© Gerhard Brose / pixelio.de Flea market at Schöneberg
Not only for families: Schöneberg
“Rainbow Village” is a fitting name for this neighbourhood in colourful Schöneberg, where as early as in the 1920ies about 40 well known venues existed. From Fugger- and Motzstraße to Maaßenstraße and Nollendorfplatz various bars, clubs, restaurants and shops invite you to enjoy yourself. The district is the Mecca for fetish lovers thus the number and density of such shops. At the same time the streets here are frequented by those who are established, a contrast but not a contradiction – typical Berlin. Historic conscience is displayed by a commemorative tablet for the gay-lesbian victims in the Nazi era “Totgeschlagen-totgeschwiegen” at the underground station Nollendorfplatz. At Motzstraße the rainbow coloured pillar demonstrates queer self esteem, at the intersection Martin-Luther-Straße/Kleiststraße big red ribbons remind of the HIV-victims. The author Christopher Isherwood lived in this area for some time (Nollendorfstraße 17). His “Berlin Stories” supplied the motives for the successful film and musical “Cabaret” known worldwide.
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, who also like to meet at Nah-Bar. A gastronomic newcomer is the Austrian restaurant Gustav (Motzstraße 10) – daily specials from 4,50 Euro! – and Zsa Zsa Burger offering 15 burger variations. The gastronomic palette ranges from classic highlights like 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.
© Rolf-Wenkel/pixelio.de The swimmingpool in the spree at Kreuzberg
Up for 24 hours: Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Friedrichshain
The locals are multicultural, the in scene crowd is young and international. In the former wall district around Oranienstraße you get the typical Kreuzberg feeling. In the evenings you can go out here or in the neighbourhood around Bergmannstraße. The part of Neukölln which borders Kreuzberg is becoming more and more trendy. In the last two years the “Reuter-Kiez” here developed a lively scene with galleries, pubs, cafés like Liberdaand clubs like Silver Future. Meet transvestites at Galerie Studio St. St. or at the trash show at Theater im Keller.
Into the night
An institution of gay-lesbian night life is SchwuZ in Kreuzberg, keep up your standards with a visit. Barbie Bar and cozy Rauschgold are close by. Serene Bar (Saturdays reigned by lesbians) is a classic. Oranienstraße offers oldies but goodies and has space for the new like Café Bar Marianne with motto parties (not only for women). For decades SO36 is number one when it comes to parties of any and every kind, just like next door the cult classic Roses (Oranienstr. 187) is for drinks. Earlier in the evening Möbel-Olfe is the place to be. Another must is Südblock at Kottbusser Tor – you cannot get more Kreuzberg. On your way to Friedrichshain via Oberbaumbrücke, make a pit stop at Barbie Deinhoffs. Right behind the bridge is Karaoke-Bar Monster Ronson’s Sing Inn. Another night life district is around Simon-Dach-Straße with Himmelreich (Tuesdays women’s lounge) or the hanseatic„Männerwirtschaft“ Große Freiheit 114(with dark room). Still a must see is professional transvestite Nina Queer’s Zum schmutzigen Hobby. Leander (Jungstraße 29) just opened with a large menu and extensive breakfast menu. The flea market on Boxhagener Platz in Friedrichshain is perfect for collectors and thrifty buyers on sundays.
© Fragasso/cvisitberlin.de On the way to Prenzlauer Berg
Not only for families: 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.
First dinner, then cruising
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 new restaurant Gleim brings elegance and lightness into the neighbourhood and on the table, only regional products are prepared fresh.
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 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.
