Host or Travel: Berlin Gets Busy In Episode 4 of Our New Travel Series

Willkommen to Berlin, a city that wears its culture on its leather sleeve. Germany’s capital boasts pristine Prussian architecture, grungy street art, and a nightlife scene with such extended hours you’ll forget time exists (what day is it anyway?). This is a place for those who crave something different, with a come-one-come-all vibe that has made it a haven for expats from all over the world.

In our latest episode of Host or Travel, we kicked things off at Toms Wurst, a temple to Berlin's most beloved street food: the currywurst. But this isn't just any sausage. No, this spicy little hog is slathered in a sauce so tangy, you’ll want to take your sweet time with it. After living the curry fantasy, we headed to the Tipsy Bear, one of Berlin’s best no-frills queer bars—glitter, grit, and a whole lot of gumption. The shows are a riot, and if you're lucky, you might just get pulled onstage.

Of course, Berlin's queer scene isn't all glitz and glamour. At Grosse Freiheit 114, things are a little steamier—less sparkle, more sweat. Here, anything goes, and respect and consent are the only rules. Beyond that, it’s your playground.

We ended the night at Schwuz, a pulsing, throbbing testament to the best of German club culture. Three rooms—unlimited rotating music genres. At Schwuz, there’s a holy trinity of bass, bodies, and bad decisions just waiting for you to worship.

Here’s a list of more spots you should check out.

Berlin Food

Berio Berlin—The kind of place where one coffee turns into three (the people-watching is that good). The tables are always packed with people who know a good coffee when they taste it. If you can snag a seat outside, consider yourself lucky because everyone’s after that perfect spot. In the summer, it’s prime real estate. Fresh pastries, strong coffee, and the buzz of conversation make this place feel like home.

Romeo und Romeo—This Schöneberg spot nails the balance between cozy and cool, and while the walls might not talk, the well-thumbed LGBT magazines on the tables certainly do—they whisper stories of a neighborhood that’s seen it all. The regulars? You’ll find them nursing their espresso like it’s a fine art, which, in this corner of Berlin, it might as well be.

Sissi—Just a few-minute stroll from the subway, Sissi feels like a hidden gem, even though it’s right under your nose. Cozy but not cramped, intimate but not intimidating—it’s quintessential Berlin. Take your pick between the front and back seating, though with portions this generous, you might want to sit close to the door for a quicker escape to walk it all off.

Berlin Nightlight

Prinzknecht—Where Berlin’s industrial edge meets a bear hug—literally. Prinzknecht is a laid-back spot with a rugged charm, friendly crowds, and a warehouse-turned-hangout ambiance. Locals and tourists alike flock here, drawn by the no-nonsense vibe that’s part pub, part gay sanctuary.

KitKatClub—When you step into KitKatClub, you realize modesty’s taken the night off. The dance floor bleeds into the playroom, where latex, leather, and skin collide in Berlin’s most unapologetic sex party. Here, “Do what you want but stay in communication” is the cardinal rule. The rest? That’s up to you.

König Dragshow—What started at Tipsy Bear in 2019 has become a home for drag kings and nonbinary performers. No big production, just a stage where two new acts each month show what they’ve got. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s all about letting the performers define the night. Highly recommended for the discerning traveler who wants to see a piece of German culture that’s quietly making its mark.

Berlin Arts & Culture

Künstlerhaus Bethanien—Künstlerhaus Bethanien—For 50 years, this international cultural hub in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district has been the gritty backstage of the city’s art scene. It’s where artists from around the world come not just to exhibit but to create—whether that’s painting, sculpting, fabricating, or something entirely different—in a historic building that’s all about the work. No velvet ropes, no pretentious gallery banter—just a space where the focus is on making art, getting messy, and maybe sharing a beer with fellow creatives.

Schwules Museum—Since 1985, Schwules Museum has been the go-to spot for exploring LGBTQ+ stories. From vintage photographs to personal letters and protest signs, each piece here tells a part of the LGBTQ+ journey. Located in Schöneberg’s Rainbow District, the museum also houses a library and archives, making it a key resource for anyone digging into queer culture.

Museum für Film und Fernsehen—In the heart of Berlin, the Museum für Film und Fernsehen is a sleek fusion of cinema and television, past and present. During your time here, you’ll wander through a century of German film, courtesy of the archives of Deutsche Kinemathek, then flip the channel to five decades of TV.

From street eats to basement beats, Berlin never misses.

Tschüss, for now. See you next week in Malta.

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