From bars to clubs and saunas to hotels, Berlin has turned into quite the gay travel destination. There are film festivals to attend, one of the largest Pride events in Europe, and cruising areas galore. Naturally, there is something for leather and fetish lovers as well, so come prepared with your favorite sex toys and dive into the fun. No matter if you are traveling alone or with your partner or husband, nearly every aspect of Berlin is welcoming to the gay traveler. Naturally, there is something for everyone year round, so make your travel plans now and prepare to party and cruise in Berlin.

 

Berlin is a vibrant city with a thriving lgbtq+Q+ scene, hosting a variety of gay events throughout the year. Below is a list of some popular events that cater to the gay community, offering diverse and exciting experiences for all attendees.

1. Berlin Pride (CSD Berlin): Christopher Street Day (CSD) is an annual lgbtq+Q+ pride event held in Berlin, typically during late July. It is one of the largest pride celebrations in Europe, attracting over half a million participants each year. The event features a massive parade, live music, workshops, parties, and other cultural events, all in support of lgbtq+Q+ rights, visibility, and acceptance.
   
   
2. Folsom Europe: Held annually in September, Folsom Europe is a world-renowned street festival for the lgbtq+Q+ and fetish communities. The event takes place in the Schöneberg district, which is well known for its gay scene. Folsom Europe offers a unique opportunity to explore the leather and fetish cultures, with street fairs, dance parties, and various themed events.
   
   
3. Easter Berlin: This annual event takes place around the Easter holidays and is one of the biggest gatherings for the European gay leather and fetish community. Easter Berlin features a wide range of events, including workshops, exhibitions, and club nights, culminating in the famous "Snax Club" party at the legendary Berghain nightclub.
   
   
4. The Berlinale - Teddy Awards: As part of the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival, the Teddy Awards recognize outstanding lgbtq+Q+ films and filmmakers. The awards ceremony takes place in February and is accompanied by a week-long program of queer film screenings, panel discussions, and parties.
   
   
5. SchwuZ: SchwuZ is a popular lgbtq+Q+ club and cultural center in Berlin, hosting a wide range of events, including themed parties, concerts, and art exhibitions. The venue's diverse program caters to various interests and tastes within the lgbtq+Q+ community, making it a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience Berlin's gay nightlife.
   
   
6. GMF Berlin: GMF is a long-standing weekly gay event held every Sunday night at the Ritter Butzke club. The party features multiple dance floors, with DJs playing a mix of pop, house, and techno music. GMF attracts a diverse crowd of partygoers, making it a great way to end the weekend and mingle with locals and visitors alike.
   
   

Here are some of the most popular gay bars and clubs in Berlin based on online reviews and rankings:

1. Berghain/Panorama Bar - This iconic nightclub is known for its techno music and long lines to get in. It's a must-visit for many club-goers in Berlin, including the lgbtq+Q+ community.
   
   
2. SchwuZ - This popular gay club offers a variety of music, from pop to techno, and has a diverse crowd.
   
   
3. Connection Club - Located in the heart of the gay district, this club offers a mix of house and techno music and a dark room for more intimate encounters.
   
   
4. Woof Berlin - A popular bear bar with a friendly atmosphere and themed nights.
   
   
5. Tom's Bar - This cruising bar has been around for over 30 years and is known for its dark rooms and leather dress code.
   
   
6. Hafenbar - A nautical-themed bar with a cozy atmosphere and a popular weekend drag show.
   
   
7. New Action - A classic cruising bar with a dark room and a leather and fetish dress code.
   
   
8. Roses - A trendy bar with a mixed crowd and a great outdoor seating area.
   
   
9. Mutschmann's - A fetish and leather bar with a dark room and a popular Sunday brunch.
   
   
10. Silver Future - A queer bar with a laid-back atmosphere and a popular karaoke night on Thursdays.
    
    

 

Berlin is known as the gay capital of Germany and arguably the queer capital of Europe. It has a vibrant and diverse gay scene with bars, clubs, dance clubs, cruise clubs, saunas, massages, and restaurants that cater to the lgbtq+Q+ community. Schöneberg is the main hub of the city's gay scene, while Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are home to the legendary Berghain club and the notorious gay cruise club Laboratory. Berlin is known for its anything-goes culture, making it a popular destination for people seeking a more hedonistic experience. The city has many hotels that are gay-friendly, and there are many free city guides and maps available for visitors. Homosexual activity has been legal in Germany since 1969, and same-sex marriage was legalized in 2017.
Gay Parties to Look Out For

Pornceptual — A party attached to a visual arts project, taking place every two months at Prince Charles club. Entry prices are dependent upon how much (or how few) clothing you wear. Read more about my experience dancing without pants at Pornceputal here.

Gegen — Queer party at the legendary sex club, Kit Kat Club, taking place every two months, the first Friday of the month. Expect half-naked or mostly naked guys and gals, a swimming pool (at your own risk) and excellent electro DJs.

Buttons — Born out of one of Berlin’s more famous monthly gay parties (Homopatik ended in 2016), Buttons takes place every month, at a venue just as you’d expect from a Berlin nightclub. Expect rooms full of sweaty guys, all-weekend raves, a relaxing and cool beer garden and excellent music from their resident DJs.

Cocktail d’Amour — Another cult favorite in Berlin, taking place every month at Greissmüle—a great summertime venue where you can expect good music

Madonnamania — One of Berlin’s more popular gay parties at SchwuZ, it happens just four times a year only during months with five Fridays. It’s fun and quirky and weird—with, predictably, lots of Madonna music.

DUMP — An indie gay party, taking place intermittently at Mutschmann’s in Schöneberg (usually a gay men only fetish club).

Meschugge – A long-running gay Jewish party taking place every month, featuring Middle Eastern beats. One time at the basement Brunnen70 nightclub and now at Sophienclub.

Gayhane – The last Saturday of every month at Kreuzberg’s legendary punk club, SO36. Expect kitschy pop music, colorful characters and long nights.

London Calling — One of my all-time favorite club nights in Berlin. Taking place the first Friday of every month at SchwuZ, the three dance floors fill with an eclectic mix of guys, girls and drag queens rocking out to indie and BritPop tunes until sunrise.

 

Daily Parties to Look Out For

Mondays are the night for 2-4-1 drinks at slightly-sleazy (but kind of cool) Tom’s Bar. Or, for those looking for something more cultural, it’s also the popular Mongay night at Kino International when international queer films are shown each Monday at the soviet-era cinema, perfect for a great gay date night.

Tuesdays at Der Boiler—a gay men’s sauna—are very popular when entrance is just 2-4-1. (Also look out for the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month for youngSTARS gay sauna nights at Der Boiler; entrance is reduced for those 28 and under.) The queer bar, Barbie Deinhoff’s, also runs a happy hour every Tuesday from 7pm until midnight and hipster gay bar Möbel Olfe hosts ladies night on Tuesdays, popular with lesbian women.

Wednesdays used to be the night for some of the indie gay parties in Berlin, though many of those have stopped running in the past few years. Now, one of Friedrichshain’s best gay bars, Himmelreich, hosts a popular happy hour with both gay men and lesbians. And The Club, a queer bar popular with all varieties of Berlin’s lgbtq+ nightlife, hosts a 2-4-1 happy hour every Wednesday. The Club also runs a number of drag nights (usually on Fridays) and other art & cultural events.

Thursdays are one of the best gay nights out in Berlin, with countless parties happening around the city. Chantal’s House of Shame, running for nearly 30+ years, is run by drag queen Chantal who puts on sloppy performances in-between techno and pop on the two dance floors. Möbel Olfe is most popular with gay men on Thursdays (mostly wearing beards). Then there’s the Elektronischer Donnerstag every Thursday at SchwuZ—an electro night most popular with gay men at the alternative indie club in Neukölln.

Weekends are obviously popular for gay nightlife, with most of the monthly and bi-monthly parties taking place on Friday and Saturday nights, sometimes opening Friday night and staying open until Sunday. See above for some recommendations, though when in doubt, it’s often hard to go wrong with Berghain.

Sundays at GMF, located in Mitte, continue to be one of the most popular weekly parties—it skews young with basic dance and pop music by the DJs and guys in tank tops (or no shirts at all). Not a bad way to end the weekend, though.

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  Axel Hotel Berlin Adults Exclusively Men) Axel Hotel Berlin Adults Only provides lodging in the Schöneberg neighborhood, 0.9 miles from Kurfürstendamm. It features a restaurant fitness center, garden space and rooftop bar offering vistas. Guests can enjoy round the clock front desk service, room delivery and complimentary WiFi access. The wellness zone includes hot tub facilities, sauna rooms, Turkish bath options and fitness amenities. The Urban Bar at Axel Berlin is favored by both visitors and locals alike. Located a 5 minute stroll, from Wittenbergplatz Underground Station.
  Various lgbtq+Q+ clubs and bars are a stones throw away. Some of the popular features include complimentary WiFi, a spa fitness center accommodations for guests with disabilities, a round the clock front desk, room service, a terrace, a bar, an elevator and breakfast options. Noteworthy highlights of the property include its top notch location highly praised by visitors (8.9 rating) and its high rate of returning guests compared to other establishments. According to guest reviews the hotel is considered pleasant, with a score of 6.7; the free WiFi specifically received a commendable rating of 8.1
  
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