Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
men have more options for having fun, but grrrrls - from lipstick lesbians to hippie chicks to
bad-ass dykes - won't feel left out either.
History
Berlin's emergence as a gay capital has roots in 1897 when sexual scientist Magnus
Hirschfeld founded the Scientific Humanitarian Committee, the world's first homosexual
advocacy group. Gay life thrived in the wild and wacky 1920s, driven by a demi-monde that
drew and inspired writers like Christopher Isherwood, until the Nazis put an end to the fun
in 1933. Postwar recovery came slowly, but by the 1970s the scene was firmly re-estab-
lished, at least in the western city. Since 2001, Berlin has been governed by an openly gay
mayor, Klaus Wowereit. To learn more about Berlin's queer history, visit the
Schwules Mu-
Clubbing
Berlin's scene is especially fickle and venues and dates may change at the drop of a hat, so
make sure you always check the websites or the listings magazines for the latest scoop. Un-
less noted, these parties are geared towards men.
Cafe Fatal
All comers descend on
SO36
for the ultimate rainbow tea dance that goes from
'strictly ballroom' to 'dirty dancing' in a flash. If you can't tell a waltz from a foxtrot, come at
7pm for free lessons. Sundays.
Chantals House of Shame
Trash diva Chantal's louche lair at
Bassy
is a beloved institution,
not so much for the glam factor as for the over-the-top transvestite shows and the hotties
who love 'em. Thursdays.
Girls Town
(
www.girlstown-berlin.de
)
Suse and Zoe's buzzy girl-fest takes over
Gretchen
in Kreuzberg with down-and-dirty pop, electro, indie and rock. Second Saturday of every
other month, September to May.
Gayhane
Geared towards gay and lesbian Muslims, but everyone's welcome to rock the
kasbah when this 'homoriental' party takes over
SO36
with Middle Eastern beats and belly
dancing. Last Saturday of the month.
GMF
(
www.gmf-berlin.de
)
Berlin's premier Sunday club, currently at
Club Avenue
, is
known for excessive SM (standing and modelling) with lots of smooth surfaces - and that
goes for both the crowd and the setting. Predominantly boyz, but girls OK.
