photo: Birgit & Bier.
Despite many different efforts and many alternative concepts, it’s the Berlin club scene that is probably suffering the most from Berlin’s cultural landscape during the pandemic as the majority of the places have been locked down now for over a year. While their future is in the balance and a re-opening for indoor partying is not really inside, at least a political movement has managed that they are recognized as places of culture which makes a big difference for them when it comes to taxes and funding.
But the Berlin nightlife scene has always been inventive, so pretty much like last year after the first lockdown where the few clubs that have the luxury of an outdoor area came up with alternative usage concepts such as beer gardens to be able to partially re-open over the summer, the same thing is happening right now with the first clubs already open again for guests.
Read on…
by Frank | Clubs, Pandemic, Party
The clubs of Berlin have reopened with new, Corona-friendly daytime concepts but one key element is missing: dancing. This has forced Berliners to deconstruct the idea of clubbing and ask themselves what they were searching for in clubs before and where they can find it now.
At the risk of stating the obvious, dancing is a big part of club culture. It is fun, it is a way to enjoy the music, and it is refreshing not to sit straight and hold a conversation all the time while being intoxicated. Consequently, the lockdown gave new life to the recently somewhat neglected illegal rave culture. The second part of this series investigates the illegal, private, and spontaneous dance parties that have been popping up all over the city and the controversies surrounding them.
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by Guest Author | Clubs, Party
I admit it: I don’t have TikTok and whatever goes on there has so far completely passed by me. But if there is one video that would actually draw me into it, it’s the one by the beautiful Lola. Earlier this month one of her TikTok videos went viral on her Twitter that I want to share with you here as it’s pure genius because not only is it very accurate, it’s also quite hilarious. In a little montage, she performs the different dance styles that you will typically see at techno parties, not only here in Berlin but I assume worldwide, including the “basic 2 step”, the “roly poly”, the “march” and the “berghain veteran sway”. I think everyone who has been to a techno party will recognize these moves easily, and real techno kids will most likely recognize themselves here. The interesting thing is, she is doing it with such a straight face (as is typical at a rave) that you can’t tell if it’s a mockery or pure education. It’s whatever you decide what it is for you. We absolutely love it and hope to bump into this girl once the clubs reopen…
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by Frank | Party
photo: Jake Davies
It’s cold in Berlin. So, I’m dancing. I’m dancing more than I do in summer. Does that sound weird to you? It’s solely logical, and here’s why:
Generally, we never really stop raving here – because, well, we can. When the first leaves fall, however, and folks get out their army coats and Doc Martens, it drives me onto dance floors all the more. Am I missing the rain outside when I forgot my rain jacket, again? Am I missing freezing on the streets, tucked in my coat, while sweating in the metro, peeling off all the layers? So, when I’m not outside, what am I missing out on?
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by Andy | Party, Stories
photos: Min Kyung Choi
Dearest Berlin, let us dance!
Already wearing your prettiest summer-dress and smiling your brightest smile!
Finally your days are long, your nights short. Melt into each other. Have no beginning and no end.
The melancholic spirit of winter seems long past and is forgiven.
Dark November blues melt simultaneously with my frozen lemon popsicles.
The sky painted in radiant blue. This is why I fell in love with you, Berlin.
Everything is blooming and the city is raging with life. Listening to street musicians while bathing in the sun.
Watching shimmering shadows dancing in the moonlight.
Dreams seem to come true during summer.
Read on…
by Guest Author | Photos, Stories
