{"id":127581,"date":"2020-06-24T10:11:16","date_gmt":"2020-06-24T10:11:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?p=127581"},"modified":"2023-09-18T18:26:50","modified_gmt":"2023-09-18T18:26:50","slug":"berlin-lgbt-nightlife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/berlin-lgbt-nightlife\/","title":{"rendered":"A backpacker’s guide to Berlin LGBT nightlife"},"content":{"rendered":"

Berlin is the party capital of Europe, famed for being a hedonistic wonderland of sex, drugs, and rockin’ techno. If you’re an LGBT traveller looking to let your hair down and have a good time, it’s hard to think of a place better suited than Berlin. The German capital has been considered a gay hotspot since the early 1900s, and Berlin’s LGBT nightlife continues to thrive.<\/p>\n

My partner Natalie and I recently spent almost a week in Berlin. As a lesbian couple who’ve grown up in the UK, you’d think we’d be accustomed to liberal attitudes regarding our sexuality. However, Berlin’s tolerant and open-minded culture is on a whole other level. You come as you are in Berlin and nobody blinks an eye. A city that encourages your uniqueness and welcome diversity. Oh, we are so here for that.<\/p>\n

\"Berlin<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@ourtasteforlife<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

So what can you expect from LGBT Berlin<\/a>? A no-holds-barred gay scene, that’s what. From pulsating techno clubs and kinky fetish bars, to trendy cocktail venues and steamy sex clubs, the Berlin gay scene has something for everybody. Ultimately, it’s a city where LGBT travellers<\/a> can experience the true meaning of freedom.<\/p>\n

In this article, I’ll be sharing the best of Berlin’s gay nightlife. From the original ‘gaybourhood’ of Schoneberg to the urban streets of Kreuzberg, I’ll be digging up the best gay bars, nightclubs and parties. Let’s get to it!<\/p>\n

\"Berlin<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@ourtasteforlife<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Berlin’s original \u2018gaybourhood\u2019<\/h2>\n

It’s no secret that Berlin is a city steeped in history and its LGBT scene is certainly no different. As I already pointed out, Berlin has been at the centre of LGBT culture since the early 1900s, when the city was the unofficial gay capital of Europe.<\/p>\n

You see, Berlin has been a city of ‘firsts’ on the road to LGBT equality. The world\u2019s first gay magazine Der Eigene<\/em><\/strong><\/a> was published here as early as 1896. In the 1920s, Berlin became the first city in the world to have a gay district, and Schoneberg went on to host the first-ever gay demonstration in 1922.<\/p>\n

In recent years, several other gay districts have popped up around the city and sprinkles of the gay scene can be found everywhere. Yet, Schoneberg remains the beating heart of Berlin’s LGBT culture. It’s here you’ll find many gay bars, nightclubs, shops, cafes, and hotels. All the major LGBT events such as LGBT Park Festival<\/strong><\/a> and Berlin Gay Pride<\/strong><\/a> take place here. Jeez, if you visit in December, you’ll even find an LGBT Christmas market!<\/p>\n

\"Berlin<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@ourtasteforlife<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The best gay clubs in Berlin<\/h2>\n

1. Berghain & Panorama Bar<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n

Berghain is the most famous nightclub in Germany, notorious for its elusive door policies and 48-hour parties. It was once an exclusively gay nightclub, however these days it’s more of an ‘anybody who likes to party’ venue. But that’s not to say that a large percentage of the clientele aren’t still LGBT. Everybody who’s anybody wants a peek inside this enigmatic venue, often regarded as one of the best nightclubs in the world. If you can get past security, a realm of guilty pleasures and techno beats await in the dark depths of the former railway warehouse.<\/p>\n