Explore Berlin Clubs

In the last blog post I was writing about la creme de la creme, but now its time to also bring the remaining nightlife into the spotlight. If you have never been out and about in Berlin, you might wanna start with some other venues first and safe the best for last. Because: there is no return.

I have spend many of my weekends of all the years I have lived in Berlin in clubs. Sounds unhealthy? Well, not for me. My friends call me "The wellness Raver" as I´m pretty straight edge, including not drinking alcohol at all and I always bring fruit, nuts and a fresh changing outfit to the party.

For me going out means socialising, letting loose, moving my body and connecting deeply with music.

Depending what you want to explore, there will be the right club for you in Berlin. I started out with Kater Holzig, which doesn't exist anymore, and gets me feeling really old talking about it like that. I personally would not recommend the new Kater Blau which has evolved out of it, as it is quite pretentious and not about the music or creating an experience for the people at all. But dont´worry, there are many more options.

Heideglühen:

A little bit inconvenient with its location, but definitely worth a visit is the Saturday Daytime Club Heideglühen. Its mostly outside but also has a big indoor room with House music on all floors.

In my perspective you wouldn't come there for the music but for the vibe and the people.

The crowd feels very mixed with techno lovers, tourists, more colourful dressed people, a few hippies.

That mix creates the special atmosphere and a peaceful and chatty vibe.

Come early as the party starts Saturday noon and lasts till 6am on Sunday morning. If you come too late, you might need to queue for a very long time or might not get in anymore due to capacity.

Entrance costs 23€ (more on special occasions) and you can pay with card everywhere.

RSO:

RSO stands for Revier Südost and started as Griesmühle a long time ago in a different location. I feel very old when I say, that I went to Griesmühle when it first started, as I lived across the street from it and had some of my teen adventures there.

However, I like the new location better, because its more spacious and with an industrial vibe and not as run down as the old Griesmühle. I´d also say that the soundsystem is probably one of the best in Berlin in the indoor room, playing hard and minimal techno with an excellent booking. With nice weather, you can also enjoy dancing to music outside, with more chilled vibes. The whole outside area is great for relaxing, talking and taking a break. Only the toilet situation is a disaster, as there are too few and it becomes a mess.

Parties run from Friday, Saturday till Monday and entrance is mostly around 23€. You can even pruchase a ticket beforehand online, but access is not guaranteed and you won´t get your money back if you don´t get in, so I wouldn't recommend. Best time to go, as usual in Berlin, I´d say is 8-10am on a Sunday morning.

Check out the program HERE.

Sisyphos:

In the outskirts of Berlin located in an old factory building, is the vibrant club Sisyphos. Its usually open nonstop from Friday till Monday and has 3 dancefloors in winter and an extra outdoors floor in summer. No matter what kind of electronic music you are into, you will find your vibe there. From downtempo, to house, minimal, tech and acid, you are covered with a different genre on each floor.

Hammerhalle (hard techno)

Wintergarten (House)

Dampfer (Psy Trance, Acid, Techno)

Strand ( Downtempo, House)

Therefore also the look of people who go there, is also quite different; ranging from colourful and funky to black 90s techno vibes. Its a place where you can bring out a side in yourself that you might not be able to express in everyday life. So make yourself free, be yourself and dress to impress.

The age of the crowd is just as diverse as I´ve seen people who probably just turned 18 to 50 years old dancing together. However the average age I´d say is around 30.

Getting in is not as difficult as Berghain, but you still need to give the impression that you´re into the music, not drunk or on drugs when you arrive and have an interesting look and style about you.

In the past there was usually no queue, but in the last years, Sisyphos has become more popular and therefore also longer entry waiting times. In case you leave and come back, you just pay a 5€ reentry fee whereas the general ticket is 20€. Also make sure you bring cash, because card payments are widely not accepted. In my experience Saturday morning or noon is the best time to come as there is no line, the people and music are relaxed and you can still get some sun in the outdoor spaces if you´re lucky in cold grey Berlin haha.

There is something like a pond and beach on location, which gives people the opportunity to hang out, connect, relax, have some drinks or even food. A pizza place offers fresh slices around the clock as well as soup or oatmeal. (Used to be like that when I last went. Please inform me if I´m wrong)

Overall if you want tot have a nice social weekend, make new friends, see familiar faces, have a vibrant diverse experience, Sisyphos if for you!

You can check the program HERE 

About Blank:

This venue is one of the most central and easiest to get to, being right by Ostkreuz train station. It´s in an unobtrusive little house, with a surprisingly big backyard, thats not visible from the street.

So going there in summer on a nice day is recommended to get the best experience. There are two inside floors and one outside floor, playing mostly techno, minimal and deephouse.

Therefore the style of the people is accordingly mostly restricted to dark colours, chains and boots. If you wanna make sure you get in, I´d follow that dresscode. People seem to be a bit older here; between 30-40 I´d estimate and mostly queer. There are regular party events of which I can recommend Staub and Golosa which are Saturday day parties and always have good music and vibe. Come early, as the maximum capacity is reached quickly and you might not get in anymore if you come too late.

What makes about blank special, is the big outdoor space, the amazing quality of the speakers and the selection of often still infamous but really good DJs. I have never experienced a disappointment in terms of music there.

The downside of the place is the limited toilet capacity, which makes it sometimes annoying as a flinta person, having to wait endlessly in the queue. The indoor space is also very small and gets too busy, hot and sweaty for my taste, so I prefer the daytime events with outdoor options. There is also no food option, so you can either bring your own snacks or go out to Ostbahnhof station where you find bakeries, cafes and a small convenience store.

Overall if you wanna enjoy real good (mostly fast) music and get a bit dirty, about blank is your place.

You can check the program HERE