Being a single mum, nightclubbing is pretty much a closed chapter in my life, but I love bars where you can arrive in the early evening, have a great time with friends, and still make it home before the babysitter has emptied all the food reserves.

My two favourite bars are both located on Helmholtzplatz (nickname Helmi) in Prenzlauerberg, former East Berlin.

EKA 

EKA is situated on the Dunckerstrasse side of the rectangular square of Helmi, a small Portuguese bar, where the atmosphere is always chilled and the drinks always made with true dedication. Music nine out of ten times is cool, and I love that you can always order ham and melted cheese sandwiches, or the wonderful small Portuguese custard tarts called Pastéis de nata.

 A really cool place to hang out with friends before going to the nightclubs (this is the part where I go home to pull the babysitter out of the candy cupboard).

Bar EKA, Dunckerstraße 9, Berlin

Wohnzimmer

Photo by CDrewing

The other bar on Helmi is called 'Wohnzimmer' (Living room). It is a big corner apartment, converted into a bar furnished with soft armchairs and couches. There are chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and smoking is forbidden between 10 A.M. and 6 P.M. When the weather is good, which it often is during the summer, there is a great atmosphere outside this lively, well decorated, and in a way, typical Berlin bar.

Wohnzimmer, Lettestraße 6, Berlin