If you think about Berlin the first thing that comes to mind after the Wall is Party. Most of the touristic flow of the weekend in the city is made up of techno people. Since the 80s the city has been the scene of the best electronic music dance parties. You would have hundreds of choices and every day of the week there is something going on. Rules on how to enter in a club, how to convince the bouncers you just want to dance, have become legend in Berlin. I am not going to talk about Berghain that has gained already status as best club in the world not only for their sound system but especially for the policies at the door and I am not going to tell you how to get into clubs, I am just going to talk about the atmosphere you breath in this clubs, the freedom to be wild and whatever you want for at least one weekend in your life. The power of the dance floor attracts like a magnet and is very easy to catch and never forget. It is everything about the music and the music only! Now put your headset and read on.

Katerblau

Katerblau has a long history in Berlin. Everything started with the Bar 25 which was one of the first symbols of party and freedom in Berlin. Every time I talk with people who used to go to their parties they have a dreamy look and with almost tears in their eyes they just say: “ it was beautiful, absolutely magnificent”. After the closing of the Bar 25 was the turn of Katerholzig. I went there for some parties before they also shut that down and the location had something incredible with a big cat protecting everyone from the top of the main building. Blue cat (Katerblau) which is also the king of one of the building of the newest club situated in the heart of Friedrichshain not that far from the Berlin Wall. Installation in the club reminds one of a big ship. You would expect to find a pirate to command but will be a Dj playing nice tunes from house to techno. Main party is called SaSoMo (Saturday , Sunday and Monday initials in German ) and is going on from Saturday night until Monday afternoon. Yes in Berlin you can rave every weekend. And don’t be surprised if you will have to wait 2 or 3 in the morning to enter in a club.

Holzmarktstraße 25, 10243 Berlin Friedrichshain, Station: S3, S5, S7, S9 Ostbahnhof, U8 Jannowitzbrücke, www.katerblau.de, check the website for opening hours and day of the week.

Kit Kat Club

If you want to wild then Kit Kat club is the place for you. Pay attention, if you are just a tiny bit close minded then don’t go. Kit Kat is one of the oldest clubs in Berlin and they host numerous parties and sometimes the dress code is no dress code. If you think your biceps or six packs are not very well developed then do not bother going. A must in this club and anyway the party that opens bit more the doors for all of you is Gegen, one of the best gay parties in Berlin. The atmosphere is open and perfect for party goers. If you want to relax my favourite spot is around the swimming pool, yes you can take a swim if you’re brave enough. They also have very chill party on Mondays and a bedrooms section in the basement , if you know what I mean…be prepared.

Köpenicker Straße 76, 10179 Berlin Friedrichshain, Station: U8 Heinrich-Heine Straße, www.kitkatclub.org, check the website for opening hours and day of the week.

Tresor

If you say Tresor the first thing that comes in my mind is the cage. This is how the Dj station is called in this club. The Dj plays behind bars in the basement in which you will enter from a corridor that will confuse you with strobo lights. Tresor in Berlin has been for a long time synonymous with techno music, some of the best Djs play here. And the sound system in the basement will make possible for the music to enter every bone of your body. There you can actually feel the music. But not to worry if techno is not your style it will be possible for you to dance on the main floor in the upper part of the building. With a bigger stage and dance floor you can dance nice house music.

Köpenicker Straße 70, 10179 Berlin-Friedrichshain, Station: U8 Heinrich-Heine Straße, www.tresorberlin.com, check te website for opening hours and day of the week.

Wilde Renate

Are you looking for something special and hard to find in other cities? Then Wilde Renate is right for you. It’s an entire building with rooms as dance floors. In the summertime you can enjoy the garden that looks like a playground and the atmosphere is always very relaxed and dreamy. One of the newest parties and a must go in Berlin is House of Red Doors. If you are ready to “feast your eyes on their smorgasbord of artists, installations, performers and spectacular line up of Dj’s” then you can’t absolutely miss this party.

Alt-Stralau 70, 10245 Berlin Friedrichshain, Station: S3, S5, S7, S75, S8, S85, S41, S42 Ostkreuz, www.renate.cc, check the website for opening hours and day of the week.

Polygon

Former Kosmonaut club, Polygon is the new project. After five years of events, former project decides to open their doors to the new. Chill atmosphere and much fun can be found at Kosmonaut. This Berlin club is not really on the list of party goers, which is a shame because the location is really nice. They have a big floor which is great for Dj’s concerts. I went there the first time to a Boris Brejcha one and it was amazing. The atmosphere is super friendly and they have a very nice mini arena outside perfect to rest for a bit from the dance floor and where you can also enjoy a beautiful sunrise. A must if you want to avoid long queues and annoying door policies.

Wiesenweg 1-4, 10365 Berlin Friedrichshain, Station: S3, S5, S7, S75, S8, S85, S41, S42 Ostkreuz, www.polygon-club.com, check the website for opening hours and day of the week.

If you want to find more hidden gems of Berlin, check out my folding maps BertaBerlin and QueerBerlin. They are available in well-chosen locations all over Charlottenburg, Neukölln, Kreuzberg, Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg in Berlin and online. But for those of you, who want to stay up to date, feel free to follow me on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK or register for my NEWSLETTER BertaNews.

My lovely co-author – Carmela was born in Sicily 34 years ago. She moved out from her tiny village at the age of 20 and lived in Italy and around Europe. She works in a hotel for the last two years so if you’re looking for a place where to sleep and for the best advice on Berlin give her a ring. „Dream dream my daughter“ her father used to say, and this is now her motto in life.