Berlin gay bars and club guide

Hafen is the kind of gay bar in Berlin where you can drop anchor for the night and never feel adrift. Tucked near Nollendorfplatz in the Schöneberg district, this cozy spot has been serving drinks and stories since the early 1990s. The name means “harbor,” and true to form, it’s a safe port for locals, travelers, and anyone up for a bit of cheeky fun. The atmosphere is relaxed but never dull: pop videos on screens, friendly bartenders who pour generously, and a crowd that’s happily mixed. 

When it's nice weather the guys drink their beers outside on the pavement. No tables outside, but on busy evenings people often stand outside. The bar features a small dance floor too.

Prinzknecht is one of Berlin’s most popular gay bars, and it wears its leather heart on its sleeve. Set just off Nollendorfplatz, in the Schöneberg district, it’s the kind of place where muscle meets mischief and beer flows as easily as conversation. The vibe is unpretentious yet cruisy – think industrial décor, cheeky bartenders, and a crowd that’s a mix of locals, expats, and curious tourists. By day it’s perfect for a relaxed drink on the terrace, but by night the place fills with energy, leather, and a good dose of Berlin attitude. In short: Prinzknecht is equal parts bar, hangout, and Berlin institution.

Blond is one of the regular bars in Berlin Schöneberg. It's cosy, with friendly staff, with a terrace outside. The bar serves a range of cocktails. Music requests can be made from a display.

Special events like karaoke nights, bingo and Eurovision parties. Open from the afternoon till late at night.

Grosse Freiheit No 114  is  a local neighbourhood gay bar in Friedrichshain. It's very local and styled like an old sailors hangout. Clean place, friendly staff.

But it's Berlin, and even local bars have a large dark room and cabins.

Die kleine Philharmonie is a very traditional styled gay bar in Berlin Schöneberg. Early evening kind of place. Includes a small stage for acts and performances.

SchwuZ brings you all different kinds of music from latest pop charts to indie, electro and glittery 70s/80s retro music. Check their website for this week's parties!

Berghain is an open minded multi-venue nightclub in a former electricity plant near Ostbahnhof. The main room is the world famous techno dance club . The smaller one is the industrial-style Panorama bar which is also open on Fridays.

In the basement of the Berghain building is Lab.Oratory, a large hard core gay cruise and play club. Lab has its own entrance, and there is no doorway to the Berghain club.
Except twice a year, with the large Snax Club and FC Snax gay fetish parties. 
The Snax parties were the first inhabitants of the building, before it became the club as we now know.

Berghain always has a large queue and strict door policies. Expect 1-2 hour wait. 

Photographing is not allowed. Their Instagram has only one image, saying photos are not allowed :)