"You can see this in the books of Christopher Isherwood, author of 'Goodbye to Berlin,' and of course, in the musical 'Cabaret' that is based on it, both of which had a long-term influence," Hughes explains. Despite Paragraph 175 of 19th-century German law, which prohibited sexual intercourse between men, a gay and lesbian scene flourished in the city. Howard Hughes, formerly a lecturer on tourism at the Metropolitan University in Manchester, and author of the book "Pink Tourism," about the world of gay travel. "Berlin is known for its fetish scene so we devoted a chapter to it."īerlin earned this reputation back in the Weimar period, says Dr. "Our guides are tailored to the destinations," says the publisher. In The Lonely Planet Guide to Berlin, alongside the standard chapter called "Gays and Lesbians," an extra section is devoted to "Sex and Fetish," a heading that doesn't appear in the series' guides to other cities. One can enjoy three museums and two orgies in four days. Indeed, there's something for everyone - men, women, gays, straights, S&M aficionados and esoteric fetishes. In the last few years, Berlin's versatile sex scene has become a strong tourist draw. The Reichstag and the sausage stands aren't the only big attractions here. And Israelis are militaristic and want to control you." In Israel, everyone brings all their inhibitions to the table. "People here really want to have sex, and they're not ashamed to say so. "My first night here I already felt 10 times more pursued than I do in Israel," says Moran, smiling.
CloseĪ recurring subject, when conversing with Israeli tourists who are sampling Berlin's hot sex scene, is the difference between Tel Aviv gays and German gays. The email address you have provided is already registered. Maybe that's why when I invited a German friend to join me, he responded that it was "tourist shit" and said he'd rather stay home and watch TV. The employees are well prepared: They all speak fluent English, not such a common thing in Berlin, certainly not in the sex dens that are supposed to be hidden in the shadows of the city, for those in the know. Lab.Oratory is apparently the most famous sex club in this city, and as such is filled with many tourists. A 50-year-old Swedish fellow asks "What is that language?" The main dance floor is illuminated with a soft red light, and the music is kept at a decibel level that allows for small talk. A couple from Tel Aviv are apparently alarmed to hear about the newspaper article I'm writing and beat a hasty retreat, snorting unpleasantly as they go. Like practically everywhere else in Berlin, you hear Hebrew spoken here, too. Just like that - casually, and without a condom. When he's done, someone else comes along. Someone comes up behind one of them and does whatever he does.
A drinker's paradise, a pervert's Garden of Eden. One part of the place is designed like a stone maze, getting increasingly darker as you get further along in it. In one corner, naked men are lying on mattresses, awaiting any call to action. No perfumes." Drugs are actually a relative matter here. The guidelines at the entrance explicitly state: "Dress dirty. Except for taking pictures or showing up perfumed.
Inside there are a few hundred gay men, of all ages, sizes and colors, and anything goes. The KitKat club in Berlin - Visual photos Visual photos Oh, the associations one has! And then the customers head to the right - and come upon a line of showers. Each person gets a number written on his arm with a black marker. The more modest types keep their shorts on. Most also put their clothes inside and remain in just their underwear. As the guard admits them, each is given an opaque black trash bag in which to deposit his belongings. It's Friday night, and a number of customers are waiting outside the closed door. This is the entrance to Lab.Oratory - which is not a center for scientific research, but rather a sex club for men. It opens only on weekends, for two hours each day. BERLIN - At the far end of the famous Berghain Club, situated a few hundred meters away from the remnants of the wall that once divided the city, there is a hidden side door.