sip your cocktail at Sheriff Teddy Bar while watching old films projected onto a wall or try Primitiv Bar and enjoy its dream-like Lynchian ambience full of vinyl music, disco balls, and red velvet curtains everywhere. One of the most cool things in Friedrichshain!

#2 Friedrichshain Berlin nightlife: party like a Berliner 

A visit to Friedrichshain is never complete without experiencing its famous nightlife scene. Start your night by swinging by Süss War Gestern and exploring all its hidden music rooms. Dance to retro sounds at Cassiopeia club (if you’re in town during summertime, check out its Sommergarten, too). Then, grab a cocktail at VOID Club and enjoy DJ sets with drum & bass, techno and psychedelic trance music. And, before calling it a night, head to Watergate, an iconic riverside nightclub with floor-to-ceiling windows, a terrace and international DJs. 

#3 Berghain: get your groove on 🎵 

Of course, Friedrichshain is also home to the ultimate Berlin techno club: Berghain. This legendary spot is famous for its strict door policy, so make sure you dress up and bring your A-game. We’ve got many tips to share with you on that, so make sure you read our Berlin nightlife guide. 

#4 Friedrichshain Kreuzberg: explore 2 neighborhoods in 1 ‍️ 

Did you know that Friedrichshain is adjacent to the trendy neighborhood of Kreuzberg? That’s right: you can easily explore two neighborhoods in one trip! Among the countless things you can do in Kreuzberg, you can check out the street art in its famous Graefekiez district, visit the bustling Turkish market at Maybachufer, walk in Görlitzer Park, a beautiful green space with a bohemian vibe, or take a stroll along the Landwehr Canal, a scenic waterway with bike paths and picnic spots. 

Berlin is packed with edgy and hip places perfect to snap the most instagrammable photos for your profile. In this article, we’ve gathered a list of the 10 most instagrammable spots in Berlin just for you!

#5 Snap a shot of Oberbaumbrücke 

Did you know that Berlin has more bridges than Venice? It’s true, but one bridge that stands out from the rest is the beautiful and iconic Oberbaumbrücke. It’s more than a stunning sight to see; it’s also the best way to get from Friedrichshain to Kreuzberg and vice versa. 

The bridge was built in 1896 to replace an old wooden bridge, and during the division of Berlin, it served as one of the few border crossings between East and West. Today, Oberbaumbrücke is a symbol of a united city, and you’ve got to cross it at least once when you’re in Berlin. It’s like taking a trip back in time to experience what the city used to be like during those dark days. 

While you’re there, also check out the neon art installation “Stone – Paper – Scissors” by Thorsten Goldberg. This artwork represents the arbitrariness of immigration decisions during the Cold War and the current migrant crisis. It’s a powerful reminder of how our choices can shape the world we live in. 

And did we mention that Oberbaumbrücke has also made its way into pop culture? You might recognize it from the famous German movie Run Lola Run. It’s one fo the cool things in Friedrichshain!

Did you know that plenty of other famous movies were shot in Berlin? This MEININGER article presents you 10 great movies that were set in Berlin.

#6 Boxhagener Platz: shop ’til you drop 🛍️ 

If you love shopping, you’ll want to check out the weekly flea market at Boxhagener Platz. You never know what kind of unique treasures you might find: from vintage clothing and handmade crafts to second-hand records and vintage furniture, there’s something for everyone – for sure one of the cool things in Friedrichshain!

The neighborhood also has some amazing thrift stores where you can find one-of-a-kind vintage pieces at bargain prices. Humana Second Hand is one of our personal favorites, where you can browse through racks of clothing and accessories spanning multiple decades. Visit Trash-Schick for cool shirts and V vintage fashion for old-school jackets with a nostalgic vibe. Check out our article on the coolest second-hand stores in Berlin to discover all the hidden gems!

If you’re a music lover, you’ll definitely want to check out some of the record stores in Friedrichshain, too. Vinyl-a-GoGo, Audio-In and Wax-Art Recordstore, are 3 must-visit spots for all of you, vinyl enthusiasts, where you can browse through rare and hard-to-find records. 

#7 Get your caffeine, cuisine & culture fix in Friedrichshain ☕ 

Curious about where you could take a nice coffee/snack break from exploring this cool neighborhood? Try one (or all) of our most fave spots: 

• Shakespeare & Sons-Fine Bagels: a quirky bookstore-café with a great selection of English-language books and delicious bagels. 

• Café M: a cozy café with a hipster vibe, perfect for a lazy brunch (their sandwiches and quiches are to die for!). 
• Silo Coffee: a trendy coffee shop with industrial-chic décor and fluffy pancakes. Get ready for some long queues on weekends, though. 
• c’est la vie: a French-inspired bakery and café with delicious croissants, tarts, and cakes. 

Getting hungry like the wolf? We’ve tried all these cool food-spots and 100% recommend them to you: 

• Kebab Club or Mustafa Demir’s Gemüse Kebap: both are perfect places for delicious Döner Kebabs; it doesn’t get more Berlinisch than that.  

• Il Ritrovo-Cucina Casalinga Popolare: a hidden gem for pizza lovers with authentic Italian-style pizzas and a laid-back atmosphere. 
• Il moro: a cozy Italian restaurant with homemade pasta, fresh seafood, and an extensive wine list. 
• li.ke: serious||thai||vegan: a vegan Thai restaurant with creative dishes, fair prices and relaxed vibes. There’s more where that came from…our article on the top 10 vegan restaurants and bars in Berlin boasts an impressive list of suggestions. Don’t forget to check it out too!
• Khao Taan: another top spot for Thai cuisine with delicious spicy dishes (perfect for sharing) and great ambience, run by a Thai family. The slightly high prices are totally worth it. 
• Umami F-Hain: a modern Asian restaurant with a fusion menu and a great selection of cocktails. Our go-to is the Golden Poularde dish. 

• Speisehaus Berlin: a historic restaurant in a former brewery with rustic décor and traditional German cuisine. 
• Restaurant Stock und Stein: a trendy bistro with a minimalist décor where you can grill your own meat, fish and veggies. 

In the mood for extra culture? Head to: 

• Intimes Kino: a historic movie theater with retro vibes and a great selection of indie and art-house films. 
• Computer Games Museum: a must-visit (whether you’re a geek or not) with a huge collection of vintage and modern games and consoles. 

#8 Volkspark Friedrichshain: connect with nature 🍃 

When you need a break from the city’s hustle and bustle, head to Volkspark Friedrichshain. This beautiful park has it all: plenty of green space for picnics and relaxation, a playground, a lake where you can rent paddle boats, many memorials and sculptures. Go jogging, play some frisbee, rollerblade, bike, read a good book, or watch a film at the open-air cinema there on a warm summer night. 

#9 Try something new

RAW-Gelände is an alternative cultural center housed in an old railway depot. Check out Der Kegel Kletterturm which has (covered and open-air) climbing and bouldering walls, plus a seasonal ice climbing wall (!). Grab your skates and head to Skatehalle Berlin, watch a live show at the Astra Kulturhaus, or visit Urban Spree Gallery, full of contemporary art and urban culture with concerts, exhibitions, workshops etc. 

And all of you who want to channel your inner rockstar, you must go to Monster Ronson’s Ichiban Karaoke. It’s a legendary spot in Friedrichshain where you can live your “Lost in Translation” moment and belt out your favorite tunes while dancing the night away (either in a private booth with your crew, or if you’re bold enough try the open-mic sessions) and watching fun drag shows. As RuPaul would say, “time to lip-sync for your life!” 

Another cool thing to do in Friedrichshain is Paint your Style: a one-of-a-kind spot. This cozy little shop offers you a unique experience that lets you get creative and express yourself through art. Choose from a variety of ceramic pieces, including mugs, plates, and figurines. Once you’ve selected your piece, you can let your imagination run wild as you paint it however you like. The friendly staff is on hand to offer tips and guidance, but the real fun is in seeing where your own creativity takes you. 

#10 The East Side Gallery: walk through history 

You’ve probably heard about the East Side Gallery: a must-see for anyone visiting Berlin. This 1.3-kilometer-long section of the Berlin Wall is covered in stunning murals and street art, making it a powerful reminder of the city’s divided past and the struggle for unity. Walk along it, travel back in time and take some cool pictures along the way. 

MEININGER Hotel East Side Gallery: rest up in style 🛎️