Berlin calling

A melting pot of cultures, a vivid history, and one of the most dynamic LGBTQ scenes in Europe, what's not to love about Berlin? misterb&b hosts, Istvan and Gunnar, are based in the German capital, and give us the inside scoop on how to best experience this thriving hub. Explore Berlin, experience your pride.

How gay-friendly is your city? What’s gay life like there?

Berlin is absolutely stunning when it comes to gay life. You can dress and act as you like and be your true self all the time, people appreciate and cherish diversity here. This makes Berlin interesting every day; it is a global melting pot of cultures and identities.

What are the best gay events that take place in your city each year?

Folsom, Christopher Street Day, and Christopher Street Festival are the best major gay events of the year. However, all year long there are smaller, cozier events taking place, including Park Fest and Gay Night at the Zoo.

_{© Flickr/mw238}

We only have 48 hours in your city. What can’t we miss?

If you only have 48 hours in Berlin, I recommend crying a bit, then quickly changing your flight ticket as you will fall in love with this city and never want to leave. Start your day in one of the world's best coffee shops, Berlin will cater to all needs ranging from vegan to extravagant. If you are the cultural type, museum island, modern art museums and underground collections will satisfy your needs. For an overview of the city, you can easily take bus 100 or 200 to catch the best sights of Berlin.

If you fancy experiencing the green side of the city, have a picnic in any of Berlin’s parks or beside one of the city's lakes. There are 88 lakes in Berlin, so you're sure to find one which will make your stay truly special! Like to party all day long? You can do so in Berlin, especially in summer when there are many parties that never end. A day without a party is no day in Berlin, this city never sleeps, and as a techno capital you're sure to find plenty of great techno clubs. There are also many other clubs which offer different musical genres including reggae or pop.

Day two can be very easy going: do some shopping in Mitte or in Kudam (the shopping street of Berlin) or just escape the city and visit any of the 17 castles of Potsdam, the official residence of the Prussian King and German Kaiser until 1918. You can even hop on any of the boats cruising the Spree river, and get to know Berlin with a good German beer on a boat ride.

Still full of energy? How about some outdoor salsa or tango dancing next to the river Spree? If dancing is not your thing, you can have a couple of drinks here, then go bar hopping in the Schöneberg district, where you'll find the majority of gay bars, themed nights and handsome men!

What’s your favorite gay place to grab a bite for lunch? A nice dinner?

Definitely, an Italian restaurant called Il Ritrovo. They sell some of the best pizzas in Berlin. It is just great to sit outside and have a drink and a pizza, while flirting with the pedestrians passing by.

_{© Flickr/Rebecca Rosen}

A gay place for brunch on weekends?

For great brunch we like to travel to the other side of the city. Sets is an excellent place to have fancy brunch with champagne. Plus, the chance is quite high that you'll meet some famous German celebrities dining there!

Best gay place and day for a cheap beer or happy hour?

BettyF in Mitte offers a good mood no matter what day it is. The place is very small and a bit hidden, but it won't disappoint. It has Kölsch beer and great cocktails. Since it is so tiny, you can easily meet people and mingle.

We’re ready to party! What are the best gay clubs?

Berlin is big on theme parties, each weekend has several specific parties which return monthly or bi-monthly. If you like techno, About Blank and Berghain are offering the best of the best DJs, and the crowd is very alternative. If you prefer something more mainstream, SchwuZ or GMF are your best bets. The have contemporary mostly pop music, beautiful people, and a good mood.

_{© Flickr/James Dennes}

What are the best alternative gay bars and clubs where you live?

Despite KitKat having a mixed audience, it always offers a great choice of music and more. If you respect the dress code, you will most likely have a great night there. Alternative parties are CockTail, Members, and Pornceptual, and despite only happening once per month you have a good chance of attending one of these cultural phenomena. They are all easily reachable and offer more alternative vibes and people than the more mainstream clubs...

Are there any places related to LGBTQ history?

Berlin is an open history book. The high days of the rolling 1920s and 1930s are still present in the Schöneberg district of Berlin. The first gay museum in the world was opened in Berlin in 1985. There are plenty of memorials commemorating Berlin's Gay history.

Any beaches, parks or best other places to chill out?

Berlin offers many parks and 88 lakes to relax and chill at. Müggelsee in the east or Wannsee in the west are great choices. The city also has several parks and lakes for people who like to enjoy nature in the nude as well!

Where can we get the best view of Berlin?

For views of Berlin, head to either the Reichstag Building (free to visit, but need to register) or the Berlin Dom. Both offer stunning views of the city. For a bird's eye view of the city, you can take the elevator to the top of Berlin's highest building/tower, the iconic Fernsehturm.

Thinking of visiting Berlin? Check out more Local Tips and Travel Guide page for this great gay city!  

STAY SOCIAL!

Don't forget to add us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Follow us for exclusive content, special offers and share your travel pictures using the hashtag #ExperienceYourPride. We love seeing what you get up to on your misterb&b vacation. We'll share some of the best pics with our global LGBT travel community!