A Non-Drinker’s Guide to Berlin

It might come as a relief to know that nightlife in the world capital of techno doesn’t have to involve drinking. At Sober Sensation events (which cost around €12), you can sip on mocktails, listen to top Berlin DJs, get your face painted, and dance until the sun comes up. It’s all of the party with none of the alcohol. As the club itself says: “We believe in the power of natural highs.”

Berlin seems like such a modern metropolis that it’s difficult to imagine just 30-some years ago it was divided in two by the Berlin Wall, or that it served as the headquarters of the German Reich during World War II. Not only are most walking tours of this historical city limited in scope, but they also often involve beer breaks. So if you’re trying to avoid alcohol altogether and want to see all the sites, exploring the city on two wheels is the way to go.

The Mindful Drinking Club is an alcohol-free showroom that offers tastings and workshops. Here you’ll find elixirs and kombucha for sale along with a selection of alcohol-free beer, wine, and spirits. If you’re traveling with a group, you can schedule a private tasting in either English or German.

But this isn’t the only non-alcoholic shop in town—Berlin’s first sober Späti (bodega-esque store), Null Prozent, welcomes visitors near the Marheineke Martkhalle.

Berlin can be wet year-round, and there’s no better way to escape the rain (and drinking culture) than visiting a museum. Start with Museum Island in the heart of the city, where you’ll find five of the world’s best-known museums, including the Neues Museum where the famous bust of Nefertiti is kept. Beyond the island, check out the German Spy Museum, the Jewish Museum, Natural History Museum, and more.

If you’re hoping to steer clear of alcohol during your time in Berlin, it’s best to avoid tours that involve restaurant stops. A street art workshop is a great example of a non-drinking tour, as it allows you to get a sense for this UNESCO-listed Design City’s street art scene without distractions. Go on a walk to see some of the city’s best graffiti (ever hear of The Fraternal Kiss?) and learn about Berlin street artists, before trying your hand at spray painting.

Berlin looks very different from the water, which is why to best understand the city you’ll want to hop on a boat at some point. Plenty of river cruises run along the Spree, but many of them do serve drinks, so rent a canoe or kayak for a completely alcohol-free trip. While you can venture out on the river yourself, you may want to join a canoe tour to learn more about the city as you paddle.

Even though Berlin’s only completely alcohol-free bar has shuttered for good, there are still plenty of venues in town where you can order great mocktails. Take Monterey Bar, a retro locale with an exciting array of non-alcoholic drinks. Here, you can sip on booze-free rum, vodka, gin, coffee liqueur, and even absinthe while listening to rock music. Unlike many bars in Berlin, this one is non-smoking, too, and has a great laidback atmosphere that’s ideal for conversation.

Much of the Turkish diaspora is concentrated in Berlin—specifically, in the neighborhoods of Kreuzberg, Neukölln, and Wedding. A walk through Little Istanbul is like stepping into another world. Not only will you find excellent döner kebab shops, markets, and Turkish bakeries, but also restaurants representing many other cultures and cuisines. And because many Muslim Turkish-Germans don’t drink, you’re also likely to be able to avoid alcohol completely as you wander around.

Perhaps the most thrilling way to see the city—sober or otherwise—is with Base Flying Berlin. Strap into a harness and jump from the roof of the Park Inn Hotel, dropping a little over 400 feet (122 meters). You’ll feel like you’re free-falling as you glimpse insect-sized tourists gathering in Alexanderplatz from above. This sober adventure is also available at night, when lights from the nearby TV Tower will illuminate your view.