Explore Berghain

When it comes to clubbing, I could call myself an expert. Techno and dancing have been one my favourite things to do since more than a decade now. Throughout the years I have explored much of Berlins club scene and somehow even when I was abroad the party would just naturally come to me.

What I like most about dancing and specifically to Techno music, is the meditational aspect of it. Techno has the most basic primal and instinctive sounds. Therefore it can connect us back to the roots of nature, the own heartbeat, our inherent vibration. As there is usually no lyrics, it connects people all over the world and makes it possible for everyone to tune into it. The baseline tone is always the same and allows the body to find its natural rhythm with it after a couple hours of dancing.

Specifically when in a bigger setting of many people, a lot of energy gets set free and creates a buzzing environment. In my obervation the Techno scene is generally very welcoming, loving, warm and openminded. It therefore attracts the queer scene as well as people who are and think different and are outside the box. It allows people to be themselves and express through style and movement.

Obviously the music and the selection of people in a place will create the vibe in a club, so I´d like to introduce you to my findings and observations in the Berlin club world, starting with Berghain in this article.

Berghain:

Obviously we start with the cherry on top. At this point, there is no other place for me to go out than Berghain. Its like having tried the best of best coffees, there is no return to a corner-shop filter brew.

Since I`ve been going there for almost 8 years now more or less regularly, it almost feels like a home to me. It´s even more than a club to me: it´s a place to socialise, express myself creatively, therapy and a full body workout.

The building is an old power plant and I can still free the amounts of energy when entering the building. I believe that is one of the reasons, why the vibe is always so energetic and vibrant. As soon as people will enter, everyone starts dancing to the worlds best DJs and with an absolutely mind-blowing sound and light system. Obviously some people also come with other intentions and seek out Berghain for its sex positive policy, however most of the time that will happen in the more secluded spaces of the building and not in the main areas. There are darkrooms for specifically that purpose, but you wouldn't even notice if you don´t seek out for them. In all the years going to Berghain, I have not been there once as thats not my interest when clubbing.

There are no rules but at the same time, there are a lot of unwritten laws which everyone who has been several times will follow. Taking photos or filming is not allowed and will lead to an immediate ban and even the use of phones is not really common to see. This allows people to feel free and focus on dancing or on connecting instead of being distracted by their phone. Everyone is dancing intensively, but somehow everyone mostly remains in their zone and doesn´t take over someones else's space.

Unwritten rules to follow:

No phones on the dancefloor

No pictures or photos (lifelong rejection if someone sees you)

No loud / long talking on the dancefloor (go to a hangout area)

No GHB allowed in (this drug is the devil itself, please don´t touch anyways)

No touching without consent (should be normal anyways, but unfortunately happens a lot in other clubs)

No sex on the dancefloor (go to the darkroom or booths)

No toilet queue line skipping

Berghain used to be a gay club and still mostly is, so homophobia, but also sexism or racism is a strict no go. I feel really safe there as a woman, because I barely had strange pickups by guys. Therefore I also feel free to dress myself more sexy than I would do regularly, which also makes sense because it is incredible hot inside and you don´t wanna have too much clothes on. But practicality and functionality are just as important when it comes to outfit choice. You wanna wear materials that don´t make you sweat easily and then smell. Also your shoes should be comfortable because you will dance A LOT! Usually I make between 30.000-70.000 steps on one day, so having good shoes are an essential. And please don´t bring a backpack or jut bag with you. That is such a no go as it will bump into people and the bouncers actually might reject you for this. Better: a small funny pack or handbag for your shoulder.

There is not really a dresscode, although many people think you have to wear black in order to get in. This is a total misconception and I hope it changes soon, as it feels boring seeing everyone only in black clothes. The most important thing to get in, is that you are yourself, like techno and wanna go on that exploration. The bouncers do an incredible good job in always creating an amazing environment through their door selection. They can see if people are dressed up not as themselves or are authentic. However: shoes and bag as mentioned above matter. Don´t even try going with high heels. Even if you get in you´ll hate your life and feet the next day...

So don´t even bother to play a role and pretend to be someone you´re not. If glitter and sparkles and soft music is more your vibe, you might consider going to another club anyways as you´ll have more fun elsewhere.

Berghain is rough, dark and hard but I always find so much light and peace in that darkness. Many of my really good friends, I met in Berghain and I had the most mind blowing spiritual connections and conversations there. I said in the beginning that it serves me as therapy as well, in the sense that in a place without judgement and rules, I can explore different aspects of me and dance trauma, worries pain away as its stored in the physical body. Specifically people with a string root center activation tend to like Techno in my observation.

If you are more into House music, there is another dancefloor called Panoramabar upstairs of the Berghain dancefloor with a lighter and brighter vibe. Find the most glamorous looking (mostly gay) people here as well as beautiful Dragqueens and later on people will start dancing on the bar counter, window stills and couches. Its always a uplifting and vibrant experience to spend time in Panormambar.

In order to get the best experience, go on a Sunday morning, also to avoid long queues. You can join this telegram group to always get updated on the queue status. There is a coffee bar inside, with surprisingly good coffee, but also smoothies, sandwiches and small salads if you get hungry. I always bring my own snacks such as fruits, bars and nuts and friends therefore call me the wellness-raver. Also don´t forget your earplugs, or get them for free at any of the bars or cloakroom.

Note, that inside you can only pay with cash (yes Germans love their cash) whereas for the entrance fee of 25€ you can pay with card. You can also leave the club and come back for a reentry fee of 5€ but you´ll have to wait again in a separate queue on the right side of the line, which can take some time.

Last but not least, don´t forget to take a printed version of the program with you which you´ll find by the bars and entrance area. They are always very well designed and change each month. I even put some of them as artworks in my apartment.

Packlist for your Berghain experience:

-Earplugs

-Food (no liquids, more snack type)

-Changing outfit (its sweaty)

-Iboprufen

-Magnesium (for dancing muscle power)

-Cash

-Your ID (if you look young)

-Hair elastic (if you got long hair)

-Deodorant

-Chapstick

As you can see for me there is no other than Berghain but for long times I used to enjoy many other clubs as well so well also have a look at them in further articles.

Check out the full program of Berghain HERE.