Berlin is one of only a handful of capital cities I’d ever considering moving to. How has it earnt such an honour? Well, it doesn’t have the suffocating greed of London, or the prissy self-adoration of Paris. Berlin is much more down to earth. It makes you feel welcome regardless of whether you’re a party person, an artist, a tourist or an entrepreneur. Your social class or the size of your wallet feels as irrelevant as your star sign.

Berlin’s radical heart and democratic attitude are reflected in the diverse range of bars, clubs and restaurants that fill districts like Mitte and Kreuzberg. And having a wunderbar time there won’t break the bank either. When I discovered how cheap and cheerful it is, I was as happy as a German watching Deutschland in a World Cup penalty shootout.

Berlin lacks the suffocating greed of London and the prissy self-adoration of Paris. It’s more down to earth and more radicaI.

In honour of my ongoing love affair, in the next few weeks I’ll be listing some of my favourite Berliner places to hang out, eat and make merry. As we all know, travelling can be a thirsty affair, so the first place I’m going to share is a bar.

Located under a renovated railway arch under Friedrichstrasse Bahnhof in Mitte, Tausend (or Thousand in English) mixes live tunes with a unique ambience that attracts a mix of hipsters trying to look cool, ravers chillin’ out after a hard night and bohemians enjoying the mood music. Unlike the majority of Berlin bars, which seem to have a thing for electro, Tausend also showcases bands all accompanied by the rumbling of trains overhead.

With décor that includes loads of glass, curved steel walls and a massive doughnut-shaped fixture broadcasting white light from the end of the long, one-room space. Sleek sofas line the elevated seating areas

To me, Tausend reflects everything that’s great about Berlin. It’s underground yet accessible. It’s uber cool without being overly pretentious. And most importantly, once you’re there you’ll find it difficult to leave.