BERLIN GAY BARS AND LOUNGES | Popular Events

I couldn't find the best words to describe Berlin at whole. This city supprise me each and every day. A city that gives a smiling face to everyone-young and old all enjoy the splendid of Berlin and for any LGBT traveler this is place to be. Let's checkout some of the cool places:

Tom’s Bar – (10:00 pm – 6:00 am) Berlin’s most famous cruising-oriented gay bar/club. The atmosphere gets markedly hotter the further you go to the back. Behind the table soccer games and the large screen is an entrance to the infamous, cellar-located ‘dark room’. Address: Motzstraße 19, 10777

Möbel Olfe – (Tuesday – Sunday from 6:00 pm) Gay-friendly clientele frequent this popular bar in Berlin-Kreuzberg. “Möbel Olfe” is taken from a huge neon sign above what used to be a furniture store. After it closed, the signage was simply left behind. Address: Reichenberger Str. 177, 10999

The Club – (Tuesday – Thursday 7:00pm – 1:00am; Friday, Saturday 7:00pm – 04:00am) A queer bar in Berlin-Neukölln with trans nights, ‘grrrls’, exhibitions, drag performances, film screenings and art. CLUB is a cozy place to have drinks, hang out and be queer. What could be better? Address: Biebricher Str. 14, 12053

Hafen – (Daily from 8:00 pm) This popular, stylish bar has an artistic twist. When the weather is fine, guys enjoy a beer outside on the pavement. Quizz-O-Rama, a unique quiz show, is presented on Mondays. Address: Motzstraße 19, 10777

Roses – (Daily from 9:00 pm) This has a completely pink interior and, on weekends, is jam-packed. If pink is your color, get to this small, cozy, very campy gay bar. Address: Oranienstraße 187, 10999

Zum Schmutzigen Hobby – (Daily 9:00pm – 2:00am/4:00am) Berlin’s most famous transvestite, Nina Queer, hosts this flashy bar in Berlin-Friedrichshain with a cozy living-room atmosphere and very friendly people. Easy going and casual, the main crowd is 30-something. Address: Revaler Str. 99, 10245

GAY CLUBS AND PARTIES IN BERLIN
-Clubs-

Berghain/Panorama – DJs playing electronic music and live acts on stage in a nightclub that used to be a warehouse. The ice cream bar hidden in the corner upstairs is a great little place to take breaks between stomping sessions. Address: Am Wriezener Bahnhof, 10243.

GMF – Open Sunday from 11 pm, it’s one of the best gay parties in Berlin with a friendly, pleasantly diverse crowd. Everyone from older muscle guys to trendy young queens mixes it up to House/Electro and Pop/R’n’B. Admission: 10 €. Address: Klosterstraße 44, 10179 Berlin

Schwuz – Schwuz has been the place for lesbians, music festivals, queer film, sex parties, discussions, readings, and transvestite shows for over 30 years. It’s a former brewery now offering Saturday and Friday night parties with various music styles. Address: Rollbergstraße 26, 12053

CRUISING & MEN ONLY

Der Boiler – one of the most popular saunas in Berlin located in Kreuzberg. You’ll find a combination of traditional spa amenities plus plenty of darkroom adventures. There’s a nice bar on site with drinks and snacks. Very clean facilities, nice looking guys with a wide range of ages. It’s worth the 20€ entrance price and is open every day of the year. Address: Mehringdamm 34, 10961

N/B: there are so many more cruising bars and kinky places in Berlin. Der Boiler is probably the top choice for sauna but we’ll let you explore the rest on your own! Some possible cruising options might include Tom’s Bar (downstairs), Sheune, Connection Club, Bull and well, the list goes on and on.

POPULAR EVENTS IN BERLIN

Berlin CSD (gay pride) – also called Christopher Street Day. A 12:30 parade: from Kurfürstendamm via Nollendorfplatz and Siegessäule to the world-famous Brandenburger Tor, where the 4:30 pm till midnight closing ceremony takes place.

Stadtfest – the perfect warm-up to Berlin’s Pride. Days before Berlin’s official pride celebrations, the Stadtfest takes place around Nollendorfplatz in the Schoneberg district.

Folsom Europe – lots of parties from Friday till Sunday and a Saturday afternoon international fetish and leather weekend street fair. Europe’s largest gay fetish event.

Hustlaball – features a VIP room with hardcore ‘performances’ on 2 stages by a variety of famous sex stars. Performances cover a number of ‘genres’ including Roman Gladiator, rubber, leather, etc.

DAY TRIPS FROM BERLIN

Potsdam – take S-Bahn S7 line from the Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Cost: 7.40€ for an ABC day ticket. (RE1 is also an option.) If you rent a bike to tour these unforgettable gardens, keep in mind that some are ‘walking-only’ accessible. Consider yourself a photographer? You’ll never find a backdrop the likes of this anywhere!

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp – enlightening but somber, this is one giant history lesson all wrapped up. The real picture of mankind‘s inhumanity toward his fellow man. You’ll learn more spending one day at this somber but tastefully done memorial than in all your history lessons combined. Find the best route/transportation HERE.

Dresden – Dresden railway is an electrified, double track, main line railway through the German states of Saxony, Brandenburg and Berlin, originally operated and built by the Berlin-Dresden Railway Company. You may well need more than one day to shop, eat, drink and sight-see your way through this historic haven! Plan on at least 2 days.You can travel from Berlin by train (cost between $40 and $80, depending on the type of train. Recommended: the EC train – it is cheaper than the ICE and goes directly to Dresden in about 2 hours), by car (about a 2 hour drive) or by bus (2.5 hours for only $12).

Credit Check More From Article Source | Read More About TwoBadTourist

SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES IN BERLIN

TRANSPORTATION & AIRPORT TRANSFER

Berlin has an incredibly developed public transport system including subway, overground train, trams, buses and bike share. Berlin is extremely bike friendly with tons of dedicated lanes and locals stick to their bikes through rain and shine, snow and heat. The transport system can be a bit overwhelming for a first-time visitor. The subway system is called the “U-bahn” while the overground train is called the “S-bahn.” Berlin works on a zone system starting with Zone A in the center and B and C moving out towards the outskirts of the city. Tickets are valid all on all trains and buses and need to be validated at the machine before boarding. The most economical route is to purchase either an unlimited or multi-day ticket or perhaps a 4-ride ticket which offers a discount compared to single rides.

Berlin has two airports: Berlin Tegel and Berlin Schönefeld. Berlin Tegel is in zone B and you can reach the city center by taking either the TXL bus or X9 JetExpressBus with a zone AB ticket, purchased from the machine outside the terminal. Berlin Schönefeld requires a zone ABC ticket since it’s farther out but is connected by the S-bahn train. The train station is not directly at the airport so you’ll take a free transfer bus from the terminal to the station.

SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES IN BERLIN

Brandenburg Gate – During WWII, allied bombing damaged but, thankfully, did not completely destroy the Brandenburg Gate.

Berlin Wall Memorial – An iconic part of Berlin’s history. Grab a beer and take a stroll, or take the Trabi tour along the wall. The story of a bizarre period in time is told by the graffiti artwork.

East Side Gallery – Take a walking tour to see the wall, artwork, and neighborhood. The largest standing portion of the former divide between West and East Germany.

Reichstag Building – Situated just north of the Brandenburg Gate, this building houses the German Parliament. Superb sunsets!

The Holocaust Memorial- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe – While still a tasteful memorial, this is a somber reminder of the horrors of the past regime in Berlin.

Tiergarten – Only minutes from transportation to all of Berlin, this massively lush park stretches through central Berlin and offers a relaxing contrast to the city’s hustle and bustle.

Schwules Museum – This museum chronicles the history of gay culture, both internationally and in Germany specifically. Interesting for a quick visit but perhaps not for everyone.

Credit Check More From Article Source | Read More About TwoBadTourist

10 Reasons Why Madrid is the Best Gay Destination in Europe

Europe is easily the most tolerant and accepting region in the world and there are many cities across the continent where you can let your true colors shine without fear of judgement or harassment. Places like Amsterdam, Berlin or Barcelona are well known for being gay friendly, tolerant and having a large community of LGBT residents. Still, we think Madrid is perhaps the contender for the number one spot on our list of the best gay destinations in Europe. Certainly, there are a handful of cities that compete for this title, but with the mix of its size, gay scene, events and overall vibe, we’d ague to say that Madrid takes the crown.

We’ve teamed up with the new online, gay meeting place Yurnee, to share our favorite aspects of Madrid. Here are 10 reasons why we think you should visit Madrid and see why we think it’s the best gay destination in Europe.

Madrid is Tolerant and Gay Friendly

Madrid is not a city where the LGBT community holds up only it the gay neighborhood. For years Madrid has been known as a tolerant place and you can hold partner’s hand or be affectionate in public and nobody cares. For the most part, local residents are used to LGBT people and you’ll rarely encounter hostility, let alone even a single anti-gay comment or glance from a local. The vibe in Madrid is not just tolerance, but rather acceptance. There are very few cities in the world that offer the same kind of welcome to LGBT+ residents and visitors.

Madrid’s Weather is Great

The weather in Madrid is warm nearly all year and the city has more than 300 sunny days per year. Besides a couple chilly months in January and February (though not terribly cold), Madrid’s climate is pleasant and for this reason you’ll see locals outdoors at all hours of the day. July and August can be a bit warm in the heat of the afternoon but this is the reason why the Spanish siesta is so well known. As the afternoon turns to evening, the weather cools down and it’s extremely pleasant to spend the evening socializing outsides with friends, family or colleagues.

Awesome Gay Neighborhoods

Madrid is full of diverse neighborhoods and each offers their own unique style. Madrid has a great gayborhood, called Chueca and for decades this is where the LGBT community gathered and lived together. But as the city became more open, welcoming and tolerant, the LGBT community has even moved beyond the borders of Chueca to other great neighborhoods like Malasaña, La Latina and Lavapies. Chueca certainly has the highest concentration of gay bars and LGBT specific places, but more and more venues are opening in these other neighborhoods and across the city. In each of these neighborhoods there are always cool new bars, cafes and restaurants opening. You can find some of the coolest new places online with sites like Yurnee or even find a local to show you around.

The Party Scene is on Fire

Madrid is well known across Europe as a city with great nightlife. This reputation holds for both mainstream and gay parties alike. It’s incredibly common to see crowds of people at 6 or 7 in the morning finishing their nights out during the weekends. Both Madrid’s size and large gay population supports a big party scene and you have lots of different options to choose from when going out. The city offers everything from bars, clubs, saunas and more to keep you partying and dancing into the early hours of the morning. After the clubs close at 6am, you can even find after parties that go until 10am or noon in some cases if you so desire. To find the latest events and parties you can take a stroll through Chueca and see the latest posters and flyers advertising the weekend’s events. Or better yet, get connected with a gay local in Madrid who can tell you the best places, events and parties. Checking a dating app is one way to find a local, but if you are really just looking for advice and a social experience (not sex) you might consider signing up for Yurnee, where you can check out profiles of local Madrid residents who can give you tips, advice and show you around the city by day or night.

Madrilenos are Sexy

Residents from Madrid are called Madrilenos and you’ll find no shortage of attractive people in this city. Spaniards are known for having a southern European flare as many share the light skin and dark features that so many find attractive. The city’s mild weather nearly all year and thriving gay community bring attractive people from all around the country and many keep up with appearances by staying in shape and sporting the latest fashion trends.

The LGBT Population is Huge

The local government of Madrid estimates the LGBT+ population to be around 500,000. Since the city and its surroundings has a population just over 5 million, this accounts for about 10% of the entire region. With numbers this large the community simply doesn’t go unnoticed. And beyond the large population, people are not shy to be themselves and be visible in the community. It’s common to see rainbow flags outside of just the gay neighborhood and see LGBT couples and friends all throughout the city expressing themselves without any sense of fear or shame.

Madrid’s Pride is Among the Biggest and Best in the World

Madrid has held its annual gay pride march and celebration now for 40 years and 2017 marks a milestone.  Madrid will host the official 2017 World Pride from June 23rd to July 2nd and this event is expected to draw crowds from around the world. As a way to unite the global pride movement, World Pride has now been hosted for more than a decade in various cities around the World including Rome, Jerusalem, London, Toronto and now Madrid. Madrid Pride is already a great experience attracting more than 1.5 million attendees annually. It’s the largest pride event in Europe and the 2nd in the world. The experience is one of a kind and it has the full energy of the entire city behind it. WorldPride is on track to be bigger and better than ever and the city is expecting upwards of 3 million LGBTQA+ people to attend the 10-day event. The pride parade itself is of course the highlight and it’s not just for watching, you can even join in yourself. Simply find your favorite truck playing the best music and take up a spot behind and walk, march or dance your way to the finish.

LGBT Rights and Protections

Spain is known worldwide for being a progressive country and LGBT residents have had many important rights and protections since the early 90’s. Just 10 years before, Spain was recovering from decades of a repressive government under Franco, the dictator that lead the country since the end of Spanish Civil war. But after Franco’s death, Spain changed tremendously in a short period, likely as a result of the repression. Hate crimes and non-discrimination laws have also been on the books since the 90’s and Spain was the third country in the world to offer full marriage equality in 2005. There is of course still work to be done but given Spain and Madrid’s history and the its leadership of LGBT equality, it’s still recognized for its great accomplishments for its LGBT citizens.

Annual Events Beyond Pride

Madrid hosts a variety of LGBT events throughout the year beyond just gay pride in summer. Yes the pride is the largest gay gathering, but you’ll find smaller things happening in spring, summer, fall and winter. For parties, you’ll find the WE Festival twice a year during New Years and gay pride week when thousands of gays visit to partake in a week-long of dance parties hosted by the WE Group, one of Spain’s top organizers of gay parties. Events with a different flare include GayDays Madrid, a LGBT day at the local amusement park in September, the LGBT film festival Lesgaicinemad in November or MadBear, the annual celebration for bears and admirers held in December.

Tons of LGBT Specific Venues

You’ll find more than 200 LGBT specific venues in Madrid including bars, clubs, shops, saunas, hotels and more to keep you busy and entertained throughout your visit. Bars, clubs and saunas are found throughout the city but most of gay shops, cafes and restaurants are located in and around Chueca. Favorite bars include La Kama, Cazador or LL Bar for drag shows. Popular clubs include Boite, Delirio, Kluster, Baila Cariño and Bearbie. And popular cafes and restaurants are Mama Ines, Café Oliver or Carmencita. Head to Madrid in the summer and you’ll find the gays take over two public swimming pools – one located at Metro Lago in Casa de Campo and the other part of the local University Compultense.

Have we convinced you yet why Madrid is the best gay destination in Europe? Don’t forget to check out Yurnee for all the best listings and tips. You can sign up for a profile and start connecting with fellow travelers or even with locals for free.

Credit Check More From Article Source | Read More About TwoBadTourist