© Gerhard Brose / pixelio.de Flea market at Schöneberg
Fetish & Establishment: Schöneberg
„Rainbow Village“ in Berlin Schöneberg is a sound name for this multicoloured district. From Fuggerstraße to Motzstraße right up to Nollendorfplatz with Maaßenstraße and Nollendorfplatz various bars and clubs, restaurants and shops invite you to shop and enjoy the district. It is famous all over the world as a neighbourhood that has become the mekka for all kinds of fetish lovers, the numerous specialised shops serving this clientele speak for themselves! At the same time the streets are filled with an established crowd, a contrast but not a contradiction. At Nollendorfplatz you are made aware of history in the form of a memorial reminding us of the gay-lesbian victims under the Nazi regime: „Totgeschlagen – totgeschwiegen“ (beaten to death – never again mentioned). At Motzstraße a stele in the colours of the rainbow demonstrates gay pride.At the intersection of Martin-Luther-Straße and Kleiststraße big red ribbons remind us of those who died from HIV. The author Christopher Isherwood lived in this neighbourhood for some time (Nollendorfstraße 17) his “Berlin Stories“ provided the setting for the worldwide film and musical success „Cabaret“.
Diversity is tradition here
The book shop Eisenherz with a vast selection for any kind of sexual orientation is an institution in Schöneberg. Begine is a culture centre for women only. Gastronomic venues range from Café Berio to Heile Welt, Hafen and HarDie’s Kneipe to the more down to earth Windows and the chic restaurant More. The Inn Gnadenbrot is a more rustic place. Real blokes meet at various locations like Bull, Mutschmanns, New Action, Prinzknecht, Scheune, Tom’s Bar, Prinzknecht, Reizbar or Woof. New places in town are CDL-Bar and Maxxx Bar.
The corner pub Blond gives the neighbourhood a more fashionable 70ies touch and the gay table dance bar Angel’s Club gives it an erotic touch. New to the “Kiez” is Pooky’s.
© Rolf-Wenkel/pixelio.de The swimmingpool in the spree at Kreuzberg
Queer & international: Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Friedrichshain
Under the motto “the caravan moves on“ Kreuzbergs revival is in full flow. The locals are multicultural, the hipsters are young and from all over the world. The former „Mauerkiez“(neighbourhood at the wall) around Oranienstraße has the typical Kreuzberg atmosphere, also in the daytime at for example Café Pfeiffers for coffee and cake. At night it is lively here or around Bergmannstraße, perfect for going out. The part of Neukölln adjoining Kreuzberg has become the new place to be. Within the last two years „Reuter Kiez“ has become a lively neighbourhood with galleries, pubs, cafés like Liberda and clubs like Silver Future. Typical Berlin: in Weserstraße watch exciting art performances in Su de Coucou or crazy fun transvestite shows in Theater im Keller.
legendary nightlife
SchwuZ in Kreuzberg is an institution in the gay-lesbian nightlife scene, a visit is standard procedure. Barbie Bar and cozy Rauschgold are close by. Serene Bar (Saturdays ruled by lesbians) is a classic place to hit. Oranienstraße offers oldies but goodies and every so often something new. Oriental Party “Gayhane” is a most popular event at SO36 since many years (once a month), the awesome bar Roses nereby is the place to go for drinks. Earlier in the evening recommendable places are Luzia and Möbel-Olfe. An interesting newcomer in this neighbourhood is Südblock at Kottbusser Tor – there is no way you can experience more Kreuzberg. Oberbaumbrücke (a Berlin site itself) takes you across the river to Friedrichshain, on the way pop into Barbie Deinhoffs. Right behind the bridge you arrive at Monster Ronson’s Sing Inn, a Karaoke bar. In the nightlife neighbourhood around Simon-Dach-Straße, these are the places to go to: Himmelreich (Tuesdays women’s lounge) or the more Hanseatic men’s pub (with darkroom) „Männerwirtschaft“ Große Freiheit 114 . The Bar Zum schmutzigen Hobby runned by Drag-Queen Nina Queer is a must, also after the location change from Prenzlauer Berg. Another all time favourite for sundays is the fleamarket at Boxhagener Platz.
© Fragasso/cvisitberlin.de On the way to Prenzlauer Berg
Pram & Harness: Prenzlauer Berg
Prenzlauer Berg is a Berlin district with its very own flair, even though it is not mainly queer, at least not in daylight.There is an abundance of young families with children living in the district. Especially at the weekends with two big fleamarkets located at Mauerpark and Arkonaplatz, the neighbourhood is packed with people. The density of pubs is legendary, there is even something for the in-crowd. For instance the bar Marietta in the retro style of the sixties, Wednesday is the favourite day to come here. Guests also like to amuse themselves on the pavement in front. On Mondays it is quieter - and more lesbian. Gay boys value the relaxed atmosphere in Flax with its diverse events reaching from brunch to party.
Dine and Cruise
In the vicinity, restaurant November offers a hearty cuisine. Its location at the corner of Husemann- and Sredzkistraße make it a perfect place to stop for coffee and cake or to have a good breakfast and watch Berliners passing by. The atmosphere in the bar Perle is ideal as a launching pad for nightclubbing. If Karaoke and Bingo are more up your road then Marienhofis the place to go, with a room for smokers. An awsome new entry is the bar Trauerspiel. Queens Club and Café is an address for „women and friends“with regular parties. Privatleben, a bar where the erotic colour red rules is one of the favoured locations in the neighbourhood. Schall und Rauch in Gleimstraße is famous for its interior design as well as its yummie breakfast buffet, so it is always really crowded on weekends. Stiller Don is the typical place to meet in a pleasant atmosphere, quite full on Mondays. Villis is liked by locals and visitors because of its 70ies interior. For those who want more and feel like cruising and make closer contact, there is Greifbar or Stahlrohr 2.0, Cocks or Darkroom.
