Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE NEW U5
Over 110 years after the first U-Bahn train embarked on its maiden journey, Berlin's
subway network is getting an extension - of the U5 line from Alexanderplatz to the
Brandenburg Gate. There, it will link with the already completed U55 and continue to
the Hauptbahnhof (main train station), thus closing a major east-west gap.
The ground-breaking ceremony for the 2.2km-long stretch was held in 2010 but
construction had to be halted after archaeological remnants were discovered near the
Berliner Rathaus (Berlin Town Hall). It resumed in 2012 and, if all goes according to
plan (and that's a big IF in Berlin), the line will be completed in 2019.
Three new stations are being built: Unter den Linden (at the intersection of Unter
den Linden and Friedrichstrasse), Museumsinsel and Berliner Rathaus (next to the
Nikolaiviertel). The tunnel is being carved 12m below ground by a custom-built 75m-
long steel mole nicknamed Bärlinde that manages to advance an average of 8m per
day. How this works is explained in a five-minute film (in German) in the
Nikolaiviertel. There are also two bright yellow viewing platforms stationed outside the
strasse)
from where you can sneak a peek down at the construction sites.
DRINKING & NIGHTLIFE
CLUB
HOUSE OF WEEKEND
5; roof garden from 7pm (weather permitting), studio fl 11pm; Alexanderplatz, Alexanderplatz)
After a facelift, the former Weekend reopened in summer 2014 with the same sophisticated
summertime rooftop terrace for cocktails and barbecue with stunning views. After 11pm, the
cadre of shiny happy people moves down to the 15th floor for sweet dance sounds, mostly
electro from local DJs like Jens Bond, Swamthing, Mario Aureo, with the occasional excur-
sion into hip hop and dubstep.
CLUB
CLUB AVENUE @ CAFÉ MOSKAU
from 10pm Thu, from 11pm Fri & Sat; Schillingstrasse)
This high-octane club has taken over the cellar of Café Moskau, a protected East Berlin
landmark. Dress to impress the doormen in order to gyrate on the dance floor to hip-hop,
