THEGAYUK

Tag: Berlin News

Get the latest LGBT+ Berlin news from THEGAYUK. Breaking news, features and interviews from the gay community in Berlin in Germany.

  • Four totally gay-friendly places you can play poker

    Four totally gay-friendly places you can play poker

    Poker is undoubtedly the world’s most popular casino game boasting millions upon millions of players all over the planet. Traditionally the game has been dominated by men and has been less than inclusive to women and the LGBT+ community.

    Things are changing though, female participation in the game has increased to around 15% in recent years and poker has also become more inclusive to members of the LGBT+ community. If you’re an avid fan of poker and are looking for an LGBT+ friendly environment to play in this article is for you.

    We’ll take a detailed look at some of the world’s most gay-friendly places to play and enjoy poker. If there are any places, we’ve missed out on be sure to let us know in the comments section below.


    Las Vegas, USA

    welcome to fabulous las vegas nevada signage
    Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com

    Sin City as it is known colloquially is the Mecca of world gambling with an abundance of world-class gambling facilities. Poker in Vegas is one of the biggest draws to the 40 million tourists that touch down at McCarran International every year.

    There are a huge range of poker tournament types, if you’re looking for a small-stakes cash game, or a high-rollers tournament or an LGBT+ friendly game, then Vegas has you covered. Almost every casino in the city from the well-known Mirage to the lesser-known bars such as Charlie’s run frequent LGBT+ poker events.

    On top of that, the city has a thriving LGBT+ community and a dedicated online magazine called Gay Vegas that details all the latest news from the city as well as dates for upcoming events. One of the best places to visit away from the poker table is Freezone.

    Situated right in the centre of the action, Freezone is a lively gay bar that regularly plays hosts to some of the biggest names in karaoke and drag. Drinks prices are also much lower than anywhere in Vegas, making it one of the best places to let your hair down and relax.

    Denver, Colorado

    brown concrete building during night time
    Photo by Colin Lloyd on Pexels.com

    If you were to ask most British people to name their top three holiday destinations in the USA, chances are Colorado wouldn’t feature very highly. On this side of the pond it is more known for being home to the fictional town of South Park than anything else.

    Despite that, it really is one of the most beautiful states in the whole of the USA and is a must-see for any thrill-seeking, natural beauty loving tourist. The world-famous Rocky Mountains can be found in Colorado, just 60 or so miles from Denver.

    This stunning mountain range will take your breath away and help you to find a place of inner calm as you bask in the awe of amazing nature.
    You’ll want to make Denver your base for your stay in Colorado, a city with an intriguing history and a thriving LGBT+ community. Get your poker fill at The Denver Wrangler, a popular gay bar that runs a weekly LGBT+ poker tournament called ‘All in Bitches’ every Monday.

    Sitges, Spain

    person walking on shore
    Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Pexels.com

    If you haven’t heard of the small town Sitges in Catalonia, think of it as the Brighton of Spain. Its economy is predominantly based on the Pink Pound, with hundreds of thousands of gay tourists flocking from all over Europe to the town every year.

    Almost every bar, club and hotel in the town plays a keen role in Sitges’ bustling LGBT+ calendar with parties and events galore planned to entertain the tourists. On top of that you can enjoy some intense poker action in a relaxed, LGBT+ friendly environment.

    Poker and most other forms of casino gambling have been legal in Spain for decades and casino gambling is perhaps even more popular in Spain than it is here in the UK.

    Berlin, Germany

    berlin signage
    Photo by Esther on Pexels.com

    When you step out of the Hauptbahnhof train station and take your first steps into the thriving metropolis of Berlin, you’ll be struck by the dominating industrial revolution style architecture. Don’t let that fool you into thinking that Berlin’s attitudes to the LGBT+ are as traditional as its buildings.

    Berlin is actually one of the most gay-friendly cities in Europe and has a long history of playing host to Europe’s LGBT+ community stretching back to the Victorian Era when bars and clubs throughout the city were regularly played by gay icons such as Marlene Dietrich.

    There are so many things to see and do from an LGBT+ perspective in Berlin that it would be foolish to attempt to list them all out here. Heile Welt and SchwuZ are two of the best-known gay bars in the city and there’s also the infamous and exclusive Berghain Club which is well worth a visit for intrepid tourists.

    There’s also plenty of poker action to avail of in the city, so once you’ve done sampling the delights of the gay scene get yourself to a casino and pit your wits against some of Berlin’s best players. The Trabrennbahn Mariendorf and Spielbank are two of the best to try out.

  • Thinking of moving? Here are the most gay-friendly cities for expats

    Thinking of moving? Here are the most gay-friendly cities for expats

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    When you’re planning an international relocation as a member of the LGBT+ community, there are additional things to think about besides job opportunities, housing prices and public transport. LGBT rights can vary greatly from country to country, and even within regions that are ostensibly friendly towards LGBT+ people, you can still find some cities more welcoming than others.

    If you’re getting restless and looking for your next big adventure, the good news is there are plenty of amazing cities all over the world that are as LGBT-friendly as they are a winning expat pick. To help inspire and inform you, here are ten of the best.

    1. Berlin, Germany

    Germany scores highly in a number of expat living charts, known as a country that offers a high quality of life, economic stability and a good level of disposable income. The capital city, Berlin, happens to also be a lively and artistic LGBT+ haven.

    Pride weeks every summer and an impressive range of gay nightlife spots are just the tip of the iceberg in Berlin, an incredibly liberal city that is known for its ever-changing street art and innovative vegan cuisine. Often described as one of Europe’s most tolerant cities, this is a place where you can truly be yourself, no matter who you are or how you identify.

    Germany protects the rights of LGBT+ citizens in work and in housing, as well as in marriage, adoption and other crucial areas, and Berlin is a vibrant hub for the community.

    2. Copenhagen, Denmark

    Denmark was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex partnerships, and is described by Lonely Planet as being the ‘most gay-friendly place on earth’. Within that, Copenhagen boasts Europe’s oldest openly gay bar, and the city’s slogan is ‘Love of freedom, freedom to love.’ 

    Soon to be the host of WorldPride in 2021, expats moving to Copenhagen can expect a great work-life balance as well as a warm welcome. Denmark is also a country which prides itself on sustainability, as well as inclusivity, so if you’re working on your carbon footprint this could be the choice for you. 

    3. San Francisco, USA

    You may already be familiar with the Castro District, which is known as one of the first-ever openly gay neighbourhoods in the USA. That’s just one part of this colourful LGBT+ hotspot, where you can see rainbow crosswalks and monuments to icons like Harvey Milk.

    San Francisco remains one of America’s most forward-thinking cities to this day, and while not every city in the USA is equal, this is one destination where you can feel confident your rights as an LGBT+ individual will be upheld and defended. 

    While life in San Francisco can be expensive, wages are also higher than you’ll find in other major cities – and with the city playing home to a melting pot of expats from all over the world, you’re sure to find a way to fit right in.

    4. Santiago, Chile

    Chile might not be the first place that springs to mind when you’re contemplating an international relocation as an LGBT+ person. However, Santiago has come a long way since the turn of the millennium, and the city now offers a strong LGBT+ culture and an impressive host of gay venues and events to enjoy.

    Lauded by some as the LGBT+ capital of South America, Santiago offers ample opportunity for expats looking to teach English, provided you have a reasonable understanding of the Spanish language. It’s a safe city with a low cost of living, surrounded by beautiful scenery and offering great public transport. 

    5. Gran Canaria, Spanish Canary Islands

    The gay scene in Gran Canaria’s Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles is hard to beat wherever in the world you might look. With numerous Pride festivals taking place throughout the year, this is already a number one vacation destination for gay travellers from all over the world – but it’s also a good spot if you’re planning on a permanent relocation.

    If you can pin down a job contract lasting a minimum of three months, you can get fully-fledged resident status in Gran Canaria without much trouble. Though you’ll need to organise your own global healthcare plan in the meantime, as Spain does not provide free healthcare for non-residents. Despite this, settling in permanently is relatively easy compared to most destinations.

    6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Amsterdam is famous all over the world for being a city which accepts and promotes ‘fringe’ lifestyles in many forms, so it should come as no surprise to hear that it’s also a destination proud to support and champion LGBT+ people.

    In addition to regular Pride events, thriving gay nightlife venues and a host of resources and organisations that newcomers to the area can take advantage of, Amsterdam also offers easy cultural acclimatising for western expats. With English widely spoken, job opportunities in a range of industries, and late-opening shops and restaurants, adjusting to a new life in the Netherlands shouldn’t be a struggle.

    7. Reykjavik, Iceland

    Iceland was the first country in the world to elect an openly gay head of state, and was one of the first places to legalise same-sex partnerships and marriages. Not just a country which fiercely defends the equal rights of all inhabitants, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, Iceland is also known for its stunning scenery and frequent opportunities to witness the Northern Lights.

    Reykjavik, in particular, offers an incredibly high quality of life to its residents, with a low unemployment rate and booming tourism sector. Register for free with an employment agency to have the best chance of securing a role before your move.

    8. Auckland, New Zealand

    New Zealand is proud to have been the country which elected the world’s first out transgender MP, Georgina Beyer, as well as having continuously elected a steady stream of out and proud MPs to parliament in the last few decades.

    While Auckland’s LGBT nightlife scene isn’t as loud and lively as some cities on this list, local attitudes to the community are such that venues simply don’t feel the need to segregate themselves, in many cases. You’ll find a safe and welcoming night out regardless of whether a bar is labelled as LGBT+ or not.

    New Zealand appeals to many expats because of its natural beauty, from volcanoes and beaches to rainforests and waterfalls. Move to Auckland and you’ll find a thriving economy with diverse employment opportunities, from fin-tech and software companies to jobs in hospitality.

    9. Antwerp, Belgium

    Antwerp Pride attracts around 50,000 visitors each year, hardly a surprise in a country which has always been at the forefront of defending LGBT+ rights. This cosmopolitan city has been multicultural for centuries, and remains a welcoming hub for expats moving from all over the world.

    Half of the population here speaks at least three languages, so while it’s a good idea to fine-tune your language skills in order to truly feel like a local, you can get along by speaking English and/or Dutch alone. 

    10. Vancouver, Canada

    Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary are all incredibly popular destinations with expats who are looking for good job opportunities and a great quality of life. Across this tolerant country, it’s hard to pick the best LGBT+ destination, but Vancouver, in particular, is a brilliant choice if you’re keen to find a growing LGBT community where you can easily settle in.

    Described by Conde Nast Traveller as ‘Canada’s most gay-friendly city’, Vancouver is also a safe and spacious city that puts you a stone’s throw from beautiful natural sights and boundless outdoor activity opportunities. The best known ‘gay neighbourhood’ is Davie Village, but you’ll find it’s safe to be yourself wherever in the city you choose to move.

  • HOTEL REVIEW | Mövenpick Hotel Berlin

    ★★★★★ | Mövenpick Hotel Berlin

    Recently I was lucky enough to be able to visit Berlin for the annual Snax sportswear fetish party.

    While I was there, I made sure that I had a great place to stay for the night in order to get party-ready and to have somewhere to rest my head before taking the train home again. The Mövenpick Hotel in Berlin was the perfect answer. Since I knew I was going to be partying all night long on Saturday night, I booked Sunday night as well so I could get home from the club and sleep before taking my late-night train home. 

    The hotel is easy to find from several U or S-bahn stations in Berlin, or of course by taxi. The foyer is tastefully decorated and bright, furnished with comfortable sofas so that any time you might spend in the lobby is a pleasure.

    The Mövenpick hotels have developed the perfect room for people like me who have a hard time sleeping when things aren’t perfectly dark. Especially true when coming home after a long nights party and the sun has been up for a while already. The ‘sleep’ room has full blackout curtains and comes with a little package of goodies to help you sleep which includes an eye mask, herbal teas, chocolates, and little stickers that you can use to cover the standby lights of the devices in the room. Apart from all that, is probably the room’s best feature: the adjustable king size bed. The bed is split into two large beds which each have an electronic control which adjusts the firmness of the mattress. With the push of a button, you can sleep on something as hard as wood, or sink down into the mattress and be enveloped into a plush world of warm. Add to that the pillow selection from a form given when you book, which lets you choose the firmness of the pillows in your room, and the room is sure to give even the biggest insomniac a good night’s (or afternoon’s) sleep. This bed alone was enough for me to fall in love with this hotel. Coupled with the black-out ability of the room, I can say I have never had such a restful nights/afternoon’s sleep in a hotel when travelling. It really was a pleasure, and I wish I had spent more time there.

    Outside the room, the Mövenpick Berlin has a fully stocked cocktail bar and restaurant, as well as a buffet breakfast, which for me was a godsend after spending a few hours dancing at Snax. The best thing about Sunday morning breakfast is that it runs until 1 pm, so if you’re like me and like to spend all night out partying, you can safely return home to the hotel to get some food whenever you want. 

    The hotel staff are attentive and always ready to provide you with whatever you need. In my case, it was a lot of extra black tea and fresh milk, which I found waiting for me in my minibar upon my return from being out for the afternoon. 

    The Mövenpick hotel can be found on Schöneberger Straße, a short walk from the Anhalter S-Bahn station, or the Ubahn stations of Gleisdreieck, Mendelsohn-Bartholdy-Park, and Kochstrasse. Bookings can be made directly on the hotel website.

  • TRAVEL | 25 Hours in Berlin

    When the 25 Hours Hotel opened in the City West of Berlin, it added a note of culture, nature and cosmopolitan all under the roof of what used to be a 1950’s grotty industrial office building.

    I could probably count on one hand the number of fun hotels that I’ve stayed at and this is definitely one of them. The hotel is neighbours with the iconic Berlin Zoo and so the theme of being in a jungle is carefully distinct especially with a personal hammock in your room to crafty spaces to lounge, dine and drink. Since the cocktail scene in Berlin has taken off and caught up in the growing desire for craft drinks and an obsession with rooftop bars, this hotel plays host to the popular Monkey Bar and Neni Restaurant – both positioned on the 10th floor with 360-degree panoramic views of bustling Berlin.

    Along with my guest, we are often suspicious of hotel restaurants and long lines of people waiting to gain entry into any bar however whilst dining at Neni with one of South Australia’s renowned food bloggers our doubts rapidly melted away into the leafy surroundings and heavenly balagan style dishes. After dinner which was showered with dramatic views and superb service we cut across the corridor and entered the Monkey Bar where we immediately noticed why the line to get into this celebrated bar was impressive – even on a random Tuesday night.

    When you eventually pull yourself away from the hotel you can adventurously explore Berlin with one of the hotel’s bikes or even one of their Minis (yep this is one of the impressive perks for guests). Make your way to the former East and weave through the updated streets until you arrive at the Hackesche Höfe.

    Once you have worked up an appetite the simply named Hackesche Hof Restaurant & Café is one of the areas favoured dining spots where a feast of people watching and exceptional food and drink are served. This restaurant has some impressive photos of the area which makes a dining experience here quite classical. Also nestled in this courtyard area is The Chämaleon Theater a unique theatre stylishly set in an art nouveau ballroom where cabaret style seating allows guests to eat and drink during performances. Hosting the latest contemporary circus creations such as the charismatic Scotch & Soda, described as a whiskey-fuelled circus party accompanied by live music.  The Chämaleon Theater continues to break all language barriers by welcoming the arrival of the forthcoming show Parade where acrobatics meet multimedia.

    British Airways conveniently has a direct route from London City airport to Berlin Tegel, however, be warned with all the monkey business in Berlin you will need more than 25 hours in this whimsical city.

     

  • The Best Places for Gay Travel 2017

    The Best Places for Gay Travel 2017

    Planning a gay vacay this year but not sure where to go? While there are a lot of amazing destinations for gay travel, there are a few spots that are extra special when it comes to welcoming LGBTQ travellers, and some that have naturally become gay hotspots because of their fabulousness.

    gay travel gay hotel

    Hipster, designer and gay travel blogger extraordinaire Adam Groffman put together a list of some of the Best Places for Gay Travel in 2016 on his Travels of Adam site that he has kindly shared with THEGAYUK. Read on to get your inspiration for amazing gay travels for 2017.

    Here’s the thing about gay travel—you can pretty much do it anywhere. If you’re gay and you travel, guess what!? You’re gay travelling 😉

    But, still… there are some places which are just so much more welcoming, more friendly and more fun for gay travellers. Some travel companies make concerted efforts to court LGBTQ travellers, while others just naturally become hotspots thanks to their location, their creed or their clientele. Finding gay places when travelling can sometimes be a challenge—a lot of it depends on word of mouth (whether that arrives to you from friends, friends of friends, or through a gay dating app). But then there are also a handful of gay websites which make finding gay places easier. Probably the biggest international directory of gay cities is, predictably, GayCities.com. Their mix of user-generated content, stories, photos essays and events is all-encompassing.

    Each year, GayCities.com puts out a survey of the best gay cities, places, hotels and other travel things. It’s a fun survey where you can vote for your favourite gay places (I’m always voting for Berlin, hoping that it will win!).

    THE BEST PLACES FOR GAY TRAVEL 2016 MY PICKS!

    Best Gay City
    BERLIN

    As my adopted home, Berlin makes it to the top of every one of my lists—it’s great for foodies, for budget travellers, for luxury travellers, for sex tourism, for hipsters and for film fanatics. The other options on GayCities’ list of best cities are decent, but honestly: Berlin has a bit of something for everyone. New York City and Chicago are probably at the top of my list for best USA gay destinations, but with early closing times for the nightlife, it’s hard to really top Berlin.

    Best Foodie Paradise
    CHICAGO

    Chicago, nestled in the middle of America, is one of America’s most surprising cities. Unlike NYC and LA on either coast, Chicago sits right there in the middle, with the best of both worlds but its own distinct identity. When I last visited Chicago, I quite literally ate all the food—from fried pickles and pancakes to hipster donuts and BIG brunches. If ever there was a city designed for foodies, it is Chicago.

    Best Up-and-Coming City
    STOCKHOLM

    I think there are a lot of rising stars among the most gay-friendly cities. I’m currently writing this from Texas, where some of the Texan cities are surprisingly gay and—actually!—cool. But, in Europe, Stockholm’s pull makes it one of the coolest places to visit today. Stockholm doesn’t usually make it immediately on most USA tourists’ first-time trips to Europe, but with new budget airline connections, it’s only going to get more cool.

    Best Capital of Culture
    NEW YORK CITY

    New York City is an absolutely overwhelming city—it’s no wonder that it’s one of the world’s most popular cities. There are millions of things to see and do in NYC, from world-class museums, historic buildings and shopping—so much shopping! This year, the U.S. National Park Service even recognized the historic gay bar, the Stonewall Inn, as a historic monument. And don’t even get me started on Broadway—so much of the great theater and musicals originate here. Creativity and culture are bursting out of every pothole in this amazing city.

    Read more: Cheap and Free Things To Do in NYC

    Best Airline
    AMERICAN AIRLINES

    As a Oneworld alliance member, American Airlines is at the top of my preferred airlines. (It also helps that I grew up flying in and out of DFW airport in Texas—their hub.) While some frequent fliers might find AA more stuffy and business-oriented than other airlines, it’s surprisingly cool for being—literally—the world’s largest airline! Their Instagram is a fun sneak peek into the company culture—and it always goes rainbow each LGBT pride month.

  • HOTEL REVIEW | Art’Otel Berlin Mitte

    ★★★★ | Art’Otel Berlin Mitte

    Art’Otel Berlin Mitte Hotel review
    Art’Otel Berlin Mitte

    Earlier this year I had the pleasure of attending this year’s Hustlaball Gay Porn Awards at the Kitkat Club in Berlin. While staying in Berlin for the weekend, I had the pleasure of staying at the Art’Otel Berlin Mitte. The hotel is one of a chain of hotels around Europe that specialise in featuring a particular artist in the décor of the hotel building. The Berlin Mitte art’otel features German artist Georg Baselitz throughout and has been recently renovated giving the hotel a fresh contemporary feel.

    All 109 rooms and suites, as well as the entrance, lobby and reception, have received an inspiring new look, featuring new bathrooms, modern beds and bold furnishings, with the design encompassing Georg Baselitz’s use of wood with metallic, Gold and Copper themes. In addition, the grey walls in the public areas, combined with the famous Baselitz paintings provide a striking new feature, whilst the elegant furniture, such as the comfortable armchairs, alongside the seven-metre sculptural concrete seat, gives the hotel its very own unique touch.

    Since its original opening in 1997, art’otel berlin mitte has displayed a permanent exhibition with 328 works by Georg Baselitz. From large pictures to smaller charcoal drawings, each room includes a painting, an etching or a graphic of his work. Baselitz focused early on deformations, the power of the subject, and the liveliness of the colours, which has been brought to life within the hotel’s renovation.

    The hotel features a number of rooms of different sizes, from the spacious twin rooms through to XL Suites which have a king size beds, a two-seater sofa that pulls out into a double bed, and a few have access to the balcony that looks out towards the Berlin Cathedral and the Museum Island.

    Check in is a breeze with the numerous and friendly staff, and they are on hand to help you with whatever you need at any hour of day or night. Even if you come back from the club and realise you’ve left your key in the room at 3 am.

    Before getting your night started, you can enjoy a drink or dinner at the Upside Down Bar in the foyer, where every Friday night there is a live DJ playing from 6 – 10 pm. The Upside Down Bar is so named in reference to Baselitz’s painting style which was largely upside-down images, while the menu is inspired by various Mediterranean sources. Other than the Friday night events, on the 2nd Thursday of each month the DJ plays from 5-8 for after work drinks, and on the last Wednesday of each month you can come along and take in a cocktail making masterclass for 25€, or if you’re not like me, and are actually getting out of bed on Sunday morning instead of in it, you can go along for Sunday Funky Jazz Brunch from 11 am to 2 pm on the 2nd Sunday of each month for just 20€.

    Art’Otel Berlin Mitte is located next to the Märkisches Museum Ubahn station at Wallstrasse 70. It’s easy to find either by taxi or public transport as it is centrally located, and sits next to the Australian Embassy building. The Berlin Mitte art’otel features rooms starting at 134€ per night though readers of TheGayUK.com can save up to 20% by booking 30 days in advance through the following link: www.artotels.com/offers/5692590

    Aaron stayed in Berlin as a guest of Art’otel Berlin Mitte.

  • Take A Good ‘Loft’ Around Berlin

    Take A Good ‘Loft’ Around Berlin

    Berlin is a principal political hub overflowing with history, monuments, and entertainment venues, and is highly regarded for its diverse architecture and high standard of living. Of paramount importance (to me) are the 24-hour train services, outstanding theatre, and the Friedrichstraße area (formerly East Berlin) that has an East Side New York feel.

    CREDIT: TTstudio-bigstock
    CREDIT: TTstudio-bigstock

    I frequently use Ryanair when flying to Berlin as the journey time of one hour twenty minutes from Stansted is sufficiently short for one not to realise the lack of comfort provided by an economy airline. Arriving at Berlin’s Schonefeld airport, one can get direct to the city centre in forty minutes. Purchase your travel pass at the airport tourism kiosks to save time (one-day, three-day or five-day passes can be bought). Berlin’s trains are easy to use and the lack of ticket barriers provides a feeling of trustworthiness and frees one from the obstacles such barriers can present.

    ADVERT

    [adinserter block=”1″]

    Turning to accommodation in Berlin, one is spoilt for choice. Ranging from five-star hotels to hostels and private apartments, these can be sought in prime locations. A prime choice of apartment for me would be Miniloft, which is located near Friedrichstraße, an area subjected to major rejuvenation in the downtown area of Mitte, noted for its upmarket real estate. Located in close proximity to the U-Bahn station and trams, Miniloft apartments offer accommodation in four authentic and eye-catching designs, prime location and a tailor-made guide for the tourist. Miniloft has fully equipped apartments with lift access, private entry control and comforting heated floors. There is a splendid light environment, complete with the convenience of blackout blinds. A ten-minute walk will find one surrounded by the chic wine bars and colourful eateries of the Mitte district.

    CREDIT: R.Babakin-bigstock
    CREDIT: R.Babakin-bigstock

    If one is looking for culture in Berlin, the theatre breaks offer an outstanding option, and entertainment features the Broadway likes of Chicago, The Blue Man Group, and Aladdin. One point of note is that dialogue and music are in the German language.

    CREDIT: PR Supplied
    CREDIT: PR Supplied

    CREDIT: PR Supplied
    CREDIT: PR Supplied

    CREDIT: PR Supplied
    CREDIT: PR Supplied

    Moving away from Berlin’s Broadway, stay at Minioft to explore the city’s East End, Berlin’s hip nightlife district. Europe’s largest show palace is located here, Friedrichstadt Palast, which contains the world’s largest theatre stage.

    With excellent accommodation, which can be found by visiting www.miniloft.com, and outstanding cultural, historical, and recreational attractions, a visit to Berlin is certain to provide maximum appeal.

    Why not treat yourself to a stay in one of Europe’s major cities, and absorb the atmosphere in Berlin, where there is an abundance of diverse attractions waiting for you to discover.

    Miniloft is from €113.30 in May

  • TRAVEL GUIDE | Gay Berlin: Bring down those walls

    Berlin might not be the first place you think about when you want to have a romantic weekend away; most people head to Germany’s largest city for the history, wild parties, and relaxed sexual liberty. However there is another side to this amazing city, a romantic, softer side that most people miss out on.

    My boyfriend and I visited Berlin over the Valentine’s Day weekend to check out what the city had to offer.
    Berlin was founded in the 1300s and is the capital of Germany. It is also one of the largest metropolitan cities in Europe. With nearly 8 million people residing in its boundaries, there really is something to excite everyone’s tastes. Berlin and its people (and yes, they are ‘Berliners’) are well known for their love of a good party. From weekly romps at the many and varied night clubs, to Pride festival, film festivals, and a myriad of other cultural festivals, it’s almost impossible to come to Berlin and not find anything of interest to do. The hard part can be deciding which of them we should do first.

    After arriving in the city we checked into our simply beautiful room in the Radisson Blu hotel in the Mitte area, a short walk from Alexanderplatz. The hotel itself is quite incredible, with an enormous aquarium tank in the foyer, stretching almost from floor to ceiling commands most of the attention of everyone in the room, whether you’re checking in or enjoying a drink in the foyer bar, or even riding in the glass-lifts to and from your room, it’s hard not to stare into the water watching the fish swim around.

    Once we checked in, we got to our room and found we had an excellent view of the Berliner Dom.

    After my boyfriend prized me away from the window looking at the view, we headed into the city for a little sight-seeing. As we walked down the street towards the Brandenburger Tor (which I am pretty sure seemed closer on the map) the sun started to set behind the Tor, providing for some engaging photos and a great atmosphere.

    After spending a couple of hours wandering around the Tor, Jewish and Gay & Lesbian Memorials, the Tiergarten Park, we headed back to our hotel to begin the search for a place to have dinner. Since we’re pretty lazy, but enjoy something a bit different, we decided to check out 360, the revolving restaurant in the TV Tower. (Fehrnseheturm) This is a well-known Berlin landmark, the giant tower can be seen from anywhere in the city. It’s located in Alexanderplatz, and we paid the €23 fee to ride to the top and guarantee a table at the restaurant. The restaurant revolves once every hour, providing a wonderful view of the entire city as you enjoy your veal roulade and red wine. This is without a doubt the best view of the city, and it is totally worth the entry fee. (Buy your ticket online to save waiting in the sometimes massive queues.)

    Later that night we hit the town and headed over to the world famous Kit Kat Club (yes, like in Cabaret) for the monthly Revolver Party. Easily one of the best parties in Berlin, this monthly event brings in some of the hottest DJ’s, floor shows, and men from around the world. A word to the wise: Don’t follow regular German clubbing tradition here: arrive shortly after 12 for speedy entry, arriving after 1am might see you stranded on the street for a couple of hours waiting to get in. Once you’re inside, the venue has an in ground pool and lounge area, several bars, dance floors, and darkrooms/areas to keep everyone busy until well into the next morning.

    It was just after leaving Revolver that I was very happy to have booked the breakfast buffet at the hotel. After a long night of clubbing, one thing I didn’t look forward to was searching the streets of Berlin for breakfast. Luckily, with the wide variety of food available from the hotel’s buffet, we didn’t have to worry about that at all. The breakfast was a welcome way to start the day, and (to my boyfriend’s delight) included an egg chef to prepare your eggs exactly as you like them, while you wait.

    After a short nap it was time to discover some more of fun Berlin. Since the weather was playing ball, we headed into the Kreuzberg area to wander around the markets and stores that line the streets. Since it’s very un-German to give things a name that describes a specific thing, without that thing being there, you may be unsurprised to find that there is, in fact, a Kreuzberg, in Kreuzberg (crossing mountain). It’s pretty generous to call this a mountain, but considering how flat everything else in Berlin is, it’s pretty high. From the summit you can look out over almost all of Berlin.

    While in the area we took a little stroll through the market hall in Kreuzberg, and grab a little bit of Spanish tapas from a stand there. I also found this very cool little store that sold various household items and gift ideas

    A quick subway trip back to the hotel to rest and refresh was well deserved. We had thought about heading down to the basement level and having a couple’s massage or a dip in the pool, but the overly comfortable bed got the better of us. As the night rolled in we enjoyed a couple of glasses of Champagne before heading out to dinner and a show. Berlin has, unsurprisingly, a plethora of cultural events to see. From live theatre, musicals, classical music at the Philharmonie, there’s so much to choose from. We decided on a personal favourite: The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Check out the English Theatre for an excellent program of events this year.

    If you head over to Potsdammer Platz, where you can find the Philharmonie, Mall of Berlin and the Sony Centre, which has an awesome indoor ceiling design and a lot of touristy restaurants, you can catch a tuk-tuk style trip around the city from one of the many riders waiting on the corner. The very best of these is the rolling bed. Basically a guy on a bike pulling a double bed. You hop in, snuggle up under the blankets and enjoy a tour of the city while warm and cozy in the bed. A great idea for a coldish winter night. Prices vary depending on how far or how long you want a ride, but if you’re keen to try something different, this is certainly that.

    The following morning saw us getting up a little earlier to grab another buffet breakfast. The hotel’s team are awesome about late checkouts, with the regular checkout being at 12, and you can of course leave your bags in the hotel so you can spend your day doing something more interesting than waiting around for your taxi to the airport. Next time you’re planning a romantic getaway, give Berlin a try, you’re sure to fall in love.

    The reporter stayed as a guest of Radisson Blu Berlin.

    REVIEW AND PHOTOS BY: Aaron Holloway
    Rainbow Pride Watch by Be Pride – www.bepride.it

  • Man vows to have gay sex everyday for a year – for art

    Mischa Badasyan a 26-year-old Berlin-based performance artist has a new project called ‘SAVE THE DATE’ when he is giving ALL to his Art.

    Literally.

    His aim is to have sex with a different man every day for a whole year, which evidently he counts as art. He wants to unselfishly use his body to shed light on the intersection of loneliness and desire created by modern hookup culture. He is also planning to use the project as an opportunity to spread the word about safe sex and condom use.

    Hoping to start the project next month Badasyan has already signed up with all the major gay networking sites such as Grindr, and got a condom supplier to sponsor him. He’s not intending to tell any of his ‘dates’ about the project but is hoping to get some sort of small token from each one.

    Reaction from the gay community to this Project has been mixed as it is by no means a unique idea, it’s just the first time this course of action attempted regularly by many gay men has ever been labelled as Art.

  • TODAY IN GAY: Mäedchen In Uniform

    TODAY IN GAY: Mäedchen In Uniform

    The first feature film with an openly pro-lesbian storyline debuts at The Capitol Cinema in Berlin.

    According to Wikipedia:
    The film had some impact in the Berlin lesbian clubs, but was largely eclipsed by the ongoing cult success of Der blaue Engel (1930). The film did however generate large amounts of fan-mail to the stars from all over Germany and was considered a success throughout much of Europe. The goodnight kiss Thiele received from Wieck was especially popular: one distributor even asked for more footage of other kisses like it to splice into prints of the film.

    From its premiere at the Capitol cinema in Berlin until 1934 the film is said to have grossed some RM6,000,000. Despite the collective nature of the filming for which cast and crew received only a quarter of the normal wage, none saw a share of the 6,000,000 marks and Thiele later hinted that the profits had been mostly retained by the producers.