My partner Natalie and I recently spent almost a week in Berlin. 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. From pulsating techno clubs and kinky fetish bars, to trendy cocktail venues and steamy sex clubs, the Berlin gay scene has something for everybody.
As I already pointed out, Berlin has been at the centre of LGBT culture since the early s, when the city was the unofficial gay capital of Europe. In the s, 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 In recent years, several other gay districts have popped up around the city and sprinkles of the gay scene can be found everywhere.
Berghain is the most famous nightclub in Germany, notorious for its elusive door policies and hour parties. If you can get past security, a realm of guilty pleasures and techno beats await in the dark depths of the former railway warehouse.
One of the clubs that appears on every gay Berliners must-visit list is Schwuz. Whereas other gay clubs in Berlin have a reputation of being pretentious, Schwuz is anything but, providing nothing but a safe and welcoming space for all. From what we can tell, the club is mostly frequented by young gay men looking to have a good time, however you will find your fair share of lesbians and allies depending on the night. Die Busche is one of the oldest gay establishments in Berlin.
Before reunification, it was the only gay disco in East Germany and has remained somewhat of an institution in gay Berlin ever since. Today, the multi-floored LGBT nightclub attracts a diverse and fun-loving crowd, with every room playing a different genre of music.
