Berlin Gay District: Schöneberg

Don’t speak a word of German? Don’t worry about the language barrier, as it doesn’t exist in Berlin! The city is a gay paradise, where morals are left behind and you can be as free for as long as you want.

The first gay and lesbian human rights organization was founded here in 1897, and paved the way to make Berlin a gay capital since the 1920s. Suffice to say, there’s something for everyone: traditional to trashy, and offbeat to chic and extravagant.

As it's so LGBT-friendly, Berlin is home to many gay neighborhoods, each with their own identity: Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg/Neukölln, and lastly, Schöneberg. The latter is the oldest and most well-known. Gay life here focuses around Motzstraße (pronounced “Motzestrasse”) and the squares Nollendorfplatz and Winterfeldtplatz.

Schöneberg shopping and culture

In this part of town, the party’s in full swing 24/7, so it’s completely normal to regroup and rest at anytime of the day. Certain restaurants serve late into the night, but try to have lunch at Café Berio (Maaßenstraße, 7), especially in the summer. With its large terrace, this is the ideal place for boy-watching.

Some unusual places worth visiting are the Jaxx, a gay cinema with private cabins, a darkroom, and an extensive shop. Or, there’s Brunos, a sort of gay supermarket where you might find something to tickle your fancy. If you’re looking for the leather scene, check out Mister B.

Berlin can also be labeled as the birthplace of gay culture. The Eisenherz is one of the oldest and most prestigious gay bookstores in the world. Another unique place is Schwules Museum, the only museum in the world dedicated to gay life in all its forms.

Schöneberg afterdark

For the best gay bars in Berlin, check out the popular Tom’s Bar, an institution once known for its leather scene, but now attracting a more diverse crowd. For the more experienced, the New Action Bar is one of the Schöneberg’s most visited, and every night has a theme. The Connection Club is the most popular gay club in Schöneburg, with a legendary darkroom being just one of its many drawcards. It has recently been remodeled, and even has showers for the gogo boys!

If you’re more in the mood to relax, Der Boiler offers different types of saunas such as Finnish or the BioSauna, depending on your needs. Der Boiler is open every day of the year, non-stop from Friday to Sunday.

As Berlin is one of the cheapest capitals in Europe, we know it will be hard to leave!