photo: Maxime Ballesteros
With our beloved Mayor Klaus Wowereit leaving his post it also seems that his once so popular slogan “Berlin is poor but sexy” seems no longer suitable. Berlin is still not exactly rich, but with the development of the past 5 years you can’t simply label it as poor – “It’s complicated” would describe it more appropriately. But one thing is sure: Berlin is still damn sexy. And that’s not just because of all the ridiculously hot bearded guys and cute girls in town. It’s because Berlin is still one of the most sexually liberal, expressive and diverse cities you will come across on this planet. It’s ruthlessness, mysteriousness and unexpectedness is what draws so many people here and gives them the pleasure of a lifetime.
To celebrate Berlin’s sexiness we compiled a contemporary guide to the erotic side of Berlin featuring all the sexy places in town including shops, parties, galleries and activities. And for the new Mayor we have a suggestions for Berlin’s next slogan: “Cool and sexy”.
FASHION
DSTM
DSTM – short for Don’t Shoot The Messenger – is probably Berlin’s hottest avant-garde fashion label and therefore on the top of our Sexy Berlin guide. Their designs are elegant, sensual and extremely sexy, lots of subtle black, silky dresses, leather harnesses and belts, and their extraordinary signature nylon tights. Visit their boutique and studio at Torstr. 161 in Mitte.
photo: Maxime Ballesteros
Degenerotika
Degenerotika is Berlin’s answer to New Yorks leather harness wonder Zana Bayne. But the dark and exotic Berlin label has much more than leather accessories, they also create elaborate coats and corsets. Their studio is located at HB55 Kunstfabrik and can be visited by appointment.
UNDERWEAR
Tres Bonjour
This cutting-edge latex lingerie label has transition from a niche underwear studio to an established fashion label thanks to their remarkable designs that melt the worlds of erotic dessous and avant-garde fashion. Their cool boutique is located at Torstr. 3 next to Soho House.
TOYS
Schwarzer Reiter
Technically Schwarzer Reiter could have also been in the two previous categories as they also carry fashion and lingerie. But what I find more interesting about this place that is a direct neighbor if Tres Bonjour at Torstrasse is their selection of sex toys and erotic equipment that I would describe as tasteful compared to the stuff in most other sex shops.
Fun Factory
The concept of Fun Factory at Oranienburger Strasse in Mitte is to repackage the sleazy image of a sex toy shop into the gloss of a lifestyle design boutique. Their selection of toys is also more design friendly and less in-your-face pornographic which makes this place especially interesting for women.
ART
Oliver Rath
Oliver Rath was one of our favorite photographers in town and we especially enjoy his kinky and provocative style and his sense of humor and self-irony. Unfortunately he passed away surprisingly at a young age. But we want to keep his memory also in this guide, because his work made Berlin a little more sexy. Look out for his book Berlin Boheme with some of his best photos!
Atelier Hinrich Kröger
When you walk past the shop of Hinrich Kröger at Gipsstrasse in Mitte you might at first assume it’s just a pottery store, but when you look closer make sure your jaw doesn’t drop onto the pavement. On his vases and plates he likes to paint really explicit sexual activities that make the old Kama Sutra books look like children’s books. But the true star of his collection of artworks is the tattooed sailor with his giant mast.
Schwules Museum
If there’s one thing the queer scene of Berlin knows it’s how to be sexy. The Gay Museum of Berlin features a string of exhibition that won’t shy away from being explicit. Their new exhibition Porn That Way opening on December 6th 2014 and running until March 2015 covers the history of homosexual porn, from the dark and hidden alleys of the 19th century to the extreme openness and over-exposure of sexuality of our modern times.
Sascha Schneider: Triumph of Darkness
PARTY
Pornceptual
The Pornceptual party started as a blog but has developed into the new hotspot for those types of party people that like to go wild and naked. Each party has a different theme so there will be lots of costumes, but also lots of full-on nudity and public make-out-sessions. Raunchy! Takes place once a month in changing locations.
photo: Chris Phillips
Gegen Party
Gegen is another sexy monthly theme party that takes place at the famous KitKat Club. They have a reputation of being one of the most liberal, explicit and sinful night clubs. The Gegen party attracts a wild mix of people but to a large part a younger hip crowd. It’s your chance to wear that sheer blouse or mesh top that you normally never dare to put on.
La Fete Fatale
This probably one of the biggest Burlesque parties in town. It happens only a couple of times per year, but it’s worth the wait as they have really amazing and elaborate live shows. Normally takes place at Bassy Club, Schönhauser Allee in Prenzlauer Berg. The next one happens in May 2015.
The House of Red Door
This is a quite new party happening every once in a while at Salon zur Wilden Renate organized by Bad Bruises. This party offers a couple of sexy performances and shows during the night and creates a quite unique and very sexy atmosphere. The next one is the 1-year-anniversary on January 26th…
ACTIVITY
Tango Loft
There is one dance in the world that is pure sex without actually involving any sex and that’s Tango. In Wedding there is a very special place celebrating this special dance from Argentina. At the Tango Loft you can either learn how to dance it in extensive courses or you can enjoy the dance at one of their Tango events. They also do events in other great venues such as the mirror ball room at Clärchens Ballhaus.
Tantra & Yoga
If you think that Tantra is something for esoteric people only, think again! With the uprise of Yoga and meditation to lifestyle trends of the 21st century also Tantra Yoga, therapies and massages have become quite popular and Berlin has quite a lot of studios offering treatments and courses of this sensual way to experience your own body and sexuality. To give you a few examples: The Spiritual Tantra Lounge offers seminars and massages in their studio in Moabit. If you are looking for some place closer to the center the German Academy for traditional Yoga at the Maha Yoga Zentrum in Mitte offers intense Tantra courses every Friday. The Diamond Lotus Tantra Institue offers coaching, massages and educational programs in Schöneberg.
photo: Spiritual Tantra Lounge
Liquidrom
The Liquidrom is one of the most popular and modern spas in Berlin, thanks to their mysterious looking thermal pool that has a special light and underwater music program at night that especially attracts a lot of couples. They also have several saunas, a steam bath and an outdoor jacuzzi and offer excellent massages. At the bar you can also order a variety of drinks and cocktails and some snacks. And if you look around the place with an open eye you might even find the little private pool in a hidden corner.
