We're certain that you've heard that phrase before. Berlin's reputation as a 'must' place to visit stems not only from the history, but from the diverse and hedonistic club culture, which makes the city such a unique destination to explore and immerse yourself in.
​
To help you to get the most out of your visit and your Berlin experience, below are some tips and advice on navigating the city.
Whilst as in most cities, Google Maps is available to help you navigate, here are a few tips from us:
To get to and from the airport in Berlin, taxis are convenient but not the most cost-effective or speedy choice. The Brandenburg airport features an affordable and efficient train station with frequent ABC zone one-way tickets for just 4€.
In Berlin, the S-Bahn is the surface train, while the U-Bahn is the underground train, both identified by numbers rather than names. If you download the BVG app, you can save some time by buying your train ticket while you go through security (the app is in English!)
For the fastest route to the city, take a Regional train heading to other parts of Germany. Buy an ABC ticket for 4€ and ensure the train stops at Berlin stations where you can change to continue your journey.
Ostkreuz, about 20-25 minutes from the airport, is a convenient transfer point, offering various S-Bahn line options (S3, S5, S7, S9, S41, and S42).
If you need the U-Bahn, you can head to Alexanderplatz via regional trains (as well as many S-Bahn lines).
If you need to get to the U7 from the airport, a short bus ride to Rudow connects you to the line, which spans to Spandau. Every 20 minutes, an S9 train (slow train) stops at various stations en route to Spandau, taking around 40-50 minutes to reach Alexanderplatz. There, you can transfer to the U-Bahn (U2, U5, and U8) or catch trams outside the station.
Berlin has a massive selection of places to stay, from boutique hotels to Airbnbs. Below are just a few of the many options which are located close to specific clubs and that fetish club-goers often comfortably frequent.
Less than 100m from Metropol, this can't be beaten for convenience.
Operated by Radisson, a reliable choice which is also very close to the venue.
Both of the above are a stone's throw from Nollendorfplatz U Bahn (U1, U2, U3, an U4 lines) and the iconic area that surrounds it.
For those who want to be on the doorstep of the KitKat club.
Another great option for KitKat, but a little more economical.
Both are very close to Jannowitzbrücke S-bahn (S3, S5, S7 & S9 lines) and U-bahn (U8) & Henrich-Heine-Strasse (U8) stations.
A popular hotel with fetish-goers, Nhow is located by the River Spree close to Warschauer Strasse. It's a short cab ride to venues such as KitKat and Berghain, though a little further from Metropol.
It is a 10 minute walk to the S & U-bahn stations in Warschauer Strasse. The U1 or U3 would take you to Nollendorfplatz directly opposite the Metropol venue.
A recent new comer and popular with fetish club goers is this boutique hotel. It’s located 70m from Konstanzer Strasse (U7) station, but you would probably find yourself getting a cab to the Metropol or KitKat venues.
At the heart of Berlin culture is the club scene with some legendary techno, kink and fetish clubs which truly make this the place to be for anyone adventurous.
Anyone who likes to party will be familiar with the names Tresor, Berghain and KitKat.
Tresor is located just around the corner from KitKat in Kopenicker Strasse; the nearest U-Bahn station is Heinrich-Heine-Strasse (U8). With its focus on techno rather than kink, it is perhaps the easiest of the clubs to get into.
A significant of hedonistic and kink-based clubbing revolves around the legendary club, the KitKat - located just around the corner from Heinrich-Heine-Strasse (U8) on Brückenstrasse. .
Saturday night at KitKat is regularly attended by Berlin locals and those passing through the city; it creates an entirely different party dynamic. This night offers up a raw, hedonistic vibe accompanied with an exciting element of chaos and unpredictability: no two nights here are the same.
The KitKat hosts events virtually every night of the week. Often you will find the venue divided into two separate clubs with two promoters offering extremely diverse events - one in the basement and one on the extensive ground floor of the venue.
Many fetishists may have also attended events when promoters linked the German Fetish Ball or Wasteland have hosted events in the venue
KitKat operates a strict no phones policy so you need to either leave your phone at home or leave it at the wardrobe/cloakroom (where it will be safely looked after!).
The notorious Berghain is located a short walk from either Ostbahnhof or Warschauer S-bahn stations. Possibly the most famous techno club in the world, Berghain has a reputation of being extremely selective when it comes to getting in, with its legendary door man, Sven Marquardt, striking fear into the hearts of clubbers with the prospect of rejection and many hours of queueing.
Berghain seems to be hosting more special events possibly due to its change of its role at the end of the pandemic when clubbing in Berlin was verboten; it often operated as a gallery or art space. Be mindful, only the Panorama Bar is open on a Friday night.
Things are in full swing come midnight on a Saturday night but expect to face potential hours of queuing with the club remaining open util around 07.00am on a Monday.
Savvy clubbers often go into Berghain between 06.00am until 20.00 on a Sunday.
Sunday nights can be extremely popular and you might only gain entry if you have a stamp from Saturday night.
Berghain has a strong gay vibe and there are occasions/events when only males are permitted into the venue. This male only policy is implemented at Lab,Oratory, a club located at the side of the building. This is an extreme hard core play ground with females being allowed to enter just on two occasions per year.
Despite the club maintaining a strong queer focus and following, a significant amount of the audience is straight or bi-sexual - this fusion results in an amazing atmosphere.
A word of warning or two. There are no mirrors in Berghain perhaps for good reason, and no clocks... Many a flight has been missed by those unable to curtail their hedonistic exploits in a timely fashion..!
- Club Schwuz (Drag Shows and special events)
- Tipsy Bear (Prenzlauer Berg) is a busy energetic bar often with burlesque and drag performances
- Zum Starken August (Prenzlauer Berg) a bar often hosting burlesque performances on Fridays and Saturdays with a welcoming circus atmosphere.
- 44Brekkie - available in Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain (Note: there are no vegan options on the menu)
- Anna Blume (brunch in Prenzlauer Berg)
- Schwarzes Café (Charlottenburg) is open until 03.00am (remember, no cards can be used for payment - cash only!)
Liquidrom is a great spa option, offering a unique room where featuring music played underwater accompanied by light shows. Special events are often hosted by certain DJs or musicians.
Locals and visitors enjoy a post party spa at Vabali (reserve your arrival time, especially on Mondays or you may find yourself in a queue).
- Perhaps the best way to catch most of Berlin’s sights is a hop on, hop off bus tour or via the River Spree on a boat tour.
- Good places to get a bus tour from are CheckPoint Charlie & Alexanderplatz.
- For a boat tour, visit Treptower Park or Friedrichstrasse.
- Museum Island is home to many of Berlin’s museums.
If you plan to visit any tourist location on Monday do check that it is open.
- Schwules Museum, which translates to gay museum has amazing photography and art work.
- The East Side Gallery is located in between Ostbahnhof & Warschauer Strasse. This remaining section of the historical Berlin wall is used as a canvas for artists.
Berlin is home to many fetish designers and stores, allowing you to shop for a wide variety of outfits (and more..!) with ease. Below are some of the options:
It is important to stress that these are just a few options - we are not endorsing, nor are we receiving any incentives, financial or otherwise, from the promotion of anything mentioned below.