(* how London would love to be, but isn’t brave enough to)
“Are you going to Pride this year?” your friend asks.
“No, I’m going to Berlin that weekend,” you reply.
Cue clutched pearls, gasps of admiration and kudos to your quality of choice for a weekend break.
Ah, Berlin! The mere utterance of its name suggests you are cool, worldly and among the cultured elite of society. If you’ve traveled to the city, done your research and got the most out of Germany’s capital, then you’ll know how truly inspiring the place is. In that case, you probably don’t need to read this, because you’ve experienced the delights of the boutique shops and cafes along Kastanienallee in Prenzlauer Berg, or rolling out of the Berghain at any given point after an eighteen-hour clubbing session (yes, that’s my record time in there).
Berlin is everything London wishes it could be: affordable, unencumbered by legislation, accepting of diversity, and encouraging of individuality. Where London installs CCTV cameras, Berlin creates artwork installations.
If you are visiting for your first time, be sure to prioritise getting a sense of the city, by just exploring its numerous districts, each with its own personality, from the modern west to the more characteristic zones in East Berlin. See the sights by day, absorb the culture, and by night indulge the world’s damn finest nightlife experiences you’ll never forget.
CULTURE
Brandenberg Gate
Pariser Platz, 10117
Berlin’s most famous landmark, the arch is worth a visit, if only to get a selfie snap for Facebook.
Holocaust Memorial & ‘Gay Memorial’
Cora-Berliner-Straße 1, 10117
The imposing blocks that comprise the Holocaust Memorial start off low, then gradually you find yourself lost in a maze as they tower over you. It’s a powerful statement of the terrifying way in which a country can lose itself. The museum beneath tells a sobering account of the war, and the ‘gay’ memorial – or Memorial to Homosexuals persecuted under Nazism to use its official title – is also nearby.
Berlin Wall
Sections of the wall still remain, covered in messages telling of a city once divided and now in the colourful throes of rediscovering its identity.
Schwules Museum
Lützowstraße 73, 10785
The “Gay Museum” of Berlin is one of the finest in the world, and I cannot tell you enough how much I enjoyed it. Do yourself a favour and give yourself at least a couple hours to explore it. Embarrassingly London doesn’t have one yet (shame on us).
CLUBS
GMF
Weekend, Alexanderstraße 7, 10178.
Every Sunday, 11pm-5.30am
Go gay! Taking over the upper levels of this city block in Alexanderplatz, with great views over the city. Fully out fun pop on one level and more commercial house on another.
GutterSlut Berlin
Chalet Club, Schlesischen Tor 3, 1099729. 29th November 2013 (2nd Berlin birthday). 28th February 2014, 25th April, 27th June, 22nd August, 24th October 2014
The original east London underground gay club night is now fully established in Berlin, too, with parties every two months at one of the city’s newest, coolest venues. It’s bad-ass bonkers clubbing, in Berlin, London-style!
Homopatik
Markgrafendamm 24c, 10245. Every third Friday of the month.
Next event: 15th November
Monthly gay club that kicks off on Friday and runs right through to Monday. It’s all about the quality tunes here, with more vocal, funked-up house played out. When the weather’s good, the party shifts outdoors to the vast woodland space. W-O-W!
Horse Meat Disco Berlin
Prince Charles, Aufbauhaus, Prinzenstrasse 85F (Moritzplatz U8), 10969.
Second Saturday of the month every other month (with an extra date for December).
14th December 2013. 11th January, 8th March, 10th May, 12th July, 13th September, 8th November 2014.
London’s very own, world famous hedonistic disco hosts a popular residency, and its formula translates seamlessly to Berlin’s über cool clientele. Pop along and furnish the locals with tales of how you swing by HMD at Eagle Vauxhall all the time!
Möbel-Olfe
Reichenberger Straße 177, 10999.
Tuesday-Sunday, 6pm-2am
Be sure to swing by this oh-so very Berlin bar for a tipple before swinging yer handbag around one of the big clubs. If it reminds you of home, it’s because its look inspired our very own beloved Dalston Superstore.
Rosi’s
Revaler Str. 29, 10245 Friedrichshain.
Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
11pm-super late
The perfect pre-club bar with a bonkers clientele. Anything goes fun.
SNAX
Lab.oratory/Berghain, Wriezener Bahnhof, Friedrichshain 10243. www.lab-oratory.de
The monster fetish party takes over the entire Berghain and Lab.oratory complex for a huge sportswear special on Saturday 30th November. Snax main event is Easter Weekend 2014 – check the website for updates. Hugely popular with fetish lovers from all over the world flying in.
CABARET
Chamãleon Theatre
Circus-style cabaret theatre space in a gorgeous ballroom featuring a wonderful programme of entertainment. Worth a visit, even if it’s just to admire the architecture of Hackesche Höfe’s inner courtyards.
Chantal’s House of Shame
Bassy Club, Schönhauser Allee 176A, 10119
Every Thursday, 11pm-8am
Outrageous drag, live music, cabaret and clubbing combined at the absolutely always-entertaining cult spot.
ACCOMMODATION
www.visitBerlin.de and www.pinkpillow-berlin.com
If you want a guaranteed LGBT friendly place to stay, we recommend using the ‘Pink Pillow Collection’, a group of recommended hotels compiled with VisitBerlin.
For example, the Novotel in Tiergarten is modern, clean, affordable, and located right near the train station with convenient connections to all areas of the city.
Adina Apartment Hotel in Hackescher Markt is central and perfect if you prefer the privacy that comes with serviced apartments and facilities like your own kitchen.
Or go deluxe and stay at the Grand Hotel Esplanade on Lützowufer 15 where its glam interior gives way to equally lush bedrooms.
WIN A TRIP TO BERLIN!
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