Text: Joe Lam

Before I made my virgin (oo-err!) trip to Berlin, everyone said to me “You will love it!” To be honest, I knew nothing about Germany before going there, apart from they like to eat sausages like we do and they drink alot of beer! I also remember the golden statue of victory from German director Win Wenders’s movie, Wings of Desire. The classic U2 music video, Stay (Faraway, So Close!) was also shot in Berlin, and of course who could forget the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, and the thousands of free east Berliners pouring into the west.

After spending five days in Berlin, did I like it? Hell yes, I loved it! In fact, I loved it so much I can’t wait to go back again. Why? First of all I fell in love with the old architecture and the Berliners’ laid back lifestyle. Of course it’s full of stylish fashionistas everywhere (probably because I went there during fashion week). Ok! Let’s see what I found for you!

Sights

One of the landmarks of Berlin, The Siegessäule, golden statue of victory, was built to commemorate the Prussian victory in wars against Austria and France. The top of the statue offers a fabulous view of Berlin, and you mustn’t miss the Tiergarten (Animal Garden) right next to thestatue. This is the biggest park in Berlin and and its most famous cruising area. The Lion Bridge is where you can find the action, and tons of used condoms on the ground. You can also see naked sunbathers at the other side of the park, and at the east end you can find a memorial for homosexuals persecuted by the Nazis between 1933 and 1945. The memorial is a concrete cuboid with a window created by Michael Elmgreen and Ingmar Dragset, through the window (which, apparently, homophobes are continually vandalising), one sees a video of two men kissing.

A few minutes walk from the gay memorial you can find The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. This amazing monument, designed by New York architect Peter Eisenman, is built from 2711 concrete blocks. If you keep walking to the east, you will hit the Unter Den Linden boulevard which houses the Russian Embassy, the Berlin State Opera, the Berlin State Library, St. Hedwig’s Catherdral and Humboldt University. The flowers on the Linden Tress spread their marvellous fragrance over both sides of the road.

The East Side Gallery consists of graffiti paintings on the standing pieces of what’s left of the Berlin Wall (Berlinermauer), made by artists from 21 countries.

Berlinagenten (www.berlinagenten.de) offers customised gay lifestyle tours which can take in the very best of what Berlin has to offer for shopping, dining and nightlife.

Where to Eat

Borchardt (Französische Str. 47, Mitte, Berlin)
This is a popular dining venue for celebrities from all walk of life, situated on the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt. The decor is luxurious with high ceilings, multi-coloured mosaics and comfortable seating. The cuisine lends itself to modern Italian and French cuisine but also their Wiener schnitzel is said to be the best in town if you like it large and juicy…if you know what I mean!

Monsieur Voung (www.monsieurvuong.de)
Asian food has become hip cuisine in this city, and Monsieur Voung is one of those “Must Go” Vietnamese restaurants on the list. Clients can taste real Asian food cooked from fresh ingredients, and they also serve Vietnamese beer and coffee. Prices are reasonable, and I would recommend that you book in advance.

Café am Neuen See
The biggest beer garden in Berlin, located at the south of the Tiergarten, by the lake. This was an ideal spot for a perfect sunny day in summer, and I’m sure that this venue would be glorious when the leaves change colour in the autumn. This self-service café offers pizza, pasta, salad, roast pork, sausages and meat loaf. Food is overpriced, but OK! forget the food! You come here for the atmosphere and beer.

Where to Sleep

Andel’s Hotel (www.andelsberlin.com)
Completely unlike an old, boring, traditional big hotel. Andel’s hotel was designed by British architects Jestico and Whiles, and when you step into the fabulous lobby, with massive comfy sofas and a golden reception, you know you won’t be disappointed spending a couple of nights here. They even have four computers next to the lobby, to help you keep in touch with your friends on facebook. Of course they also have a fabulous spa and gym.

If you want have a look of the stunning city view, you can make your way up to Sky Bar where you can enjoy cocktails and snacks as well.

Axel Hotel (www.axelhotels.com/berlin)
This stylish heterofriendly hotel is located in the heart of the gay area, Schöneberg. Axel provide 86 stylish rooms, all with wi-fi, plasma TV, and of course a comfortable king size bed for one’s beauty sleep.

Tom’s Hotel (www.toms-hotel.de)
This hotel also located at Schöneberg which near the famous KaDeWe department store. Tom’s exudes the warm feeling of home, and offers small but pleasant rooms and free wireless Internet. You will also get a Hotel Pass to get discounts at bars, cafés, saunas, and even free drinks. Most important, the staff are friendly and helpful.

Nightlife

Many Europeans come to Berlin for clubbing. Berlin has 5 major gay areas: Schöneberg, Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Mitte. Pick up couple of free magazines in the bars – you will amazed how many parties go on in this city every night! Bear night, sex club, fetish club, dance club, ballroom dancing…… Some fetish clubs also have mixed nights, so make sure you find the correct date to walk into the club.
Many clubs and bars in Berlin have dark rooms, so remember to bring your condoms! Play Safe!

Panorama Bar (www.berghain.de)
This is the most famous club in Berlin, and I have had been told this is the best club in Europe. This enormous club is built inside a former power plant. The basement is a giant darkroom for those who don’t feel like dancing. Remember that there are long queues on weekends, but it is worth the wait!

SchwuZ (http://www.schwuz.de)
If you are sick of muscle mary and techno clubs, try SchwuZ, which is like Ghetto Club in London. The best time to go is for their monthly event, London Calling. The DJ spins music from 70s, 80s, 90s, indie music, pop and German music. Clientele are mainly young and stylish boys. Good vibe, good music and cheap drinks!

Flax (http://www.flax-berlin.de)
Flax’s somewhat boring exterior is a disguise for the fun to be had inside. Highlights are wednesdays pasta buffets, topless service-boy fridays and a big sunday brunch buffet. On the first friday if each month Flax hosts a big karaoke party of (mostly) young guys; a photo gallery on the website tells the story.

Shopping

Kurfürstendamm (www.kurfuerstendamm.de)
The famous shopping avenues is like Berlin’s version of the Champs-Élysées. From high street fashion such H & M to designer shops like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel and tons of department stores, Kurfürstendamm has it all. You can easily, spend a day shopping til you drop.

Alexanderplatz (www.berlin-alexanderplatz.de)
This is a public square right in the centre of Mitte. You can find the Alexa shopping mall which opened in 2007, and next to Alexanderplatz, Weinmeisterstraße is the most trendy part of Berlin. There are many interesting local designers’ shops as well as Fred Perry, Adidas Originals and Muji. This area is also a good place to take a break from retail therapy and take in the atmosphere over a coffee.

Eisenherz (Lietzenburger Str. 9a, 10789 Berlin)
The biggest gay & Lesbian bookshop in town, this shop carries a good selection of English books. They also sell post cards, magazines, comics, photo books and DVDs.