Discover the best of what gay Berlin has to offer including queer spaces, bars, clubs, cafes, gay hotels, top things to do, and more…
Berlin is one of those cities we never seem to tire of. We've been coming here together for years, from our first slightly bewildering nights exploring the gay scene to countless Pride weekends, club nights and return trips since. Every time we come back, we discover another side to the city.
And when it comes to gay Berlin, there is a lot to discover. Schöneberg is the historic heart of the gay scene and still the best place to start, but Berlin doesn't really have one single gayborhood. Gay bars, clubs, saunas and parties are scattered across Schöneberg, Kreuzberg, Neukölln and Friedrichshain, each with a completely different vibe.
That's one of the reasons we love Berlin so much. Few cities we've visited have such a diverse gay scene, whether we're having drinks around Nollendorfplatz, heading east for a club night, or joining hundreds of thousands of people for Berlin Pride.
We've put everything we've learned from our many trips into this gay Berlin travel guide, including the best gay neighborhoods, hotels, bars, clubs, saunas, events and things to do, along with plenty of our own tips for making the most of one of Europe's most exciting gay destinations.
We've put all our notes and stories from our many travels to Berlin in this comprehensive gay guide to help inspire your holiday to this crazy and super exciting city, including the best of the gay scene, gay hotels, parties, events, things to do and more. Read on to see why we rate Berlin as one of the top gay friendly vacation destinations in the world.
Heads up: We just wanted to let you know that this post contains affiliate links. That means if you book something through one of those links, we'll get a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep our blog going – so thank you in advance for your support! ♥
Explore the main gay neighborhood of Berlin with a queer local
Whilst Berlin gay life is all about the ravaging parties and the naughty darkrooms, the LGBTQ community also has a rich historical fabric that we strongly advise you to learn more about. We did a gay walking tour with a queer local (called Finn!) who taught us all about the city's LGBTQ history, focusing on Schoeneberg and Kreuzberg. This tour is a great way to get introduced to gay Berlin.
Where is the main gay area of Berlin?
Schöneberg is the main gay area of Berlin and the best place to start if it's your first time exploring the city's gay scene. Most of the action is concentrated around Nollendorfplatz and the streets surrounding Motzstraße and Fuggerstraße, where you'll find some of Berlin's longest-running gay bars, cruising spots, cafés and gay-friendly hotels.
Schöneberg's gay roots go back more than a century. The world's first LGBTQ+ rights organisation, Magnus Hirschfeld's Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, was founded in Berlin in 1897, and by the 1920s this part of the city had become famous for its thriving gay nightlife. Christopher Isherwood lived here during this period and later wrote about his experiences in Berlin, which helped inspire the stories that eventually became Cabaret.
We've usually based ourselves around Schöneberg on our trips to Berlin and still think it's the easiest area for first-time gay visitors. But Berlin's gay scene has spread far beyond its traditional heart. These days we spend just as much time heading east to Kreuzberg, Neukölln and Friedrichshain, particularly when we're going out clubbing. We break down each of Berlin's main gay neighborhoods below.
Getting to Berlin's city centre from the airport…
So you've just touched down at Berlin's Brandenburg Airport and need to negotiate your way to Berlin City Centre. Fear not, we've got you covered in our comprehensive guide on the best ways to get from Brandenburg Airport to Berlin City Centre.
What are the best gay neighborhoods in Berlin?
One of the things that makes Berlin's gay scene so interesting is that it isn't confined to one part of the city. Schöneberg may be the historic gay heart, but head east and the atmosphere changes completely. Kreuzberg, Neukölln and Friedrichshain each have their own gay scenes, while Prenzlauer Berg offers something quieter and more residential.
We've spent time in all of these neighborhoods over our many trips to Berlin, and where we'd recommend depends largely on what you're coming here for. Schöneberg wins for classic gay nightlife, Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg are better for clubbing and a more alternative scene, while Neukölln feels younger and more local. Here's how we think they compare:
Schöneberg / Schoeneberg: the heart of gay Berlin
If it's your first time in Berlin and you want to be within walking distance of the largest concentration of gay bars, Schöneberg is where we'd recommend staying. The gay scene centres around Nollendorfplatz, Motzstraße and Fuggerstraße, where rainbow flags seem to appear on almost every other doorway. It's also home to long-running gay venues like PrinzKnecht, Heile Welt and Hafen. The area has been associated with Berlin's gay community since the 1920s and remains the city's most established gay neighborhood today.
We've stayed around Schöneberg many times and love how easy it makes a night out. We can have dinner, wander between several bars and get back to our hotel without having to cross half of Berlin at 3 am. It does feel more traditional than the gay scene further east, but that's also part of its charm.
Kreuzberg: alternative and edgy
Kreuzberg is the Berlin we tend to associate with late nights, alternative bars, street art and a much more mixed crowd. There isn't one concentrated gay strip like Schöneberg. Instead, the gay scene blends into the neighborhood, particularly around Mehringdamm and Kottbusser Tor.
It's also home to BOILER Sauna Berlin, our favorite gay sauna in Berlin. We'd choose Kreuzberg over Schöneberg if nightlife matters to us but we don't necessarily want to spend every evening surrounded exclusively by gay venues.
Neukölln: younger and more local
Neukölln has become an important part of Berlin's gay scene, particularly around Weserstraße and the northern part of the neighborhood bordering Kreuzberg. It feels younger, more alternative and far less like a traditional gayborhood. Silverfuture is one of the best-known gay bars here.
For us, Neukölln is less about hopping between gay bars and more about being in a neighborhood where gay nightlife is mixed into everything else. It's a good option if you've been to Berlin before and want to experience a different side of the city rather than basing yourself around Nollendorfplatz.
Prenzlauer Berg: quiter and more residential
Prenzlauer Berg is the calmest option on this list. It's leafy, residential and packed with cafés, restaurants and beautiful old apartment buildings, so we'd look here if we wanted somewhere quieter to come home to after exploring Berlin.
There is still gay nightlife around, including FLAX Bar Weekendclub Geburtstagsladen, but we wouldn't choose Prenzlauer Berg specifically for its gay scene. We'd choose it because we like the neighborhood itself, knowing that the rest of gay Berlin is easy enough to reach on public transport.
Friedrichshain: best for clubbing (LAB + Berghain)
If your Berlin plans involve serious clubbing, Friedrichshain is the neighborhood to know. This is the former East Berlin side of the city, with converted industrial spaces, warehouses and some of Berlin's most famous nightlife around Warschauer Straße and Ostbahnhof.
Most importantly for gay travelers, this is where you'll find Berghain and its men-only s3x club Lab.oratory. Friedrichshain also has smaller gay venues such as Grosse Freiheit 114. We wouldn't necessarily recommend Friedrichshain for a first gay trip to Berlin, but if clubs rather than bars are the priority, this is where we recommend you base yourself.
Getting around Berlin
To maximise your enjoyment and avoid queues at the ticketing machines, it's worth investing in a Visit Berlin WelcomeCard before you arrive. It will give you unlimited access to the metro (from 2 to 6 days) and discounts on various attractions.
Where should gay travelers stay in Berlin?
For a first trip to Berlin, we'd recommend staying in or around Schöneberg, the historic heart of gay Berlin with the highest concentration of gay bars around Nollendorfplatz, Motzstraße and Fuggerstraße. This is where we often base ourselves for easy access to the scene.
That said, Friedrichshain is our other favourite option, especially for clubbing, as staying near Ostbahnhof puts you within walking distance of Berghain and Lab.oratory as well as the East Side Gallery, with excellent transport links across the city. Kreuzberg and Neukölln offer a more alternative, local vibe, while Mitte is best if sightseeing is your priority.
01
Axel Hotel
Schöneberg
Why we love it
- Very cool gay “hetero friendly” hotel
- Outdoor Jacuzzi with views over the city
- Sauna, steam room, Turkish bath, and gym
- A #TravelProud certified hotel
We've stayed at Axel Hotel Berlin several times and it's still one of our favorite places to base ourselves when we want to be right in the middle of gay Schöneberg.
We can walk out the door and be at the bars around Motzstraße and Fuggerstraße within minutes, which becomes increasingly appreciated when we're heading home after a long night out!
Axel is proudly “hetero-friendly”, adults-only and very much geared towards gay travelers, so we've always felt completely at ease here as a couple. The rooms are dark, modern and a little sexy, and the whole place has a much more social atmosphere than your average city hotel.
If it's your first gay trip to Berlin and nightlife is a priority, this is the hotel we'd pick.
STAY WITH A GAY LOCAL
Misterb&b is the Airbnb equivalent for the LGBTQ community. Unlike on Airbnb, you know your host is gay, avoiding any nasty surprises when you check in. It's also a great way to meet gay locals and discover the underground gay scene. Click below to get €10 / $10 off your first booking.
02
Moxy Berlin Ostbahnhof
Friedrichshain
Why we love it
- Has #TravelProud certification and is very gay!
- Prime location: short walk to Berghain and Lab
- Close to the airport: around 30 minutes by train
- Close to East Side Gallery
Checking into Moxy Berlin Ostbahnhof felt less like arriving at a hotel and more like crashing a stylish Berlin house party.
The reception desk doubles as the bar, so naturally I somehow ended up with a drink before I'd even worked out the Wi-Fi password. Seby was considerably more organised!
We especially love this hotel for its location. Ostbahnhof station is right next door, the East Side Gallery is nearby and, most importantly for us, we can walk to Berghain and Lab.oratory.
The rooms aren't enormous, but whenever we're staying in Friedrichshain we're hardly coming to Berlin to spend our weekend sitting in the hotel room. For a clubbing-focused trip, this is one of our favorite bases in the city.
03
Hotel Palace Berlin
Charlottenburg
Why we love it
- Cool and quirky hotel in Kreuzberg
- On-site restaurant, cafe and wine bar
- Has the Booking.com Travel Proud certification
- Lovely terrace area with sauna and table tennis
When we want to spoil ourselves in Berlin, Hotel Palace Berlin is where we'd stay.
It's a completely different experience from Axel or Moxy: much more polished, luxurious and grown-up, with large comfortable rooms and the sort of bed that makes getting up after a Berlin night out considerably harder than it should be!
Our favorite part is the spa, particularly the indoor pool and sauna area, which we've happily disappeared into when our bodies have needed some recovery time. Seby also has a soft spot for the House of Gin, which has around 150 different gins, while I love the location near Berlin Zoo, Ku'damm and KaDeWe.
We'd recommend this one if you want the gay nightlife within easy reach but would rather retreat somewhere luxurious afterwards.
04
Michelberger Hotel
Friedrichshain
Why we love it
- Cool and quirky hotel in Kreuzberg
- On-site restaurant, cafe and wine bar
- Artistic decor in the rooms
- Lovely terrace area with sauna and table tennis
We loved Michelberger Hotel because it feels so unmistakably Berlin.
It's quirky, creative and much more individual than staying in a big international hotel, with unusual rooms and lots of communal spaces where we actually found ourselves wanting to hang out rather than immediately heading back out into the city.
The location is another big reason we'd return. It's opposite Warschauer Straße station in Friedrichshain, close to the East Side Gallery and well positioned for exploring the nightlife of eastern Berlin. We particularly loved hanging out in the courtyard after a day of sightseeing.
We'd choose Michelberger when we want to stay somewhere with personality and feel part of the neighborhood rather than simply having a bed for the night.
05
ArtHotel Connection
Schöneberg
Why we love it
- Hetero-friendly gay hotel
- Has #TravelProud certification
- LATE breakfast available!
- Close to gay bars and clubs of Schöneberg
We've got a real soft spot for ArtHotel Connection because it feels more like staying in a gay Berlin guesthouse than a conventional hotel.
It's intimate, friendly and wonderfully old-school, with colourful rooms, creaky wooden stairs and an antique elevator that made us feel like we'd stepped into another era.
But the location is what really wins us over. It's on Fuggerstraße in the heart of Schöneberg, so we can walk to many of the area's gay bars without thinking about taxis or public transport. We also love that breakfast is served late – exactly what we want after experiencing Berlin nightlife the night before!
If you want something smaller and more personal than Axel while still being right in the gay area, this would be our pick.
What are the best gay bars in Berlin?
Berlin has so many gay bars that we've never managed to cover them all – and believe us, we've given it a good try! The biggest concentration is around Schöneberg, which is where we usually start our nights, but some of our favorite places are scattered across Kreuzberg, Neukölln and Friedrichshain.
The scene also changes dramatically depending on where we go. Schöneberg feels more like a traditional gay village where we can hop from bar to bar, while further east we find the crowd younger, more alternative and much more mixed. These are the gay bars we keep coming back to:
Prinzknecht in Schöneberg
PrinzKnecht is one of those Berlin gay bars we always seem to end up in at some point. It's right in the heart of Schöneberg on Fuggerstraße. We've rarely seen it quiet, particularly later in the evening when everyone starts spilling between the different bars in the neighborhood.
We like PrinzKnecht because it's easy and sociable rather than somewhere we need to make elaborate plans for. We usually come here for drinks before moving somewhere else, although we've had plenty of evenings when those plans mysteriously never happened! The crowd is predominantly men and mixed in age, and if you're exploring Schöneberg for the first time, we'd definitely put it on your gay bar crawl.
Heile Welt in Schöneberg
Heile Welt has always felt like the more polished side of Schöneberg to us. It's stylish and intimate, with comfy seating and a more relaxed atmosphere than some of the cruisier male-only bars nearby.
We've found it particularly good earlier in the evening when we actually want to sit down, have a drink and talk to each other before things get busier. We wouldn't necessarily spend our entire night here, but it's an easy place to include when we're hopping around the bars surrounding Nollendorfplatz.
Hafen in Schöneberg
Hafen is another Schöneberg institution we've returned to many times over the years. It's on Motzstraße, right in the middle of the gay area, and always feels friendly and unpretentious when we walk in.
What we like most about Hafen is the mix of people. We've found the crowd more varied than at some of the male-focused bars nearby, and there's usually a sociable atmosphere that makes it easy to meet people. It's another place we'd recommend for a first night in gay Berlin because we can combine it easily with PrinzKnecht, Heile Welt and the other Schöneberg bars.
Möbel Olfe in Kreuzberg
Möbel Olfe is where we go when we want a completely different side of gay Berlin. It's hidden away on Kottbusser Tor in Kreuzberg and feels much more alternative than the traditional gay bars around Schöneberg.
We love how mixed and unpretentious it feels. Some nights are more gay-focused than others, but we've always found a strong LGBTQ+ crowd and the atmosphere gets very lively later on. We'd particularly recommend Möbel Olfe if you're staying around Kreuzberg or you've already done the Schöneberg bar circuit and want to see how different gay nightlife feels on the other side of the city.
Roses in Kreuzberg
Roses is a super quirky and kitsch gay bar in Kreuzberg: as you enter, you're welcomed with a loud pink glitter decor that then transforms into the most unique collection of figurines and pictures of the Virgin Mary that we've ever seen! The crowd here is a mix of males and females from the entire LGBTQ spectrum, mainly locals and some curious tourists. Despite being a small bar, it felt very reminiscent of the alternative hipster vibe of Kreuzberg. It's also super popular, always attracting a large crowd on every night of the week. Roses is open daily until around 6 am the next day. It is located at Oranienstrasse 187, near the Kottbusser Tor metro station.
SilverFuture in Neukölln
SilverFuture is one of our favorite places for experiencing the younger, alternative side of gay Berlin. It's a small LGBTQ+ bar on Weserstraße in Neukölln and feels a world away from the more male-dominated bars of Schöneberg.
Whenever we've been, we've loved how inclusive and laid-back it feels. This isn't somewhere we'd come specifically looking for a big gay boys' night out; we come because it feels like a genuinely local LGBTQ+ hangout where everyone mixes together. If you're staying around Neukölln, we'd definitely add it to your evening.
Zum Schmutzigen Hobby in Friedrichshain
Zum Schmutzigen Hobby is worth visiting for the name alone – although after all these years we're still not entirely confident we're pronouncing it correctly! It's one of our favorite gay hangouts in Friedrichshain and has always felt wonderfully eccentric whenever we've visited.
We love the fact that it doesn't take itself too seriously. The atmosphere is somewhere between a bar, a party and hanging out in someone's slightly bonkers living room, which is exactly the sort of place we want after a few drinks. We've had some brilliant nights here over the years, and we'd definitely recommend it if you're staying in Friedrichshain or heading out around Warschauer Straße.
What are the best gay clubs and parties in Berlin?
Going clubbing in Berlin is a completely different beast from going out in most other cities. We've had nights here that started at midnight and ended well after breakfast, and we've learned not to make ambitious sightseeing plans for the following morning! The music is generally more electronic and techno-focused, dress codes can range from anything-goes to almost nothing at all, and some clubs take their door policies very seriously.
We also don't think of Berlin as having a handful of dedicated gay clubs anymore. Some of our best nights have been at gay and sex-positive parties that take over different venues around the city, so we always check what's happening for the dates we're visiting rather than relying on one particular club. These are the places and parties we look out for:
Berghain in Friedrichshain
We couldn't write about gay clubbing in Berlin without starting with Berghain. We've been several times over the years and walking into that enormous former power station still gives us a buzz. Downstairs is Berghain itself, where the music is harder and more techno-focused, while upstairs at Panorama Bar we've generally found things a little housier and gayer.
And yes, the infamous entry policy of its door staff is real! We've been turned away before and we've also sailed straight in, so we stopped trying to work out the magic formula a long time ago. We dress as we normally would for a Berlin club night (all black!), keep quiet in the queue and never assume we're getting in. Once inside, phone cameras are covered and we've always respected that – part of what makes Berghain so special for us is that everyone can completely switch off from the outside world.
Revolver Party in various venues
Revolver is one of our favorite big gay parties in Berlin and one we always check for whenever we're planning a trip back. Its regular home is the legendary KitKatClub, where we've found the atmosphere much sexier and more underground than the typical circuit parties we've been to elsewhere in Europe.
The music is mainly house, tech house and techno, with a predominantly gay male crowd and plenty of opportunity for things to get naughty away from the dance floor. What we love about Revolver is that it still feels very Berlin: it's big and attracts an international crowd, but it hasn't lost that darker, sex-positive edge that makes partying here so different from other cities.
For the biggest weekends, Revolver goes XXL. During Berlin Pride and Folsom Europe, we've seen it take over the much larger Club OST in Friedrichshain, with multiple dance floors and a huge play area. These special editions are enormous, so we always check Revolver's calendar before a trip to see which version we're getting.
B:East at Club Ost in Friedrichshain
B:East is one we'd choose when we want the techno-heavy side of Berlin's gay party scene. It's run by the same team behind Revolver and usually takes over Club OST in Friedrichshain, an industrial venue that feels perfectly suited to this kind of night. The atmosphere is darker and more underground than a traditional gay circuit party, with multiple dance floors and a large play area.
For us, B:East3 is much more about techno, fetish and Berlin's sex-positive club culture than standing around posing with our shirts off. The crowd is also more mixed than Revolver – it's described as a multisexual rave rather than an exclusively gay party – which gives the whole night a very Berlin feel. We still always check the latest event before going because special editions can move around and the line-up and theme change from one party to the next.
GMF at Ritter Butzke in Kreuzberg
GMF is one of Berlin's longest-running gay parties and a good option when we want something more accessible and less hardcore than the city's fetish and techno parties. Sunday is traditionally the big GMF night, which is either excellent or terrible news depending on what time our flight home is on Monday!
We've always found the atmosphere more mainstream than Berghain or the sex-positive parties, with a predominantly gay crowd and music that's easier to throw ourselves around to. We'd recommend GMF particularly for a first trip if you want a big gay night out without diving straight into Berlin's more hardcore club scene.
Chantal's House of Shame in Friedrichshain
Chantal's House of Shame is another Berlin institution we've always had a soft spot for. It's flamboyaintly Friedrichshaint, wonderfully messy and much less serious than some of Berlin's techno temples, which is precisely why we've had so much fun there.
Thursday is the night to know, and we've found it a brilliant way to kick off a long Berlin weekend. There's usually a mixture of DJs, drag and performances, with a crowd that comes to have fun rather than stand solemnly facing a DJ booth for eight hours. When we've wanted something unapologetically gay and playful, Chantal's has delivered.
SchwuZ
We have so many memories of nights at SchwuZ that we can't bring ourselves to remove it from our Berlin guide completely! For decades it was one of the city's most important gay clubs and somewhere we returned to again and again, particularly when we wanted pop, drag and a fun gay night rather than serious techno.
Its permanent Neukölln home closed in 2025, but thankfully SchwuZ itself hasn't disappeared. The team continues to organise parties and events at different venues around Berlin while looking for a new permanent home. We always check their programme before our trips because we'd love nothing more than to see this Berlin gay institution find its next chapter.
What are the best gay cruising clubs in Berlin?
Berlin takes cruising to another level. We've been to gay cruising bars and sex clubs all over the world, but few cities have the sheer variety – or the completely unapologetic attitude towards sex – that we find here. Some places are essentially bars with a darkroom out back, while others are full-on sex clubs where cruising is the entire point of going.
For us, Lab.oratory is in a league of its own and one of the most uniquely Berlin experiences we've ever had. But when we want something more casual, particularly around Schöneberg, there are several cruising bars we can easily combine with a night out.
Lab.oratory in Friedrichshain
Lab.oratory is hands down one of the most intense gay experiences we've had in Berlin. It's the legendary cruising and sex club underneath Berghain, inside the same enormous former power station, and we've been several times over the years. The first time we walked in, even we weren't quite prepared for it! It's dark, industrial, extremely sexual and very unapologetically Berlin.
What we've learned is that the night you choose really matters. Lab runs a constantly changing programme of themed events, and we've found the atmosphere can be completely different depending on when we go. Some nights have no dress code, while others are naked, rubber or built around a particular fetish. We always check what's happening before going because when Lab specifies a dress code, they mean it.
We'd also recommend arriving during the stated entry window rather than turning up whenever you fancy. Inside there are bars, lockers and a huge amount of space dedicated to cruising and play. This isn't somewhere we'd recommend going simply to have a look around: Lab is very much a sex club and everyone inside knows exactly why they're there.
For us, Lab is one of those places that could only really exist in Berlin. It's certainly not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but if you're comfortable with an extremely sex-positive environment and want to experience the hardcore side of gay Berlin, there's nowhere else quite like it.
Boyberry in Schöneberg
We already knew Boyberry from our trips to Madrid and Barcelona, so when it took over the former Tom's Bar space in Schöneberg, naturally we had to investigate! It's right on Motzstraße in the heart of the gay neighborhood, which makes it incredibly easy to include during a night hopping between the Schöneberg bars.
This is much more of a dedicated cruising bar than somewhere we'd go purely for drinks. There are cabins, glory holes and darkrooms spread throughout the venue, and we've found the atmosphere becomes considerably busier and naughtier later in the evening. Boyberry also runs different themed nights, so we always have a quick look at what's happening before going.
WOOF in Schöneberg
WOOF is a good option if you want cruising without committing to a full-on s3x club like Lab. It's primarily aimed at bears, cubs, otters, daddies and their admirers, although we've always found the crowd welcoming rather than cliquey.
Club Triebwerk in Kreuzberg
We recommend Club Triebwerk if you want something smaller and more intimate than Lab. It's a men-only cruising club in Kreuzberg with a large basement play area, and the emphasis here is very much on cruising rather than dancing the night away.
What is the best gay sauna in Berlin?
We've visited gay saunas all over the world, and BOILER is easily one of the best we've experienced. Berlin doesn't have loads of gay saunas to choose from, but when the main one is this good, we're not complaining! It's in Kreuzberg and attracts a really mixed crowd, particularly at weekends and during big events like Berlin Pride.
For us, BOILER manages to get the balance between an actual sauna and a cruising space spot on. We can come here to relax for a few hours, but let's be real, nobody is under any illusion about what else goes on!
Boiler Berlin Sauna in Kreuzberg
We've been to BOILER several times over the years and are always impressed by the sheer size of it. There are saunas, a steam room, hammam and plenty of places to relax, along with a huge cruising area where things become considerably more interesting.
What we particularly like about BOILER is that it never feels like we have to cruise. We've happily spent time here relaxing, sweating out the previous night's excesses and chatting to guys at the bar before deciding whether we want to explore further. Other times…well, Berlin happened!
We've found weekends the liveliest, and it can get especially busy during Berlin Pride and other major gay events. BOILER also runs regular themed days and special events, so we always check what's happening before going. If we only had time for one gay sauna in Berlin, this is unquestionably the one we'd choose.
Gay cafes in Berlin
Germans love their coffee as much as they like cheeky cuddles in bed… There's a cafe on almost every other street corner in Berlin, along with several gay ones sprinkled around the city, particularly in Schoeneberg – Romeo & Romeo, our personal favorite. We've set out the best gay cafes in Berlin below, but remember, as with the bars, there are loads: this list is not exclusive!
- Romeo & Romeo in Schöneberg: our favourite gay cafe in Berlin. It's always busy. We recommend trying out their rainbow vegan cake! All those boys you met the night before in Heile Welt? They'll all be hanging out here during the day! Romeo & Romeo is open daily from 8am to 10pm and is located at Motzstrasse 20.
- Cafe Kalwil Kunde in Schöneberg: a super quirky gem with fancy Victorian-esque decor, perfect for a romantic brunch or coffee with a group of friends. We recommend their Breakfast Heinrich – it's so photogenic, like your having High Tea with Queen Victoria! Cafe Kalwil Kunde is open daily (except Tuesday) from 9am to 7pm and is located at Motzstrasse 30.
- Südblock in Kreuzberg: one of the best gay cafe snack bars in Kreuzberg. They also have events and parties in the evening, particularly on weekends. Südblock is open daily from 11am to 1/2am and is located at Admiralstrasse 1-2.
- Café K-Ŧetisch in Neukölln: a super cool hipster gay vegan cafe famous for its delicious pastries as well as its antipasti. Always a vibrant and busy atmosphere here. Cafe K-Ŧetisch is open daily (except on Mondays) from 10am to midnight and is located at Wildenbruchstrasse 86.
Gay restaurants in Berlin
German sausage jokes aside, the Currywurst is a must! There are many excellent restaurants to check out in Berlin where you can try the famous Currywurst along with many other yummy prizes. We checked out some of the best gay restaurants in Berlin and have summarised our favorites right here:
Sissi
For a proper sit-down meal, we recommend the gay friendly Austrian restaurant in Schöneberg called Sissi. It's quite a small space that quickly gets busy so definitely make sure you call ahead to reserve a table. Once inside you'll be charmed by the pink walls, wooden furniture, and yummy Austrian dishes like the “wiener schnitzel” or “cheese spätzle”. I particularly loved it because they make delicious pastries – fellow sweet tooth travelers you'll empathize. Their Sissi Cake cake is a must (honestly, once you get beyond the comical name, it's so tasty!) Sissi also put on a decent inexpensive luncheon with a menu that changes daily.
Facciola
If you like wine and tapas-style dishes, you must visit Facciola, an Italian restaurant/wine bar in Kreuzberg. It's owned and run by Aurora Facciola, who really knows her stuff when it comes to Italian wine. Most of the wines available on the menu are from her home region of Piedmont, but other regions are also represented. There's a small food menu of rustic dishes that perfectly complement your tasting of the different wines, including some of the most incredible pasta we've ever had! Aurora and all the staff really make this place unforgettable, as they are so friendly towards every single patron.
Alaska
Vegans and vegetarians in Berlin need not despair, as Alaska is a gay vegan restaurant in Neukölln serving delicious Spanish tapas. Yeah, we'll give you a second to wrap your head around a restaurant in Berlin named after an American state serving Spanish food! The tapas here are delectable. Even non-vegan/veggie diners will love it. Some of our favorites include the carrot crostini (which somehow tastes like smoked salmon!), as well as the patatas bravas with aioli. And you've got to leave room for some churros for dessert. Also, vegan cocktails! Yup – it's a thing…try it out here, trust us you'll love it!
What are the best gay events in Berlin?
When it comes to annual gay events, Berlin leads the way! It's like our European answer to San Francisco, from the Pig parties of Folsom to the քorɳ event of Hustlaball. Here's our summary of some of the best gay events in Berlin to look out for:
Easter Berlin Leather Week – March/April
Easter Berlin is one of the largest leather events in Europe. It is organized by the BLF group and also crowns the next Mr Leather Berlin on Easter Sunday. The focal point of the event is in Nollendorfplatz in Schöneberg. This is one of the best festivals for all things leather, rubber, skin gear, and uniform. The festival includes lots of parties including a fabulous Cabaret.
Snax at Berghain: April and November
Snax is a k1nk party that takes over Berghain and LAB – once in April during the Easter weekend (usually coinciding with the Berlin Leather Week), the second in November. The April Snax is leather-focused, so heads up, pack your leather shorts, harness + boots to be allowed in. In November, it's more sports-themed. We came for the April Snax, eventually got in at 9 pm on the Saturday (the queues are crazy!), and left at 2 pm the next day. It's pretty epic 🙂
The Lesbian and Gay City Stadtfest Festival – June/July
Stadtfest is the largest street festival for Berlin's LGBTQ community, taking place every June/July around Nollendorfplatz in Schöneberg. The festival is massive, attracting over 400,000 visitors each year! Events include films, celebrity talk shows, gay entertainers, and live DJs.
Whole Festival – July
Whole Festival has grown massively in recent years to become one of the best gay festivals in Europe. It's a 3 day weekend festival that usually takes place in the preceeding week to Berlin Pride. The campground is usually located in a space of land away from the centre, totally private (ahem!) with shuttle services available. Check the Whole Festival website for details of the next event and to buy tickets.
Berlin Gay Pride (Christopher Street Day) – July
This is the main Pride event of Berlin, often referred to as CSD or St Christopher's Street Day in Europe. The first one took place on 30th June 1979 as a protest rally of 450 people. Today this has grown into one of the largest gay Pride events in the world, attracting around 1 million people! The highlight is the Saturday parade which follows a route from the Kurfurstendamm to the Siegesäule (Berlin Victory Column). We love attending Berlin Pride and have been going religiously almost every year since we started this gay travel blog!
Folsom Europe – September
This is the largest gay leather festival in Europe going strong since 2003. It's the cousin of San Francisco's equivalent, attracting around 20,000 guys who are into leather and more. The highlight is the popular outdoor Folsom Europe Street Fair, which takes place along Fuggerstrasse and Welserstrasse. Some of the best parties take place during Folsom Europe, in particular Pig and P*rverts.
Hustlaball Circuit Party Weekend – October
This is one of the largest p*rn parties in the world – an entire weekend fun, fantasy and dancing! This is where some of the top xrated actors gather and perform some pretty in-your-face live shows. The best event of Hustlaball takes place at the KitKatClub. To keep in the loop about their latest news, we recommend following them on Twitter.
Top things to do in Berlin
Whilst Berlin is synonymous with hedonism and sleaze, there is, of course, a very different and more sober side to this phenomenal city. The Brandenberg Gates stands as a symbol of pride and unity not only to Germans but to all Europeans. The Second World War, the Cold War era, and the Fall of the Berlin Wall each left their mark on Berlin. We've highlighted some of the best things to do and see in Berlin so you get a flavor of this city's rich, diverse history:
Go on a queer walking tour
Berlin walks offers a queer walking tour to learn about the history of Schöneberg, the first gay district in the world which dates back to the 1920s. We did a tour with Finn McCool from Berlin Walks who we highly recommend. He's a fountain of knowledge about everything to do with queer Berlin and the city in general. We loved learning about Christopher Isherwood, the British writer whose novel Goodbye to Berlin inspired the famous gay musical Cabaret! Finn also offers his own private tours to places like the “gay concentration camps”: gay men were taken to the Sachsenhausen camp and the lesbians to the Ravensbrück camp!
Visit the Schwules gay museum
This is an excellent museum in Schöneberg, dedicated to the history and culture of the LGBTQ community. It was founded in 1985 and is now the world's largest institution for the queer community. It's open every day (except Tuesdays) and features a variety of different exhibitions throughout the year. One of our favourite exhibitions is SuperQueeroes, which is all about the famous queer comic heroes and heroines. It holds over 50,000 objects showcasing gay culture with everything from postcards to clothing and vinyl records. They also display themes relating to drag, gender issues, AIDS and more. You could easily spend an entire day exploring – we sure did!
Prepare your wallet for some serious shopping
If you like shopping, then Schöneberg is the place for you. The high-end shopping mall Kaufhaus des Westens (also, more simply referred to as “KaDeWe”), is based right outside Wittenbergplatz metro. It is the second-largest department store in Europe after Harrods in London. The Kurfürstendamm Boulevard is like the Champs Elysees of Berlin, with all the popular high street retailers like H&M, Zara, Lacoste and many more. Other shopping malls in the area include the Bikini Mall and the Karstadt shopping centre. Make sure you also check out some of the naughty gay shops, like the City Men Shop!
Discover Berlin on a Bike
One of the best ways to embrace Berlin's rich cultural heritage is to explore it by bike, especially as the city is overall very flat. It's also a handy way to do sightseeing in Berlin because the main sites are quite spread out from each other. We did a private tour with Sascha of Berlin on Bike who showed us the main sites like the iconic Brandenburg Gate, the remains of the famous Berlin Wall, the Bundestag and more. Depending on where you're staying, you may also be able to rent bikes from your hotel (or use them for free).
Explore the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie
A historic ‘must-see’ for us when we visited Berlin was the infamous Berlin Wall. Whilst most of the wall has been removed, parts of the original wall have been retained as a memory, particularly by the Berlin Wall Memorial and Checkpoint Charlie – the most famous crossing of the wall during the height of the Cold War. This highly-rated Third Reich and Cold War walking tour is an excellent way to learn more about the fall of the Berlin Wall while exploring different sections of it. As well as visiting Checkpoint Charlie and different remaining sections of the wall you'll also learn more about the rise and fall of the totalitarian regime.
East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is another part of the famous Berlin Wall that has been preserved. It is located on the East of Kreuzberg along the river. It has now been turned into an excellent outdoor museum with some of the best street art murals we've ever seen, all geared towards Peace! The most iconic street art mural to look out for is the Two Men Kissing picture. These particular men are Leonid Brezhnev, the General Secretary of the Soviet Union at the time, and Erich Honecker, the General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party of the GDR. They are not actually kissing romantically. This is simply based on a photograph of them engaged in a quick smack on the lips, which was back then considered a kind of socialist greeting (a “Bruderkuss” in German).
Visit Charlottenburg Palace
This was our favourite date night in Berlin! Charlottenburg is the largest palace in the city, surrounded by beautiful gardens and woodland. The interior is also stunning, with lavish baroque and rococo styles. We came for a three-course dinner and classical music concert performed by musicians from the Berlin Residence Orchestra in period costume! The food was traditional Prussian cuisine, served by candlelight. Then the musicians played classic pieces by Bach, Handel and Mozart. We definitely recommend this for gay couples looking for a romantic and alternative night out in Berlin – ie free from darkroom, swings and glory holes!
Dine at the Berlin TV Tower
The Fernsehturm Berlin is a television tower that was constructed in the 60s. Originally it was meant to be Berlin's symbol of Communist Power. Today it is a popular tourist attraction and our favourite spot for some of the best views across the city. Towards the top is the revolving Sphere restaurant, which makes for another super romantic date night. We recommend booking a VIP-dinner at the Sphere restaurant, particularly at sunset. The restaurant slowly rotates during your meal, so you can gaze out over the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag and Museum Island while enjoying a lovely three-course meal.
The Holocaust Memorial
A sobering but must-visit spot in Berlin is the Memorial to the lost Jews of Europe, also called the Holocaust Memorial. What's your first impression? Not every piece is the same right? This fascinating outdoor memorial was designed to confuse, showing a supposedly ordered system that has lost touch with human reason. Which is kind of what happened during the Holocaust. As well as being an important site to visit, we also found it very unique, like no other touristic site we've ever visited. Just please, don't be like some visitors who think it's an appropriate place to take silly selfies…
Go on a free street art walking tour
We always seek out free tours in every new city we visit. We love them because they're usually run by local students, looking to make some cash from the tips given. A quick Google search and you'll find several companies offering a mix of various Berlin walking tours. It's one of the best ways to orientate yourself in a new place, from the eyes of a willing local. Just remember to tip generously! Only the “alternative Berlin” tour is actually free, but we still definitely recommend the street art tour for people who love graffiti art. It's the best backdrop for those selfies!
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Plan your trip to Berlin
These are some of our top tips and tricks to help you plan a fun and safe trip to Berlin:
How to get there: We usually fly to Berlin and then get a private airport transfer with Welcome Pickups to our accommodation. They are reliable, always on tim,e and you get a big car all to yourself with an English-speaking local driver.
Visa requirements: If you're coming to Germany from many countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia then you won't need a visa to enter the country (and other countries in the Schengen Area) as a tourist. This means you can visit Berlin quite easily but make sure you check your personal visa requirements before you travel, especially if you are planning to visit other parts of Europe as well.
Getting around: Berlin is a huge city with an extensive public transport system made up of the U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (light rail), buses and trams. The city is divided into three different fare zones: A, B and C. We recommend you pre-purchase the Berlin Welcome Card as it gives you unlimited travel in the zones you choose for the whole duration of your stay as well as lots of discounts on popular attractions.
Vaccinations: Before travelling to Berlin, make sure you're up-to-date with routine vaccinations like measles, mumps, chickenpox, etc. Depending on what you are planning to do in other parts of Germany you may also need vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B as well as rabies. Check the most recent advice on the CDC website and talk to your doctor before you make any travel arrangements.
Currency: The currency used in Berlin is the Euro, just like the rest of Germany and 18 of the other countries that are part of the European Union. The symbol for the euro is € and $1 US converts to about 90 euro cents while £1 is worth around €1.17.
Tipping culture: Berlin does have a tipping culture, but only if the service warrants it so don't ever feel forced to tip. Usually, you can round up your bill to the nearest euro, or give a few euros to the housekeeper at a nice hotel.
When to visit: Berlin is an exciting city with things happening pretty much all throughout the year. When you visit will be based on specific events you may want to attend or your own personal weather preferences. It can get hot during summer which is from June-August in Germany. Spring and autumn are both mild, with pretty flowers or colourful changing leaves. While winter can be harsh it can also be magical, especially around Christmas!
Travel, Twerk, and Chill!
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Why trust our gay Berlin travel guide?
Berlin is one of those cities we keep coming back to. We've visited countless times over the years, experienced its gay scene in every season, celebrated Berlin Pride several times and personally tried many of the bars, clubs, hotels and other places we recommend in this guide.
- We've been exploring gay Berlin for well over a decade: from Schöneberg's bars to the clubs and parties of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, our recommendations come from our own first-hand experiences.
- We've attended Berlin Pride several times: Berlin has become one of our favorite Pride destinations in Europe and we've returned to experience it again and again over the years.
- We personally visit the places we recommend: whether it's staying at the hotels, dancing at the clubs, sweating it out at BOILER or exploring Lab.oratory, we write about what we've actually experienced ourselves.
- We've been writing about gay travel since 2013: Nomadic Boys has grown into one of the world's most-read gay travel blogs, reaching millions of travelers every year.
- We're published gay travel authors: our book, Out in the World: The Gay Guide to Travelling with Pride, was published by Pavilion/HarperCollins and draws on more than a decade of traveling together as a gay couple.
- We keep this guide updated: Berlin's gay scene changes quickly, particularly its nightlife, so we regularly review our recommendations and remove or update places that have closed or changed.
Gay map of Berlin
Here's our gay map of Berlin to show you where everything we've mentioned in this article is located. Use it to find out where all the best gay hotels, bars clubs, restaurants and activities are for your own visit to Berlin!
Read more travel adventures like this in our book!
We've published our very own gay travel book called, ‘Out in the World'. It has all our practical safety tips, first-hand advice, and travel stories from some of our favorite destinations.
We hope it inspires you to have a fun and safe trip!
Click on the book to order:
For more inspiration:
- To get a locals' perspective, check out our interview with cutie Marcel from Berlin about gay life in Germany
- Find out why we rate Berlin as one of our top gay travel destinations in Europe
- For some raunchy action, you might like to stay at one of these Best hotels in Berlin for some cheeky time
- While loved-up couples won't want to miss these romantic things to do in Berlin
- If it's your first visit then you might find these gay tours in Berlin helpful
- After Berlin, you need to visit and find out why Cologne is rivaling Berlin as Germany's gay capital!
- You might be surprised by some of these gay friendly cities in East Europe
- If you're traveling on a budget then you'll love these awesome gay hostels in Europe
- And don't miss the gayest cities in Europe as well!
Kevin Kretsinger
Saturday 8th of November 2025
Thank you so very much for having this site! This is my first time to Berlin and this information has helped me immensely! I can tell the two of you have done a lot of homework because everything I need to know is pretty much on your web page! WELL DONE!
Stefan Arestis
Saturday 8th of November 2025
OH so pleased! Thanks for letting us know :)
Lobo
Friday 24th of April 2020
Want to return to Berlin soon. Already been there for a couple of times... but i only know one gay bar AHAHAH
Stefan Arestis
Friday 24th of April 2020
And now thanks to our guide you know many more :)
Pedro
Thursday 25th of April 2019
Hello designers and writers of this web page....I find the information very helpful. I just never realize how much Berlin and Germany in general have so much to offer for Gays, wow. I would like to visit the recommended sites in the future trip there. One problem is that I do not know how to speak German, let alone, that I have partial hearing loss. Are there Deaf and Hard of Hearing gays in Germany, specifically, if there are clubs, associations, or groups for Gays to hang out and meet? How about website for the Deaf Gays in Germany? Thank you so much for the wonderful works you do on your web page. Sincerely, Pedro
Nomadic boys
Thursday 25th of April 2019
Hi Pedro thanks for your message. We actually have no idea, however, check out the gay blog of our buddy Rex. He is not only deaf, but super handsome. He'll have the best tips: https://rexyedventures.com/
otlaat
Sunday 29th of July 2018
New post of wonderful way of writing , Amazing photos , I'm glad to be one of your follower , you are the best
Nomadic boys
Monday 30th of July 2018
Thanks for following us :)
Carl
Saturday 24th of February 2018
The HAFEN Quiz night is not more.
You might also want to check out the BLOND bar. International, mixed, relaxed gay crowd. On Tuesdays they have Karaoke.
Nomadic boys
Saturday 24th of February 2018
Thanks Carl :)