GLBT Travelers - Berlin CSD - 23rd June

So, this year I'm planning on heading into Berlin for CSD on the 23rd of June. I've been to Berlin a couple of time before, but this will be my first CSD.
Any advice? What things should I be looking for and attending? Where's a good place to stay? I was thinking maybe the Hilton.

So, this year I'm planning on heading into Berlin for CSD on the 23rd of June. I've been to Berlin a couple of time before, but this will be my first CSD.
Any advice? What things should I be looking for and attending? Where's a good place to stay? I was thinking maybe the Hilton.

I always stay near Nollendorfplatz, the gayest area in town.
There are a handful of hotels there.
-The Axel, the gay "hetero friendly" hotel. Usually overpriced for those dates but can be fun.
-Castor The Vine, good 3* hotel.
-Ivbergs (same)
-There are also a few budget hotels. Sachsenhof was not bad. But definitely a budget hotel.

I would not particularly recommend Tom's hotel unless the price and amenities are right for you. There is not really any gay vibe to it other than being in the gay-hood. Any other non officially gay hotel will be as good and as gay friendly.
The "Gay Hostel" (run by Tom's) is, well, a hostel/ dorm beds, but very friendly and lots of chances to meet 20 or 30 somethings.

There are plenty of hotels in Berlin outside of Nollendorfplatz/ Schoneberg area. I could not recommend any one in particular. Booking.com is the website I am using lately. The ratings are honest and the reviews give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.

I have been in Berlin many times and it is always fun.

Best source of info is the local rag Siegessaeule. You don't have to wait to be in town to get a copy. Go to:
http://www.siegessaeule.de/
It is in German but it is the best source for info.
Click on the Calendar under "Termine" to get the info on current events.

The official CSD guide is another source of info
www.csd-berlin.de

As for what to do, there is the festival and the parade. It depends on what you are looking for. Whatever it is you can surely find it in Berlin.

From your bearish watering hole, Prinkznecht, to the deep V neck young crowd at the GMF parties to the debauchery of some places which I'd rather keep for a private message.

Cheers,

The area around Nollendorfplatz is the traditional gay village, and definitely has the highest concentration of gay residents, visitors and businesses.

Younger gays however tend to live and play farther east, in Kreuzberg and various districts that used to be east of the wall (Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichschain). The largest clubs and one-off parties are also in the eastern part of the city.

I personally prefer to stay in the Mitte area as it is conveniently located for both sightseeing and the newer nightlife.

Does anyone recommend any sites that are must see's in or close to Berlin?

We plan on staying at the Crowne Plaza in the gayborhood but now I am reading that there is a more trendier/younger area or the Kreuzberg? I assume we should visit it as well?

Does anyone recommend any sites that are must see's in or close to Berlin?

We plan on staying at the Crowne Plaza in the gayborhood but now I am reading that there is a more trendier/younger area or the Kreuzberg? I assume we should visit it as well?


There are gay bars in Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer but they are dead. Shwuz in Kreuzberg can be fun but only on certain nights. Der Boiler (Kreuzberg too) is the newest sauna, very nice and modern but definitely there is no need to stay close by.

Trendier means mixed. So there are a lot of cool places in Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer but they are more mixed and attract a diverse crowd with some gays mixed in.

The popular parties for the "young" happen in random places. Like GMF party held on Sundays at a Club in Mitte. Berghain (club) is in the middle of nowhere. I went once to a party called "Horse Meat" and that one was also in the middle of nowhere near Hauptbanhof.

The Crown Plaza is not in the middle of the gayborhood but one metro stop away or a 15-20 mins walk away. That hotel is fine. Better than any hotel in Kreuzberg.

As Sites to See, not sure what you mean. Potsdam is must day trip, IMO.
Most tour buses or bike tours will take you to most of the must-see sites. They are easy to find once you get to Berlin or online. No need to pre-book.

There is also a river cruise that starts near Alexanderplatz. I liked it.

Finally, there are also some "alternative" tours that can be fun. Just google Berlin alternative tours. Some of them are free.

Truth is that the transportation system in Berlin is great so you can stay anywhere in the city and have no problems to get to places. Schoneberg, Ku'dam, Mitte, Potsdamer platz are all good areas to stay at.

Have fun!

Does anyone recommend any sites that are must see's in or close to Berlin?

We plan on staying at the Crowne Plaza in the gayborhood but now I am reading that there is a more trendier/younger area or the Kreuzberg? I assume we should visit it as well?

First, the CP is not in a gayhood but in a touristy shopping area. However, you can walk down to Nollendorfplatz in about 10 minutes. Just take Tauentzienstr. past the Wittenbergplatz U-Bahn station, then it becomes Kleiststr., and it intersects with Motzstr. at the Nollendorfplatz U-Bahn station. As for Kreuzberg... I'm not sure I would call it trendy. In fact, the locals refer to Kreuzberg 36 as "Trashy Kreuzberg". The further you go down Oranienstr., the worse it gets. If you're wondering where all of the "trendy" crowd went that used to hang around Alexanderplatz before they were gentrified out, this is where they went. Let me put it another way, if Berlin were to have a riot of young protestors wanting more social services from the government while the taxpayers and businesses foot the bill, this is where I would go for a front-row seat.

Now Kreuzberg does have some good restaurants in that area, as well as in the more calm Mehringdamm section. There is a really good Indonesian restaurant on Oranienstr. that is also nicely decorated inside. And I do remember one of my friends telling me about a danceclub that opened up in Kreuzberg not to long ago. I really didn't pay much attention because I had no intention of going there. So I don't know the name, nor do I know exactly where it is. If you go online to siegesaeule.de, you should find out all of the information you need. While Berlin has an abundance of gay bars and cafes, it is somewhat short on gay danceclubs. There are two "institutions" to speak of: The Connection in Nollendorfplatz and the former Die Busche (which I believe is now called Club House B) under the Warschauerstr. U-Bahn station. I prefer the music at the latter one. The Connection plays too much house techno crap, but it does have a darkroom if you're not into much dancing.