Berlin
We’ve Listed some of the hottest gay bars and clubs in Town for you
In Berlin there are lots of cool gay bars, also many new berlin clubs are more gay than straight. To get an better insight in where to go to in Berlin just take a look at our Top 10 Below. Further information is also to be found on www.berlin-life.com. If you´re visiting Berlin you are more than welcome to stay in our cosy hostel in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg. To book a room in the EastSeven Berlin Hostel just klick here. For more information on Events and parties in Berlin please check our staff-recommendations!!
1.Hafen
Probably the most established gay club in the whole of Berlin, Hafen remains popular despite the increasing amount of competition. Its location in the heart of Schoneburg’s pink district means that it’s unlikely to lose its steam anytime soon. The louche interior, decorated with everything from leopardskin wallpaper to portraits of chairman Mao and punctuated with plenty of candlelit corners, provides a flirty meeting spot. Hafen gets extra cult status for allegedly being visited by the real life Sally Bowles back in those heady days of cabaret…
2.Berghain Club
Touted by many as the best club in Berlin, Berghain is definitely not for asthmatic, weedy types who were always trying to skip gym. In this industrial-style warehouse club you’ll find the hardest of Berlin’s hardcore pushing squares ’til way past breakfast time. The beats are relentless, the atmosphere hedonistic… And the crowd? Well you’re never quite sure if the menacing, bare-chested toyboys are scowling at you, or eyeing you up. Upstairs in the Panorama bar, things are very slightly more civilized – but not much. A friendly crowd processes packets of chemicals into buckets of sweat way into the following day!
3.Kit Kat Club
The Kit Kat Club in Berlin is one of those rare clubs that has achieved legendary status before it’s even been closed. It can chart it’s history back to 1994 when a rather liberal Austrian couple decided to try and combine two scenes together: the hippy vibes of a Goa trance party and the hardcore love action of a fetish night. Well you can probably guess the rest. Although the orgies these days are said to be tamer than of old, let’s just say that should someone offers you two fingers or four, it’s nothing to do with a Nestle chocolate biscuit. If you are planning on paying KitKat Club a visit please note that only highly original, and revealing, glamour/fetish outfits will get you past the door.
4.SchwuZ
As much a serious music club as a gay hangout, SchwuZ hosts an impressive programme of dance parties week-in week-out, each with their own agenda and loyal crowd. But whether you find yourself at London Calling, Funky Beats Inc or more cheesy offerings such as Madonna Mania you’ll find the atmosphere friendly and relaxed, and the prices unpretentious. Dykes in search of Deutsche divas won’t want to miss out on the monthly L-tunes mash up, when some of the prettiest things in the city come out to play. You can find SchwuZ opposite Berlin’s Gay Museum.
5.Berio
‘Enjoy, relax, flirt’ is the tagline of this upmarket cafe in the heart of Schoneburg’s gay district, and it’s hard to do anything otherwise when the sun is out and Berlin’s finest are sipping cocktails on the famous Berio terrace. And whereas the outdoor seating steals the lime – as well as the sun – light, the sophisticated two tone interior of hard wood floors and white walls is also a rather nice place to enjoy a beverage. All in all a superior blip on the gaydar.
6.Das Haus B
Formerly known as Die Busche (‘the Bush’), this primarily lesbian shrine made a name for itself during the GDR days as a place to let loose underneath the fabric of Communist society. Now known as Das Haus B, the club’s attitude and agenda hasn’t changed much – it’s still famous as the biggest and cheesiest gay disco in Berlin. Derided by some as a camp dinosaur, Das Haus B may not be the most sophisticated address in town but try telling that to the hundreds of youngsters who keep coming back for more. Leave the airs and graces at home and you’ll struggle to have a bad time.
7.GMF
This famous dance party is a must for house and techno fans, with glamour and good vibes in abundance. The action normally takes place on Sundays at Weekend club.
8.Bangaluu
The bed restaurant concept has made a successful splash in Berlin in the shape of Bangaluu Dinnerclub. A decadent shrine to relaxation and sensual pleasure, Bangaluu’s guests are cordially invited to recline Roman Emperor-stylee on spotless white linened beds (they must be a bugger to get clean!) and feast on succulent snacks such as wasabi and avocado sushi. Once your appetite has been satisfied feel free to flag down a masseuse for a soothing body rub, or sit up and pay attention to whatever show is being put on that night. Divas, dancers and even male strippers are regular entertainers here.
9.Rio
Woken up on a complete stranger’s couch fully dressed, stinking of smoke with a throbbing headache, bloodshot eyes and no memory of the night before? Blame it on Rio. In a city that’s not short of anarchic venues Rio must rate amongst the best for sheer we-don’t-give-a-damn-how-we-feel-tomorrow revelry. Rock up to this divey, ramshackle den of a club and you’ll soon find yourself embroiled in a world of crazy sounds and deeds as live punk acts and underground electro DJs unleash audio chaos on the up-for-it masses. Let the mayhem begin… Again.
10.SO36
SO36 has one of the most diverse programmes of any club in Berlin, and although popular with the queer community is by no means an exclusively gay venue. Everything from ragga and hip hop concerts, through to karaoke and gay Muslim nights, take place under SO36′s renowned roof, with the weekly Sunday party Cafe Fatal proving particularly popular. If you go clubbing in Kreuzberg, the chances are you’ll end up here no matter what day of the week it is. Oh, and in case you were wondering about the enigmatic name, SO36 takes its moniker from a now extinct postal code of the area.
(Text: Berlin-life.com)
