Looking for the other end of the rainbow in gay Berlin? Here’s our selection of the best addresses!
The exuberant German capital is a pioneer in the liberation of morals. It embodies the heart of tolerance and diversity. Are you looking for an LGBT destination for a stay away from judgment and sidelong glances? Discover gay Berlin! Here, the most diverse cultures meet, mix and mingle in an eternal spirit of celebration. Berliners are renowned for their good humor and open-mindedness. As for Berlin’s gay venues, where tourists and locals meet, they are numerous both day and night.
The lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, intersex and assimilated community will gladly open the doors to Berlin’s best LGBT places to go out and have fun in complete freedom.
Berlin must-sees
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Before setting out to discover Berlin’s gay addresses, take time to explore the capital and its emblematic landmarks. The megalopolis has preserved much of its rich past. Several must-see monuments remind visitors of key moments in its history. The famous Brandenburg Gate dominates the majestic Pariser Platz. Not far from there is the Reichstag Palace. Another major landmark is the imposing Berliner Dom cathedral.
The Holocaust Memorial is a reminder of one of the greatest tragedies of the last century. But Berlin is also an innovative, forward-looking city. That’s why the Berlin Wall, one of the capital’s symbols, is now covered in colorful frescoes at the East Side Gallery. A vestige of a painful past, this part of the wall has become the symbol of a strong, unified Germany.
For unmissable yet unusual visits, take a tour of the city’s underground passages or visit Tempelhof. This former airport is now a huge promenade.
Gay activities in Berlin
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After a day exploring Berlin’s center, enrich your stay with an original program. Looking for LGBT activities in Berlin? The possibilities are numerous. If you’re a curious history buff, book a gay walking or cycling tour. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover Berlin’s LGBT culture in just a few hours, all in a friendly atmosphere. Continue your cultural tour with a visit to the Schwules Museum. This is the first gay museum devoted entirely to the history of homosexuals.
For shopping enthusiasts, head to Boxer Berlin (Eisenacher Str. 11) or Boyz R Us (Maassenstrasse 8). Or take a trip to Bruno’s(Maaßenstraße 14), a gay supermarket with a difference.
Berlin’s gay districts
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Although the city as a whole is gay-friendly, there are a number of neighborhoods where the LGBT community is more likely to congregate than elsewhere. Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg and Kreuzberg are home to many gay addresses. But it’s above all in the Schöneberg district that homosexuals from here and elsewhere meet up for a drink, a bite to eat, a stroll or a dance until the early hours of the morning. And with good reason: it’s the capital’s leading LGBT district.
If you’re looking for accommodation for your gay stay in Berlin, this is also the location of many well-known queer hotels. These include the Banana Berlin Gay Guesthouse with its pop art decor, and Tom’s Hotel. But there are other attractive areas in Berlin, perfect for a colorful stay.
Addresses of gay restaurants in Berlin
Photo credit: Facebook / Sissi – Restaurant
Appetite knows no gender, nor sexual orientation. Whether you’re gay or straight, when your stomach cries out, the only thing that can soothe it is a good meal. To discover one of Berlin’s best gay-friendly addresses, head to November, located in the Prenzlauer Berg district. This café serves delicious breakfasts. The perfect way to start the day or end a long night of partying.
Located in Schöneberg, Raststätte Gnadenbrot is the ideal place to enjoy typical German cuisine in an atmosphere of sharing and tolerance. Another restaurant not to be missed in gay Berlin: Sissi. The dishes are hearty and delicious. To round off our tour of Schöneberg’s LGBT addresses, don’t miss Café Berio and its pleasant terrace.
Addresses of gay bars in Berlin
Photo credit: Facebook / Grosse Freiheit 114
Drinking, laughing and flirting, Berlin’s bars are a veritable institution. There are plenty of unmissable addresses, and you’ll have no trouble finding a gay bar in Berlin simply by wandering through the illuminated evening streets. One of Berlin’s most popular bars is Möbel Olfe. Every Tuesday, it organizes lesbian evenings, while Thursdays are devoted to gay boys.
For more daring evenings out, head to Sheune and Grosse Freiheit 114. Both are dedicated to sexual freedom and naughty experimentation. Leather and uniform fans will find what they’re looking for at Reizbar and Mutshmanns.
Addresses of gay nightclubs in Berlin
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Berlin never sleeps. In Germany’s capital, nights are for partying and adventures of all kinds. That’s why many of Berlin’s gay clubs, such as Connection Club and Die Bushe, are so popular. And if you’re a fan of electronic music, be sure to visit the world temple of techno: the Berghain. Once you’ve entered this legendary venue after a long, apprehensive wait, there are no rules. In almost complete darkness, bodies mingle in a fragmented dance. The walls vibrate, the floor shakes and the music plunges the crowd into a strange trance.
Not far from there, you’ll find the Lab.Oratory, a very special place that hosts numerous fetish parties. The special thing about it is that you enter in Adam’s clothes, to make it easier to meet people. Other addresses that will put your shyness to shame are Schwuss and Kitkat Club.
Berlin’s gay nightlife
Photo credit: Facebook / Boiler Berlin
After so many sleepless nights, it’s time to relax. The best-known places for relaxation in Berlin’s gay community are, of course, the saunas. The most popular of these is undoubtedly the Boiler. Never empty, it welcomes an international clientele. Another gay bathhouse in Berlin is theArtemis Sauna club. Of course, these are not classic saunas, but rather meeting places and more.
If you’d rather relax in the fresh air and enjoy nature, Berlin has plenty of LGBT-friendly beaches. These include Strandbad Wannsee, a sandy beach. It even has a nudist zone where the gay community has taken to gathering to enjoy the sun and fresh air in good company. Take a stroll along the Sprue and discover the many lesbian and gay beaches along the river in summer.
LGBT events in Berlin
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What would the gay capital be without such a rich cultural and events calendar? Gender freedom is celebrated all year round in Berlin. Of course, there’s the Gay Pride(Christopher Street Day), held every July since 1979. It’s one of Europe’s most important gay events. A few days before the official parade, you can attend the Lesbian and Gay City Festival, which takes place around Nollendorfplatz. The event offers a varied program of musical and artistic performances, street food, information stands and more.
Visiting gay Berlin in September? Don’t miss Folsom Berlin, Europe’s biggest fetish festival. If you extend your stay into October, you can even attend the famous Hustlaball. Finally, note that Berlin’s major LGBT clubs regularly organize special evenings that attract many queer tourists. One of these is L Tunes: a lesbian evening held every month at different venues around the capital.
Other gay addresses in Berlin
Photo credit: Facebook / Eisenherz Berlin
Germany’s capital has countless exciting places to visit.
- To find out all about gay Berlin, you can visit The Jaxx (Motzstrasse 19), Berlin’s first gay and sex cinema. More than just a place to watch videos, the venue also boasts private cabins, a backroom and an adult boutique.
- Nearby, take a trip to the city’s oldest gay bookshop: Prinz Eisenherz. A benchmark for queer literature.
- Another less cheerful site is well worth a visit: the memorial to homosexuals persecuted during the Nazi period. It’s one of many places dedicated to Nazi history, set up in the city to help us better understand and avoid repeating the horrors of the past.