Berlin: If You Love History and Techno, You Must Visit Here.

If you’ve spoken to me about travelling, I’ve likely told you about Berlin. I picked Berlin as my destination for two reasons: to experience and learn more about Germany’s rich history and cultural hotspot, and to immerse myself in the world-class techno scene. This post was delayed for so long after the trip because no matter how or what I write, I don’t think I can describe my feelings or experiences in full. It just wouldn’t be a fair description. But, let me try.

The History & Culture:

Berlin was unlike any other city I’ve been to. You can feel its grit, and at the same time, so much vibrancy. Everything is of reaction to its past, and for Berlin that includes the past of WWII and the Cold War – you can actually feel the eeriness sometimes. There’s definitely been a recent boom in gentrification, but the people are actually anti-capitalists. Cool as fuck people, laid back, with a “no-bullshit” attitude. Everywhere you go, you see murals, paints, anarchist symbols, sculptures, pieces that make you question your values. Berlin has been through so much, but its people are strong, and resilient. The city is powerfully liberal and progressive. “Be as you are.”

Did you know..?

• The barbed wire, which was the foundation of the Berlin Wall that divided millions of people from their friends and families for 28 years, was created overnight? Unless you were rich or were influential, where you slept the night before dictated where you would be stuck for the next decade
  
• Berlin has a culture of squat houses? That some still exist? When the Berlin Wall fell, lots of buildings from East Germany became abandoned and that’s when squatting became really popular. “Squatters ran collectively governed microcosms complete with their own housing cooperatives, ‘people’s kitchens’, and print publications. These communities were typically united by politically charged agendas, oriented towards anti-Free Nationalist (Neo-Nazi), anti-capitalist, feminist, or other radical objectives” (see more here).
  
• The anti-gentrification movement is really, really strong. One example – Blu, a famous graffiti mural artist, painted over one of his and Berlin’s most iconic pieces in protest of new building projects. The building projects were blowing up real estate prices because of its proximity and view of the mural. So Blue painted over it in protest. (see here)
  
• Heinrich Heine, a German writer, wrote the following quote in a play in year 1821, “Das war ein Vorspiel nur, dort wo man Bücher verbrennt, verbrennt man am Endeauch Menschen.” (in English: “That was only a prelude; where they burn books, they will in the end also burn people”). A plaque with the same quote engraved is set on the floor of Bebelplatz plaza, to remember the massive book burning took that place there in 1933. The burning was part of a campaign to destroy all literature deemed “Un-German” by a student organization that was a part of the Nazi movement.
  

I stayed in the Friedrichshain area which I 100% recommend. Lots of cool cafes, bars, food spots, shops, and clubs.. which brings me to my next section.

World’s Capital of Techno – The Scene:

If you’ve been to Berlin or inquired about its nightlife scene, you’ll know that some of the clubs have a stringent door policy. Target crowd: a vibe. What’s the vibe? How do I even describe it? Think grungy, chill, laid back, cool, and “hard” enough to handle what’s inside. This is NOT the city to bring your stilettos to clubs or to flex your Rolex and Moncler jacket. This is NOT the city to be partying at the rooftop of Soho House (I was there and it was dead. How I ended up there is another story of how I ended up with two privileged Trump-supporting Wall Street boys).

Come join me for a quick ride through Berlin’s best spots!

The first night I arrived in Berlin (stayed at Berlin Plus). I luckily met an awesome cool guy in my dorm. He kindly and easily agreed with me to check out some techno parties. It was a Wednesday night. He was leaving at 8AM for the airport the next morning. Fuck it. We’re heading out.

Club der Visionäre:

A gorgeous cool bar by the riverside, bordered by colourful lit trees. A DJ was spinning some chill-house at the booth where a small floor of sweaty dancers grooved. On the multi-level deck were people of all ages. I still remember seeing a woman, who looked like she could be my grandmother’s age, wearing a black cropped tank top and blue denim shorts, just smoking a rolled cigarette, sipping beer with her friends and thinking wow, this is rad.

About Blank://

Thankfully, the guy I met knew some German so we passed through the entrance pretty easily. Your phone’s camera(s) get taped with a red sticker. No photos/videos allowed or you’re kicked out. It’s pretty much a given in a lot of places, but some clubs like this one will put a sticker. (This is why none of the photos in this section are mine.) On the outside, it looks like shabby small warehouse. Inside, there were multi-dance floors and a huge (and I mean possibly bigger than the club itself huge) backyard with funky couches and old vehicles. Pretty cool spot. It was pretty empty as it was Wednesday but we stayed until 5am. As the sun rose, I made him hold my hand as we walked back to our hostel until our hands got too sweaty. Cute and tired. Don’t remember if I got the chance to say thank you, but thanks for being my first friend in the city 🙂

Tresor Berlin: 

Walked through town alone and made it to the line at Tresor on a Saturday night around 1AM. Got in (psyched!). I remember lots of stairs, a long tunnel with fizzling lights. There were two dance floors. One was more spacious and more lit up. The other one was a dark foggy dungeon room – found my vibe! If you ever get a chance to go there, a great spot was the ramp on the right side in front of the DJ, or far back on a step. It gives you some breathing room to have your head over all these warm bodies. (Tip: If you don’t get in the first time and you’re shameless enough, just line up again and switch clothes with someone. A few friends who came later said that did the trick).

Beer Gardens!!

There’s so many beautiful beer gardens in Berlin. We (me and some Canadian guys from the dorm) chose Klunkerkranich with 360 views of the city. (We went at night, so we could barely see anything, but it was still awesome with lots of lights). Easy to get in, just a long line. They even sell Wurst, and so obviously I got one.

Last but not least…

If you know, then you know. I got in, after THREE tries!

Sites & Food Recommendations:

I don’t typically write recommendations in list form but since someone asked for them..

• Remains of the Berlin Wall spread out around the city
  • East Side Gallery (Over 1km of painted murals on the wall, longest open air gallery in the world)
• Sandeman’s tip-based walking tour (takes you to main sights in 3 hours while learning about the history of Berlin)
  • Brandenburg Gate, Hitler’s bunker, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Checkpoint Charlie, Gendarmenmarkt, Parts of the Berlin Wall in some areas, Babelplatz, TV Tower
• Another walking tour based on your preference. I chose Sandeman’s Alternative Culture and Street Art Tour
• scheers schnitzel: Best Schnitzel EVER! And incredibly affordable. Be warned, you’ll want to come back multiple times.
• Burgermeister: Not the best burger I’ve had, but definitely up there. It’s one of the most famous burger shacks that’s operated in what used to be a washroom. Lol. yes.
• Mustafa’s Gemuese Kebab: Best kebab wrap EVER! Had this gigantic filled wrap with so much stuffing for like 5 euros? I waited 30 minutes in the rain one evening but definitely worth it. While waiting, I ate some WURST from the nearby shop. YUM.
• WURST: Have it anywhere and you won’t be disappointed. Maybe just Google Map it to check the reviews before you go but it is sooooooo delicious. Basically sausages but extra yummy