Berlin Pocket Guide

8/9/2019 Berlin Pocket Guide

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Berlin

Games WeekComputer game events

Spring has sprung

Enjoy the parks

April - May 2015

Maps Restaurants Cafés Nightlife Sightseeing Shopping Events Hotels

N°74 - €1.75

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April - May 2015 3 facebook.com/BerlinInYourPocket

Contents

Berlin Charlottenburg & The West 34Genteel western Berlin

Berlin Prenzlauer Berg 44 The gentried north

Berlin Kreuzberg 48Immigrants, anarchists and hipsters

River Tours 57

City Tours 58

Guided walks, bike rides and drivesDirectory & Street register 60

Maps & IndexCity map 61-63Public transport map 64-65Index 66

Transport 5Getting around by S&U

Sports in Berlin 6All about Berlin’s top teams

Basics 8Essential travel tips

Golf in Berlin 9 The best courses in and around the cityCulture & Events 10Roll up for theatre, shows and cinema

Berlin Mitte 20 The delights of the city centre

Berlin Friedrichshain 33Worker’s paradise, student’s playground

BERLIN BOXESScattered throughout the guide you’ll nd boxes withmore information about these topics:

Berlin in books 41Cold War Berlin 43Erasmus Student Network 8

SYMBOL KEYT Child friendly U Facilities for the disabledV Home delivery E Live musicN No credit cards M Nearest S/U-Bahn stationB Outside seating G Non-smoking roomS Take away R Internet

W Wi-FiAdditional symbols for hotels

P Air conditioning A Credit cards acceptedL Guarded parking H Conference facilitiesF Fitness centre K RestaurantD Sauna C Swimming poolDinner price guide The number of euro symbols in our restaurant, caféand nightlife reviews indicates the approximate pricelevel based on a main course with a glass of wine.

€€€€ Expensive; more than €30 per person.€€€ Not cheap; €20-30 per person.€€ Middling; from €10-20 per person.€ Cheap; less than €10 per person.

© Dreamstime.com

All day long Germany’s widest range of undubbedblockbusters and Arthouse films under one roof at Sony Center:

Explore nothing but brand-new English originals at CineStarOriginal and dive into both English and German 3D-feature filmsand 3D-documentaries at CineStar IMAX on Berlin’s largestscreen! Info and tickets on cinestar.de


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4 Berlin In Your Pocket berlin.inyourpocket.com April - May 2015 5 facebook.com/BerlinInYourPocket

Foreword TransportAfter a mild winter, it’s time for Berliners and their visitorsto head outdoors again. The city’s bars will regret the dropin income, but the cheap beers and booze sold at theubiquitous Späti late-night shops and the lush park lawnsbeckon once again. If you’re in town during the rst warmweekend of the year, we recommend you visit TempelhoferFreiheit park, and watch the scene of thousands of Berlinerscrammed on the Grill-areas, enjoying the rst barbecue ofthe season.

For those who like their outdoors to be calm, manicuredand tted out with holes for aiming little white balls at,check out our new golf feature (p. 9) and discover whereyou can play in and around Berlin. Some people whowill shun the sunlight this season are the visitors of theinternational Gamesweek event, who’ll spend their timetrying out and discussing digital games; see p. 19 for details.

Whatever you do this spring, do write in to tell us about yourexperiences, tips and complaints, at [email protected].

Enjoy Berlin.

CZECHREPUBLIC

SOUTHAFRICA

DUTCHCARIBBEAN

POLAND

ROMANIAHUNGARY

SERBIABOSNIA

ALBANIAGREECE

FYRMACEDONIA

BULGARIAMONTENEGRO

ITALYCROATIASLOVENIA

AUSTRIASWITZERLAND

UKRAINE

GEORGIA

BELARUS

LITHUANIA

LATVIA

ESTONIA

RUSSIA

GERMANYBELGIUM

NETHERLANDS

NORTHERNIRELAND

IRELAND

COVER STORYBerlin’s impressive Reichstag build-ing is one of the most well-knownparliament buildings in the world.It was burnt down, conquered bythe Soviets, fenced in by the Walland wrapped in pink canvas beforeit returned to its original purpose,now with a new dome that’s freeto visit.

CITY CARDSDiscounts are a welcome relief, so if you are planningto travel around town a lot and see more than onemuseum, get a reduced rate card. Note that studentsand youths may get better reductions at museumsusing their student ID cards.

BERLIN WELCOMECARD TheBerlin WelcomeCardis a combined transport andreduction card (museums, bike tours/rental, boat tours,etc) valid for zone AB or zone ABC (which includesPotsdam and Schönefeld airport). Cards are valid for 48hours (AB €18,50, ABC €20,50), 72 hours (€25,50/27,50)or 5 days (€32,50/37,50). There’s also a 72-hour variety(€38,50/40,50) that includes free admission to the veMuseumsinsel museums. Cards are sold online and fromBVG ticket machines, tourist offi ces, S-Bahn offi ces, hotelsand kiosks. The similarCityTourCard (www.citytourcard.com) is a little cheaper, with restaurant, bar and clubdiscounts geared towards younger travellers: 48 hours(AB €16,90, ABC €18,90), 72 hours (€23,90/25,90) or5 days (€30,90/35,90).Q www.berlin-welcomecard.de.

MUSEUM PASS BERLIN50 museums, including the permanent collections ofthe Staatliche Museen(state museums), can be visitedwith the Berlin Museum Pass (€24/12, valid three days).It’s for sale at the museums, tourism offi ces and online.Q www.berlin-welcomecard.de.

PublisherIn Your Pocket GmbHAxel-Springer-Straße 3910969 Berlin Tel: +49 30 27 90 79 81Fax: +49 30 24 04 73 [email protected] 1611-9037Printed by Druckteam GbR Berlin.Circulation 20,000 copies bimonthly The public transport map is used under license no. BVG-0079.11.

Editorial Editors Jeroen van Marle, Philippe Krüger, Christina KnightResearch Cecilia Engvall;Layout Tomáš HamanPhotos Jeroen van Marle (JvM), Emilie Guilland (EG)Maps Kartographie EichnerCover © Draghicich | Dreamstime.com

Sales & CirculationGeneral Manager Stephan KrämerProduction Manager Philippe KrügerAccounting Martin WollenhauptAdvertising Managers Philippe Krüger,CoCoMedia ([email protected])

Copyright notice & Editor’s note Text, photos and maps (unless otherwise stated)copyright In Your Pocket GmbH. All rights reserved. Nopart of this publication may be reproduced in any formwithout written permission from the copyright owner. The brand nameIn Your Pocket is used under license fromUAB In Your Pocket (Bernardinu 9-4, Vilnius, Lithuaniatel. (+370-5) 212 29 76). The editorial content ofIn Your Pocket guides is independentfrom paid-for advertising. We have made every effort toensure the accuracy of all information and assume noresponsibility for changes and errors.

Although Berlin is lodged in the middle of the greatempty vastness of northeast Germany, it’s very wellconnected to the rest of civilisation by bus, train, Autobahnand air. Once in Berlin, you’ll wish that your home town hadsuch good public transport.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTBerlin’s integrated network ofU-Bahn (Untergrundbahn,underground trains),bus , and Straßenbahn (trams) runby BVG andS-Bahn and RE (Schnellbahn and regionalcommuter trains run by DB) usually works like a dream. Justremember the number or colour and end station of the lineyou want to use, and you’ll be navigating the labyrinth-likestations like a local.Most S/U-Bahn trains, buses and trams run every 5-15 minutesduring the day. M buses and trams run every half hour atnight; U-Bahn trains run every 15 minutes on weekend nights,with N buses following their routes every half hour (startingfrom Hackescher Markt) on weekday nights.Tickets can be used on all BVG, S-Bahn and local RE trainservices. Vending machines have instructions in Englishand accept coins, often bank notes and cards too. Berlin’sAB travel zone contains nearly everything; you’ll only needan ABC-ticket for Potsdam and Schoenefeld airport.With an Einzelfahrschein ticket (AB-zone €2,70, ABC€3,30) you can travel one-way for up to two hours withunlimited transfers; it’s cheaper to buy four tickets at once(Vier-Fahrten-Karte, €9). Buy a €1,60Kurzstrecke (shortdistance) ticket if you want to travel up to three S/U-Bahnstops, or up to six stops by bus or tram. If you anticipatea lot of travelling, get theTageskarte (day ticket, validuntil 03:00 the next morning; €6,90) or theseven-daypass (€29,50). Groups of up to ve people are best off with aKleingruppenkarte (group day ticket, €16,90). Themulti-dayBerlin Welcomecard (€18,50-38,50) is valid fortransport and some attractions.Before boarding the S- or U-Bahn, alwaysvalidate yourticket by punching it in the yellow or red machines nearthe end of the platforms. On buses and trams, the machines

are on board. Public transport uses the honour system, andthere are regular checks by uniformed and plainclothesinspectors . If you are caught without a valid ticket you’llbe ned €40 on the spot.

BVG The Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe run the U-Bahn, buses andtrams. Their handy trip planner can be found at www.fahrinfo-berlin.de.Q tel. +49 30 194 49, [email protected],www.bvg.de.

TAXISBerlin’s friendly and ubiquitous beige Mercedes taxis can becalled or hailed on the street. They can also be found queingat S/U-Bahn stations and near nightlife hotspots. Not all taxisaccept credit cards, ask when you book. Prices are the sameday and night; agfall plus the rst kilometre is €3,40; then upto 7km it’s €1,79/km, thereafter €1,28/km. Waiting costs €25/

hr. For short hops hail a taxi already driving in the directionyou need to go and immediately ask for theKurzfahrstrecketarriff; €4 for 2km. By the way,Funk means radio.

CITY FUNK Q tel. +49 30 21 02 02, www.cityfunk.de.FUNK TAXI BERLINQ tel. +49 30 26 10 26,www.taxifunkberlin.de.TAXI FUNK Q tel. +49 30 44 33 22, www.taxi443322.de.WBT FUNK TAXI BERLINQ tel. +49 30 26 10 26,www.funk-taxi-berlin.de.WÜRFEL FUNK Q tel. +49 30 21 01 01,www.wuerfelfunk.de.

CYCLINGAs long as it’s dry, getting around Berlin is really best doneby bicycle. It’s a at city, there are plenty of cycle paths andwide bus lanes for you to use and you see so much morefrom the saddle than from the U-Bahn train window. Notethat cycling on the pavement is illegal and may get youned, even though everyone does it. Cycling across townmay take a while, though for €1,60 you can take your bikeon an S/U-Bahn train too. There are dozens ofbike rental places, most charging €10-12 per day. The urban biketrip planner www.bbbike.de can suggest low-traffi c andcobblestone-free routes across Berlin.

ABOUT IYPNot content with publishing morethan 100 guides to cities across threecontinents, In Your Pocket is currentlycarrying out a new round of expansionfor 2015. New cities due to be pocketedinclude Eindhoven in the Netherlands,while some old favourites, such asBudapest in Hungary and the Russianexclave of Kaliningrad will be getting areboot. And there is a brand new digitalplatform to look forward to: we willrolling out the new inyourpocket.comthroughout April and May.

In order to make sure you keep upwith all that’s new atIn Your Pocket ,like us onFacebook (facebook.com/inyourpocket) or follow us onTwitter (twitter.com/inyourpocket).


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Sports in BerlinSports in Berlin

Berlin is without a doubt the German capital of s ports - thecity has no less than six professional sports teams, playingve exciting spectator sports: Hertha BSC and FC Unionplay football, the Eisbären is an ace ice hockey team, Alba isBerlin’s renowned basketball club, the Füchse play handball,and volleyball is taken care of by the BR Volleys. Theirhome matches attract huge numbers of visitors to Berlin’sstadiums; last season alone 2,4 million tickets were soldfor their events. In addition to this, Berlin’s streets regularlyhost huge sports events such as the public viewing festivalsduring major sports events abroad, and the city also hostscountless amateur sports matches.

Despite being rivals, Berlin’s six professional sportscollaborate to improve the circumstances for professionalsports in Berlin, promoting Berlin’s image as an internationalsports event destination.

The home matches of Berlin’s pro teams are easy to visit:you don’t need to understand German to be able to followa match and unlike in other European countries, sportsmatches in Germany are quite peaceful events, meaningit’s no problem to bring the whole family to the stadiumfor an afternoon or evening of fun. Finding out aboutwhich matches are playing where can be problematic forvisitors however as the club websites are not all availablein English, and some make it diffi cult to nd the upcomingplaying dates. In the club details here we have listed allhome matches for the following months, though alwayskeep an eye on the club websites for changes or additionalmatches. Berlin’s offi cial English-language sports websi tewww.berlin-sportmetropole.de has information aboutall the teams, venues and tickets; ticket booking sitewww.eventimsports.de sells tickets for all matches.

Originally from the Charlottenburg on the other (West) sideof the city, the “Albatrosse”, Berlin’s premier basketball club,is now based at the O2 World in Friedrichshain, in the oldEast. It’s one of Germany’s best teams, with plenty of recentwins. It’s fun to attend their home games as the stadium isalways packed with happy and loyal fans of all ages - withhigher attendance than any other European basketballteam. In late 2014, Alba even beat the US NBA winner,San Antonio Spurs. Don’t miss them when they’re playinghome in Berlin.Enjoy cheering for Berlin!ALBA BERLIN BASKETBALL

Also known as the Albatrosse,Berlin’s basketball club isGermany’s most successful, andhas the largest fanbase; homematches easily attract 10,000spectators. The current team’saverage height is an impressive1,98m. Since going pro in 1991,

Alba has won the German League 8 times and theGerman Cup 7 times (including 2013), and was alsothe rst German team to win an international title withthe 1995 Korac Cup.

Alba slam-dunk their way to victory at their home O2World stadium on the following dates:

9 Apr, 20:00: Maccabi Tel Aviv15 Apr, 20:00: Phoenix Hagen24 Apr, 20:00: Crailsheim Merlins30 Apr, 20:00: Eisbären Bremerhaven3 May, 17:00: Brose Baskets Bamberg

Q I-4, Mildred-Harnack-Straße (O2 World),Friedrichshain, M S/U Warschauer Straße, tel. +491805 57 00 11, www.albaberlin.de. Tickets €8-65.

BR VOLLEYS VOLLEYBALL

Berlin’s professional volleyball team originates in thewestern district of Charlottenburg, but plays homematches at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in PrenzlauerBerg. The BR Volleys have been particularly successfulsince the late 1990s, winning the German Bundesligatitle ve times. On 28-29 March 2015, the Final Four ofthe Championships League will be held in Berlin.Theirupcoming home games are:

2 Apr, 19:30: SWD powervolleys Düren9 Apr, 19:30: SWD powervolleys Düren

Q Am Falkplatz (Max-Schmeling-Halle), PrenzlauerBerg, tel. +49 1806 99 1 1 12, www.berlin-recycling-volleys.de. Tickets €13-16.

EISBÄREN BERLIN ICE HOCKEYOriginating in 1953 inEast Germany’s Dynamosports club, the ‘polarbears’ is Berlin’s popularprofessional ice hockeyteam. They have wonthe national DeutscheEishockey Liga 7 times,more than any otherteam, most recently in2013 under Canadian

coach Jeff Tomlinson. They also bagged the Euro-pean Trophy in 2010; unfortunately they were notas lucky in recent seasons. But their home matchesat the O2 Stadium are true family fests, with plen-ty of young fans packing the seats, and a festive,good-humoured atmosphere.The Eisbären unfortu-nately didn’t make it through to the nals, so theirseason ends early in 2015, and there are no up-coming home matches spring.Q I-4, Mildred-Har-nack-Straße (O2 World), Friedrichshain, M S/UWarschauer Straße, tel. +49 30 97 18 40 40, www.eisbaeren.de. Tickets €18-46.

FC UNION BERLIN FOOTBALL

FC Union is the working man’s football team forBerlin, originating in East Berlin in 1966 and a fearedcounterpart for the GDR’s state-inuenced Dynamoclub. Union is still ercely independent, based in theircharming An der Alten Förstereistadium. The club hasresisted all commercialism, with a club anthem sungby punkrock legend Nina Hagen, and a stadiumuniquely partly owned by passionate fans. NicknamedEisern Union (iron union), it had a tough time in the1990s, but has had more success in the nationalcompetitions since the early 2000s.Upcoming homegames:

12 Apr, 13:30: VfR Aalen26 Apr, 13:30: FC Ingolstadt 049 May, 13:00 FC Erzgebirge Aue24 May, 15:30: TSV Eintracht Braunschweig

Q An der Wuhlheide 263 (Stadion An der AltenFörsterei), Köpenick,M S Köpenick, tel. +49 30 65668 80, www.fc-union-berlin.de. Tickets €14-43.

FÜCHSE BERLIN HANDBALL“The foxes’, Berlin’shandball team, is partof an old West Berlinsports club, and nowplays home matchesin Prenzlauer Berg’sfamous Max-Schmel-ing-Halle, named afterthe German boxinglegend who was worldchampion heavyweight

between 1930-32. The Füchse compete in Germany’sHandball Liga and the European Champions League,and won the German cup at the end of the very suc-cessful 2013-2014 season.Upcoming home games:

1 Apr, 19:00: HSV Hamburg8 Apr, 19:00: TuS N-Lübbecke21 Apr, 19:00: SG BBM Bietigheim9 May, 16:45: SC Magdeburg24 May, 16:45: SC Magdeburg

Q G-1, Am Falkplatz (Max-Schmeling-Halle),Prenzlauer Berg, M S/U Schönhauser Allee, tel.+49 30 44 30 44 30, www.fuechse-berlin.de. Tickets€12-50.

HERTHA BSC FOOTBALL

Berlin’s main football team plays home matches atthe impressive Olympiastadion, Germany’s second

largest stadium which was built for the 1936Olympic Games and renovated for the 2006 WorldCup. Hertha competes in the national Bundesligaand internationally in the UEFA Cup and UefaChampionships League. Hertha dates back to 1892 andis know as the ‘Alte Dame’, the old dame, witnessing itsglory years between 1926 and 1931 when it reachedthe German Championship nals 6 times, winning ittwice. Nowadays Hertha’s fortunes are mixed, but thefan base remains loyal.Upcoming home matches:5 Apr, 17:30: SC Paderborn 0718 Apr, 15:30: 1. FC Köln3 May, 17:30: Borussia M’gladbach16 May, 15:30: Eintracht FrankfurtQ Olympischer Platz 3 (Olympiastadion),Charlottenburg, M S5 Olympiastadion, tel. +491805 18 92 00, www.herthabsc.de. Tickets €15-89.

Alba playing at the O2 World Stadium


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Basics Golf in Berlin

BASIC DATA Population: Germany: 81,751,602;Berlin: 3,460,725Longest river in Germany: Rhine, 1319km. The Spree is 403km.Highest point of Germany: Zugspitze, 2962mHighest point of Berlin: Teufelsberg, 114mHighest natural point of Berlin:Victoriapark Kreuzberg, 66mBerlin’s territory: 900 square kilometers

DRINKS & ALCOHOLGermans like their beer, drinking about 107 litres per capitaper year (down from 136 litres 15 years ago). UnfortunatelyBerlin’s local brew, the slightly sour Berliner Weiße, is only real-ly palatable ‘mit Schuss’, with a shot of sweet fruit sirup. Cock-tails and long drinks of varying quality and price are availablein a multitude of places. Non-alcoholic drinks often sippedin Berlin include Apfelschorle, a refreshing mix of apple juiceand sparkling water, and Club-Mate (‘kloob mah-tea’) ice tea,made with extract of the South American maté plant, caffeineand tannins, and is popular with local hipsters as it comes ina screw top bottle so you can hiply tote it around (or drink to just below the top label and top it up with wodka).

CRIME & SAFETYBerlin is a relatively calm and safe place. Instances of pettycrimes are low compared to other Western European cap-itals, though you shoulds still always keep an eye on yourvaluables and never leave bags, wallets and mobile phonesunattended. Just like anywhere else, be careful when walk-ing in unlit streets late at night. Race-related hassles seldomoccur in Berlin’s touristed central areas.

ELECTRICITYElectrical current in Germany is 220v AC, 50 Hz via stand-ard European round, two-pin sockets. Converters can be

bought at the airport and large electronics shops, andmany hotels will have them at the front desk too.

MONEYGermany uses the euro (€). Banknotes come in denom-inations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. Coins,whose design depends on in which country they wereminted, come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50cents and €1 and €2. Credit and debit card payment ispossible in a wide range of shops, restaurants and nightlifevenues, though always have cash on you for small payments just in case. This guide indicates which places do not acceptplastic. ATMs can be found everywhere; those that chargefor transactions clearly indicate the fee during the process.Exchange offi ces can be found at the major train s tations.

VISAS AND ENTRYFORMALITIESEU citizens can stay in Germany as long as they like, thoughregistration at a Bürgeramt offi ce is offi cially required for s taysmore than a few months. Citizens of Australia, Canada, HongKong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Mexico USA and a fewothers can enter Germany without a visa for a maximum of 90days in any six month period. All other nationals need to applyfor a German visa in advance. Note that there’s no passportcontrol between Germany and the other 14 European ‘Schen-gen’countries, and visas to any of these are valid for travel inGermany too. All visitors need a passport that is valid for atleast fourth months from the date of arrival; EU citizens can

enter with a valid EU identity card too. Check the MFA websitefor the latest immigration details: www.auswaertiges-amt.de.

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ERASMUS STUDENTNETWORKHow do international students get to meet localsand the city during an academic exchange? Thebest way to do it is via the Erasmus Student Network(ESN), one of the biggest interdisciplinary studentassociations in Europe. It was developed to helpinternationals during their stay abroad. ESN is presentin more than 430 Higher Education Institutions in 36countries. The closest section to Berlin is the sectionin Potsdam, where more than 20 volunteers care foryou. For information, see potsdam.esngermany.org orwww.facebook.com/esn.lei.potsdam.

With endless forests, lakes and pretty countryside in alldirections, Berlin and the surrounding state of Brandenburgoffer plenty of opportunities to get out of the city and playsome golf in a calm green setting. The “gentleman’s game”has evolved a lot since the early days, and now is popularwith people from all walks of life. The fall of the Berlin Wall25 years ago helped open up many new locations to playthe sport outside of the city. Here we list the main coursesin and around Berlin.

GOLF COURSES The following golf courses all have driving ranges andpractice facilities; many of them offer Early Bird and Twilightrates too. The reviews list the type of courses, the drivingtime from central Berlin, and the greenfee for weekdays/weekends respectively, and mention when you can bookonline.

BERLINER GOLF CLUB GATOW18 holes and 6 practise holes, 35mins, €55/70, onlinebooking.Q Sparnecker Weg 100, tel. +49 30 365 00 06,www.golfclubgatow.de.

BERLINER GOLF UND COUNTRY CLUB MOTZENER SEE18 & 9-holes, 40mins, €68/85.Q Am Golfplatz5, Mittenwalde, tel. +49 33 76 95 01 30, www.golfclubmotzen.de.

GOLF & SPA RESORT SCHLOSS WILKENDORF2x18-holes, 6-hole practise, 55mins, €60/58, onlinebooking.Q Am Weiher 1, Altlandsberg, tel. +49 3341 3309 60, www.resort-schloss-wilkendorf.com.

GOLFCLUB KALLIN18 & 9-holes, 50mins, €50/70, online booking.Q Am Kallin1, Nauen OT Börnicke, tel. +49 332 30 89 40, www.golf-kallin.de.

GOLF CLUB PANKOW BERLIN18 & 9-holes and 6 practice holes, 22mins, €46/58.Q Blankenburger Pasterweg 40, tel. +49 30 50 01 9490, www.golf-pankow.de.

GOLFCLUB PRENDEN18 & 9-holes, 50mins, €45/55.Q Waldweg 3, Wandlitz, tel.+49 333 96 77 90, www.golfplatz-prenden.de.

GOLFCLUB STOLPERHEIDE2x18 holes, 6 practice holes, 30mins, €50/90, onlinebooking.Q Am Golfplatz 1, Hohen Neuendorf, tel. +493303 54 92 14, www.golfclub-stolperheide.de.

GOLF UND LAND CLUB BERLIN WANNSEE18 & 9-holes, 30mins, €120/100; weekends only with amember.Q Golfweg 22, tel. +49 30 806 70 60, www.wannsee.de.

SPORTING CLUB BERLIN SCHARMÜTZELSEE3x18-holes, 60mins, €45/80, online booking.Q Parkallee3, Bad Saarow, tel. +49 3363 16 33 00, www.sporting-club-berlin.de.

GOLF IN WALL

All golfers are welcome to enjoy the wide fairways atWall, a calm village north of Berlin. The 18-hole course

is suitable for players of all levels, and beginners canperfect their swing on the 9-hole practise course.Situated in the pretty Brandenburger Rhinluchs areaand near to a nature reserve, there’s even chance ofspotting rare birds as you play. 55mins from BerlinMitte; €31, weekends €45.Q Am Königsgraben 1,Wall, tel. +49 33 92 57 11 35, www.golfinwall.de.


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Culture & EventsCulture & EventsBerlin is blessed with a large number of quality theatresand halls, top-quality artists and relatively cheap tickets- and an annual cultural budget of over €900 million tofund it all. Sports lovers can choose from a wide variety ofmatches played year-round.

OPERA & CLASSICAL MUSIC DEUTSCHE OPER BERLINWest Berlin’s 1960s opera building with its excellentacoustics hosts superb musical and theatrical performances.Donald Runnicles is the principal conductor.Q B-3,Bismarckstraße 35, Charlottenburg, M U DeutscheOper, tel. +49 30 34 38 43 43, www.deutscheoperberlin.de. Tickets from €16.

KOMISCHE OPERStarting off as theTheater Unter den Lindenin 1892, thebuilding’s monumental neo-baroque main hall survivedwartime bombing, and reopened in 1947. It shows classicmusic, ballet and opera pieces. Translations in Englishare shown on a screen on the seat in front of you.Q F-3,Behrenstraße 55, Mitte, M U Französische Straße, tel.+49 30 20 26 00, www.komische-oper-berlin.de. Tickets€9-150.

KONZERTHAUS BERLIN Together with the Deutscher and Französischer Domchurches, the Konzerthaus forms Berlin’s most spectaculararchitectural ensemble. Built by Friedrich Schinkel in 1821,

it was badly damaged in the war and only reopened as aconcert hall in 1984. The Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester playsat the venue.Q F-3, Gendarmenmarkt 2, Mitte, M UStadtmitte, tel. +49 30 203 09 21 01, www.konzerthaus.de. Tickets €10-99.

STAATSOPER IM SCHILLERTHEATER The venue for Daniel Barenboim’s award-winningStaatskapelle orchestra. Temporarily housed in theSchillertheater until renovations of their grand theatre onUnter den Linden are completed.Q C-3, Bismarckstraße110, Charlottenburg, M U Ernst-Reuter-Platz, tel. +49 3020 35 45 55, www.staatsoper-berlin.org. Tickets €14-220.

SHOWS ADMIRALSPALAST This former army bathhouse was famous for its cabaret,operetta house, spa and brothel in Berlin’s roaring 20s.Hitler cleaned up their acts in the 1930s, installing a privatebox so that he could watch his favourite operetta ‘TheMerry Widow’, and Brecht tried out his new theatre herefrom the 1950s. With several theatres, it now puts on plays,concerts and musicals.Q F-3, Friedrichstraße 101, Mitte,M S/U Friedrichstraße, tel. +49 30 47 99 74 99, www.admiralspalast.de. Shows Tue-Sun 20:00. Tickets €21-79.

BERLIN RESIDENCE CONCERTS The Berlin Residence Orchestraconsists of well-known musi-cians, who interpret baroqueand classic opera with a keensense of the compositions fromthat era. The result is an extraor-

dinary concert event, with musical highlights presentedtrue to the original style and aristocratic sound. Guests cancombine the concert with a tour of Charlottenburg castle,and a dinner amidst hundreds of candles.Q B-3, Spandau-er Damm 22-24, Charlottenburg, M S Westend, tel. +4930 25 810 350, www.residenzkonzerte.berlin. Dinner

18:00, concert 20:00. Tickets €29-127.

BLUE MAN GROUP The (quite literally) Blue Man Group has been wowingaudiences for years in their Bluemax Theatre. The visually andmusically powerful show is suitable for foreigners as it has littlespoken German, and now has been thoroughly revamped,with many new sketches and elements.Q E-4, MarleneDietrich Platz 4, Mitte, M S/U Potsdamer Platz, tel. +491805 44 44, www.bluemangroup.de. Shows Tue, Fri 21:00;Wed, Thu, Sat 18:00, 21:00; Sun 18:00. Tickets from €69.

FRIEDRICHSTADT PALASTNo one does over-the-top better than the producers andlong-legged dancers and acrobats of Friedrichstadtpalast. This venue normally puts on the glitziest, biggestrevues in town.Q F-3, Friedrichstraße 107, Mitte, M UOranienburger Tor, tel. +49 30 23 26 23 26, www.show-palace.eu. Tickets €18-106.

HINTERM HORIZONT The musical based on the songs of German rock legendUdo Lindenberg is a hit with the locals, and using the freeportable translator device (book in advance), internationalvisitors can follow the spoken scenes too. ‘Behind thehorizon’ is an East-West love story set in Berlin: a WestGerman rock singer falls for an East Berlin beauty, who spieson him for the Stasi in order to save her brother. Years later, ina reunited Germany, they piece together their history.Q E-4,Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 1 (Stage Theater am PotsdamerPlatz), M Potsdamer Platz, tel. +49 1805 44 44, www.stage-entertainment.de. Shows 19:00, Fri 20:00, Sat15:30, 20:00, Sun 14:30. Mon closed. Tickets €38-97.

TIPI AM KANZLERAMTContinuing a tradition that started a century ago in Berlin,the Tipi team wine, dine and entertain guests for an eveningin their elegant year-round tent in Tiergarten park. Beforethe show starts, gourmet food is served. Then it’s over tothe artists featured that night to entertain the audience.Q E-3, Große Querallee, Tiergarten,M U Bundestag, tel.+49 30 39 06 65 50, www.tipi-am-kanzleramt.de. Shows20:00, Sun 19:00. Tickets €15-45.

WINTERGARTEN VARIÉTÉOne of Berlin’s famed variety theatres was revived hereas a dinner theater. Seated around tables, you’ll enjoy ashow with acrobats, magicians, clowns, jugglers and more.Before the show, waiters take orders for meals which areserved during the break. New shows are put on severaltimes per year.Q E-4, Potsdamer Straße 96, Tiergarten,M U Kurfürstenstraße, tel. +49 30 58 84 33, www.wintergarten-berlin.de. Shows Wed-Sat 20:00, Sun18:00. Tickets €37,20-70,20.

BERLIN RESIDENCECONCERTSEnjoy classical concerts and a festive dinner in royalsurroundings. Exclusive culinary delicacies andmusical masterpieces are combined in the magicalsurroundings of the Great Orangery CharlottenburgPalace. The Berlin Residence Orchestra presentsrenowned masterpieces by outstanding composers;this season enjoy the special Easter and RomanticMusic concert series.

Easter concerts: 3,4,5 April, 20:00.Mozart’s masterpieces: 10,11,15,18,24,25,29 April;2,9,10,16,20,23,24,27,30 May; 20:00.Romantic concert: 1,8,15,29 May; 20:00.Sunday Matinee, Chamber music in theOrangerie: 5,12,19,26 April; 11:00.

BERLIN RESIDENCE CONCERTSQ Spandauer Damm 22-24, Charlottenburg, tel.+49 30 25 81 03 50, www.residenzkonzerte.berlin.Dinner 18:00, concert 20:00.

Mozart‘s Masterpieces

Compositions of Te Marriage of Figaro,

Don Giovanni orEine kleine Nachtmusik

from 10th of April, 2015

Dinner & Concert Klassik à la carte

ickets 030 25 810 35 [email protected]

www.residenzkonzerte.berlin

EVENT TICKETS Tickets can be purchased at the venues, via hotelconcierges, at ticket offi ces (also in major departmentstores) and online.

EVENTIMAn online booking service with eventtickets mailed or available for home printing.Q tel. +49180 557 00 70, www.eventim.de.

HEKTICKET Ticket shops and online sales (for homeprinting, pick-up or mailing). Reduced same-day ticketsfor shows and attractions are available after 14:00. Alsoat Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 13, Mitte.Q C-4, Harden-bergstraße 29d, Charlottenburg, M S/U Zoologis-cher Garten, tel. +49 30 230 99 30, www.hekticket.de. Open 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 14:00 - 18:00.

KOKA 36Kreuzberg’s Konzertkasse has tickets in theirshop and online (German only), for mailing and pick-up.Q H-4, Oranienstraße 29, Kreuzberg, M U Gör-litzer Bahnhof, tel. +49 30 61 10 13 13, www.koka36.de. Open 09:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Clos ed Sun.

PAPAGENARegular and reduced price tickets forclassical music, opera and theatre. Call for English-lan-guage service.Q tel. +49 30 47 99 74 44, www.khs.papagena.de.


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Culture & EventsCulture & EventsTHEATRE, MUSIC & DANCEBerlin has dozens of venues for performances. There’slots of great theatre, but most of it is German-language;it’s getting better, with English plays or surtitles in sometheatres.

Berlin is the world capital of contemporary dance; look forshows by Sasha Waltz, perhaps the best choreographeraround. The Staatsballett Berlin is the main classicdance company. Tanzraumberlin magazine (www.tanzraumberlin.de), available at the venues, lists all danceevents.

ENGLISH THEATRE BERLINBerlin residents, whether native English speakers ornot, come to this theatre for the edgy programmingon the little black box’s stage.Q F-5, Fidicinstraße 40,Kreuzberg, M U Platz der Luftbrücke, tel. +49 30 69112 11, [email protected], www.etberlin.de. Tickets€14-18.

HALLE TANZBÜHNEA monumental school gym, used for excellent moderndance productions by the Toula Limnaios company.Q G-1, Eberswalder Straße 10-11, Prenzlauer Berg, M UEberswalder Straße, tel. +49 30 44 04 42 92, www.halle-tanz-berlin.de. Tickets €15.

HEBBEL AM UFER HAU Three small theatre s (the other s at Stres emanns traße29 and Tempelhofer Ufer 10) perform experimentaltheatre (often in English or mute) and dance.Q F-4,Hallesches Ufer 32, Kreuzberg, M U Hallesches Tor,tel. +49 30 259 00 40, www.hebbel-am-ufer.de.Tickets €11-18.

KOOKABURRA COMEDY CLUBLaughing matters at this comedy club, which hasalternating English-language stand-up comedy nights

every month: Kim Eustace on the rst Tuesday, and theinteractive ComedySportz show on the second and fourth Tuesday. Also look for Karsten Kaie’s show “How to becomea Berliner in one hour”.Q G-2, Schönhauser Allee 184,Prenzlauer Berg, M U Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, tel. +4930 48 62 31 86, www.comedyclub.de. Tickets €5-16.Shows Tue-Sun.

HISTORISCHES MUSEUM:1945

The Second World War ended in Europe on the 8th ofMay 1945 with the capitulation of the Wehrmacht. Sixyears of war had cost the lives of millions of peopleand brought with it a previously unknown degree ofdestruction. War and occupation, crimes, expulsionsand forced resettlement had left a lasting mark oneach country and population. On the occasion of the70th anniversary of the German capitulation, the new“1945 – Defeat. Liberation. New Beginning.” exhibitionat the Historisches Museum focuses on a snapshot ofGermany and eleven other countries. It examines thesituation in which these societies and political systemsfound themselves at the end of the war, as well as themost important upheavals of the post-war period. Inaddition, it sheds light on the everyday lives of people. Thirty-six juxtaposed biographies form the basis foran investigation of the consequences of the war yearsfor the people – without qualifying or weighing theexperiences or the suffering of the different individualsagainst one another.

“1945 – Defeat. Liberation. New Beginning. TwelveEuropean countries after the Second World War.”From24 April to 25 October 2015; English-language tour Fri14:00.

DEUTSCHES HISTORISCHES MUSEUM, Unterden Linden 2, tel. +49 30 20 30 40, www.dhm.de.Open 10:00 - 18:00.

ASK THE CONCIERGEBerlin’s top hotels all have concierges that are thereto make the guest’s lives easier. They can inform youabout current events, book tickets, make restaurantreservations and hand out copies ofBerlin In YourPocket , transport maps, and brochures. Concierges canbe recognised by the crossed golden keys on the lapelsof their jackets.

There are many ways tospend a night in Berlin.But spending an Evening

at its C asino coul d be anunforgettable one.

Spielbank-berlin.de+49-(0)30-255 99 0Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 110785 BerlinOpen daily 11am - 5am

Guest must be 18 or over and show a valid I D card .Please remember togamble Responsibly.

Bl ack Jack Poker

Slotmachines

Rou le t t e

.

QUATSCH COMEDY CLUB“Quatsch” is the delicious German word for nonsense, andthere’s plenty of it in the shows held in the Friedrichstadtpalasttheatre basement. Most are in German, but look out forspecial guests and the regular English-language “StrictlyStand Up” nights. Drinks and snacks like nachos and hotdogs are available.Q F-3, Friedrichstr. 107, Mitte, M S/UFriedrichstrasse, tel. +49 1806 999 00 09 69, www.quatsch-comedy-club.de. Tickets €25-35. Shows Thu-Sun.

RADIALSYSTEM VA fantastic theatre, dance and music venue in an oldpumping station along the Spree river. There’s a restaurantand café too.Q H-4, Holzmarktstraße 33, Friedrichshain,M S Ostbahnhof, tel. +49 30 288 78 85 88, www.radialsystem.de. Tickets €5-41.

SCHAUBÜHNESet inside a quirky former 1920s cinema, the politically andsocially engaged repertoire of this venerable ensembletheatre ranges from classics to contemporary plays, andregularly travels abroad, giving famed directors like ThomasOstermeier, Falk Richter and Katie Mitchell and actors likeLars Eidinger and Nina Hoss the chance to shine abroad.Every month, several shows have English and/or Frenchsurtitles. There’s a good theatre café with drinks and simplemeals too.Q B-4, Kurfürstendamm 153, Charlottenburg,M U Adenauerplatz, tel. +49 30 89 00 23, www.schaubuehne.de. Tickets €7-47.

For more culture go toberlin.inyourpocket.com

The poet Jewgeni Dolmatowski in Berlin, 2 May 1945 - Foto:Jewgeni Chaldej © Sammlung Ernst Volland und Heinz Krimmer,Stiftung Deutsches Historisches Museum

WEST:BERLIN EXHIBITION To anyone who realises how crazy Berlin’s history is,it’s not surprising at all that the West:Berlin exhibitionis located in an elegant palace in the former EastBerlin that itself was dismantled and stored in rivalWest Berlin for many years. For half a century, WestBerlin was a heavily politicised and highly subsidised‘Island of Freedom’marooned inside the GDR, and 500

exhibits with English captions show the developmentof this half of the city, from post-war ruins via itsfunction as a showcase of the western Allies, and fromthe years of decline after the fall of the Wall in 1989to its current revival. Photographs, art, objects, carsand an audio-salon with the sounds of the half-citydemonstrate why West for many is still best. Englishtexts available at the ticket desk.

WEST:BERLIN, until 28 June. Open Tue-Sun 10:00- 18:00, Wed 12:00 - 20:00. Ephraim-Palais, G-3,Poststr. 16, tel. +49 30 24 0 0 21 62, www.west.berlin.Admission €7, rst Wednesday of the month free.


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Culture & EventsCulture & Events

EventsCLASSICAL MUSIC1 April, 20:00Gidon Kremer (violin), Martha Argerich (piano)Works by Weinberg, Franck and van BeethovenPH

4 April, 16:30West-Eastern Divan OrchestraConductor: Daniel Barenboim; Works by Debussy, Boulezand RavelPH

10 & 11 April, 20:00Berliner PhilharmonikerConductor: Sir Simon Rattle; Hector Berlioz - La Damnationde FaustPH

13 & 14 April, 20:00Staatskapelle Berlin, Gidon Kremer (violin)Conductor: Daniel Barenboim; Works by Sibelius andBrucknerPH

15 April, 20:00Klassische Philharmonie BonnConductor: Heribert Beissel; Works by Elgar, MendelssohnBartholdy and BeethovenKH

15-18 April, 20:00Berliner PhilharmonikerConductor: Riccardo Muti; Works by Mozart, Busoni andStraussPH

DEUTSCHE OPERBerlin’s famous Deutsche Oper orchestra moves backinto its home theatre after extensive renovations thiswinter. All the more reason to visit and watch oneof their performances. Several shows have English-language subtitles so visitors can follow the action; seethe website for details. The highlights o f Berlin’s famousDeutsche Oper orchestra for April and May are:

April 18: Premiere: Romeo & Juliet, withchoreography by Sasha Waltz

April 10: Neue Szenen II - OhioApril 19,25: LohengrinApril 23,30: Don CarloMay 6,7,8: Hoffman - TischlereiMay 7,10,14,24: Eugen OneginMay 8,13,15: Fausts VerdammnisMay 19: ValentinaMay 29: Die Liebe zu den drei Orangen

DEUTSCHE OPER BERLIN, Bismarckstraße 35, tel.+49 30 34 3 8 43 43, w ww.deutscheoperberlin.de.

CINEMASForeign lm offerings in German cinemas are oftendubbed so check www.critic.de/ov-movies-berlin orlook in listings magazines likeTip and Zitty , for subtitledlms; these are marked in withOmUor OmengU(original version with German/English subtitles) andOF orOV(original version);DFmeans German version.

ADRIA The lmBerlin, wie es war , black and white footage ofold Berlin, in German, screens every Sunday at 11:30.Q Schloßstraße 48, Steglitz, M S/U Rathaus Steglitz,tel. +49 180 505 07 11, www.cineplex.de. Tickets€7,40-9,40.

BABYLON MITTEA 1920s lmhouse with a great program, but bewareof dubbed lms. The building itself is a example of NewObjectivity. Occasionaly there are screenings of silentlms accompanied by the 1929 organ.Q G-2, Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 30, Mitte, M U Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, tel. +49 30 242 59 69, www.babylonberlin.de.Tickets €7.

CENTRAL KINOArt-house lms and mini lm fests take place in thissmall, but comfy cinema at the very back of a scruffycourtyard.Q G-2, Rosenthaler Straße 39, Mitte, M SHackerscher Markt, tel. +49 30 28 59 99 73, www.kino-central.de. Tickets €6,50, Tue, Wed €5,50.

CINESTAR IMAX & ORIGINALCineStar IMAX has blockbuster lms and documentariesin English on the biggest screen in town, featuring IMAXquality of projection and sound. The CineStar Originalcinema has Germany’s widest range of Hollywoodand arthouse movies in their original English version.Q E-4, Potsdamer Straße 4, Tiergarten (So ny Center),

M S/U Potsdamer Platz, tel. +49 30 26 06 64 00,www.cinestar.de. Tickets €6-13.

HACKESCHE HÖFEMainly shows foreign lms in their original language.Q G-2, Rosenthaler Straße 40, Mitte,M S HackescherMarkt, tel. +49 30 283 46 03, www.hackesche-hoefe.org. Tickets €8; Mon, Tue €6,50.

SPUTNIK Berlin’s highest cinema screens a lot of indie lms,many in English, and sometimes very long ones. Ina back courtyard of a large complex, it may seem abit dicey working your way to the theater, but it’ssafe, small, and friendly. Bricks make up part of thefurniture.Q G-5, Hasenheide 54, Kreuzberg, M USüdstern, tel. +49 30 694 11 47, www.sputnik-kino.com. Tickets €5-6,5.

18 April, 20:00Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester BerlinConductor: Kent Nagano; Works by Widmann, Grieg andStravinskyPH

20 April, 20:00Grigory Sokolov (piano)programme TBA

23 April, 20:00I Musici di Roma, Magali Mosnier ( ute)Works by Antonio, Bach and GeminianiPH

23-25 April, 20:00Berliner PhilharmonikerConductor: Andris Nelsons; Works by Gruber and MahlerPH

26 April, 20:00Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, ThomasZehetmair (violin)Conductor: Ton Koopman; Works by Bach, MendelssohnBartholdy and MozartPH

28 April, 20:00Yundi (piano)Works by ChopinKH

1 & 2 May, 20:00Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester BerlinConductor: Herbert Blomstedt; Works by Mozart and BrucknerPH

5 May, 20:00Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, ChristineSchäfer (soprano)Conductor: Marek Janowski; Works by StraussPH

6 May, 20:00Tchaikovsky Symphony OrchestraConductor: Vladimir Fedoseyev; Works by ShostakovitchKH

7 May, 20:00Yevgeny Sudbin (piano)Works by Haydn, Beethoven, Rachmaninov and SkrjabinKH

8 May, 20:00Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, AndrásSchiff (piano)Conductor: Sakari Oramo; Works by Dvorák, Eliasson andBrahmsPH

WINTERGARTEN:MAGICAL MYSTERY

The Wintergarten Theatre shows are inspired by alegendary century of revue theatre in Berlin, made bigby Marlene Dietrich and other stage divas. The originalWintergarten unfortunately didn’t survive the SecondWorld War, but its resurrection here on Potsdamer Strassekeeps the show going on. Until 7 June, the “Breakin’Mozart”show combines variety performances and classicalmusic, adding the unlikely element of breakdancing bythe award-winning DDC Company dance group. Besideswhirling dance shows, there’s diabolo wizardry, partneracrobatics, and a male contortionist. Mozart’s music isperformed live in both orchestra versions and modernhuman beatbox adaptations.WINTERGARTEN VARIÉTÉQ Potsdamer Straße96, Tiergarten, M U Kurfürstenstraße, tel. +49 30 5884 33, www.wintergarten-berlin.de. Shows Wed-Sat20:00, Sun 18:00.

Marcel © Photo: Jonathan F. Kromer

FILM FESTIVALSApart from the huge Berlinale lm festival in February,Berlin has over 40 smaller international lm festivalsthroughout the year, often focused on a country or theme.15-22 April: Achtung Berlin, www.achtungberlin.de8-15 Apr: Arab Film Festival, www.allm.de22-29 April: FilmPolska, www.lmpolska.de10-20 May: Jewish Film Festival, www.jffb.de22-26 April: Sehsuchte, Potsdam, www.sehsuechte.de6-10 May: Punk Film Festival, www.toodrunktowatch.de4-9 May: Black International Cinema, www.black-international-cinema.com21-24 May: Xposed Queer FF,www.xposedlmfestival.com


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Culture & EventsCulture & Events

6 May, 20:00Manfred Mann’s Earthband (Prog Rock)AD

14 May, 20:00I Am Kloot (Indie Rock)PB

19 May, 19:00Ariana Grande (Pop)MS

27 May, 20:00Blind Guardian (Metal)HX

23-25 May, 20:00Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester BerlinConductor: Marek Janowski; Works by Strauss (son) andLehárPH

26 & 27 May, 20:00Staatskapelle BerlinConductor: David Afkham; Works by Rihm, Beethoven andShostakovitchPH

29-31 May, 20:00Berliner PhilharmonikerConductor: Lorin Maazel; Works by Stravinsky and TchaikovskyPH

CONCERTS3 April, 20:30Von Spar (Pop)GR

8 April, 20:00Indochine (Pop)PB

11 April, 20:00The Prodigy (Techno)VD

15 April, 20:00Gentleman & Guests (Reggae)CH

17 April, 20:30Roni Size (Drum’n’Bass)GR

24 April, 20:30Electric Wire Hustle (Hip Hop/Soul)GR

9 & 10 May, 19:00Berliner Philharmoniker, Frank PeterZimmermann (violin)Conductor: Mariss Jansons; Works by Bartók, Shostakovitchand RavelPH

13 May, 20:00St. Petersburger Philharmoniker, Julia Fischer(violin)Conductor: Yuri Temirkanov; Works by Brahms andBeethovenPH

14-16 May, 20:00Berliner PhilharmonikerConductor: Paavo Järvi; Works by Schumann, Prokoevand ShostakovitchPH

17 May, 20:00Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, HilaryHahn (violin)Conductor: Leonard Slatkin; Works by Beethoven and SukPH

21 May, 20:00Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin,Christopher Park (piano)Conductor: Christoph Eschenbach; Works by Rachmaninovand ShostakovitchPH

22 May, 20:00Berliner PhilharmonikerConductor: Gianandrea Noseda; Works by Petrassi, Straussand TchaikovskyPH

ROCK THE BALLET& JAMES TAYLOR

In the “Rock the Ballet” show, at Berlin’s Tempodromon 2 and 3 April, talentedyoung dancers take balletaway from classical music,instead moving to musicby Coldplay, Prince, U2and others. With energetic

dance, video projections and great music, it’s quitea spectacle.

For something less ener-getic but just as impressive,visit the Berlin concert ofJames Taylor & Band on12 April. Taylor has beensuccessfully writing andperforming folkrock for

decades, wielding his guitar and characteristicvoice to earn five Grammys and sell over 100 mil-lion albums. For more information and tickets seewww.semmel.de.

TICKETS: 030 / 479 974 77 | www.semmel.de

D ie Hig hlig ht s au s 3 Show s!

04/02 + 03/2015 Tempodrom 8:00 pm

starring BAD BOYS OF DANCE

RASTA THOMAS´

Mit den Hits von

COLDPLAY, U2, PRINCE,MICHAEL JACKSON U.V.M.

CollienKonzert&Theater undSemmelConcertspräsentieren:

www.rock-the-ballet.de

04/12/2015Tempodrom

8:00 pm

05/13/2015 Lido 20:00 Uhr

05/16/2015 O2 World 7:30 pm

Potsdamer Straße 96, D-10785 Berlin TiergartenTicket Hotline:+49(0)30 -588 433 or just print yourtickets at home: www.wintergarten-berlin.de

S U I T A B L E F O R I N T E R N A T I O N A L V I S I T O R S

www.apunktmpunkt.de · Artwork& Foto by flow n mary

Directed by and featuring CHRISTOPH HAGEL(„Flying Bach“), DDC COMPANY („Got to Dance“

nalists 2013) and Top-Artists of BASE Berlin

Only till 7 June 2015Wed – Sat 20:00 · Sun 18:00 · Tickets from € 32Prices plus advance booking fee and € 2 system fee/ticket

n E W M i x _ n E W A R T i s T s

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presented by

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KNUTSCHFLECK EVENTSBerlin’s new Burlesque-style cocktail bar, convenientlylocated near many of the hotels around Alexanderplatz,has a programme of events to keep you entertained.

Every Friday and Saturday from 20:00 there’s a 3,5-hours show with live music, singers, dancers andacrobats. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 20:00guests can grab the microphone themselves for a spotof karaoke – with a free drink for singers. Sundays from20:00 is Open Mic night, when anyone with talent isinvited up on stage.

KNUTSCHFLECK, Alexanderstr. 3, Mitte, www.knutscheck-berlin.com. Open 12:00 - 02:00, Fri &Sat 12:00 - 04:00.


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Culture & Events Games Week Berlin

WHERE TO WATCH SPORTS KILKENNY IRISH PUBFun & football, a drink or two and a bite to eat go handin hand. And if that’s what you’re after, the Kilkenny IrishPub is where you nd it. Watch all major sport events,Champions League, Premier League, Formula One etc.on large screens, together with locals and tourists fromall over the world.Q G-3, Am Zwirngraben 17-20,Mitte, M S Hackescher Markt, tel. +49 30 283 20 84,[email protected], www.kilkenny-pub.de. Openfrom 12:00. EGBW

THE HARPJust one minute off Kurfürstendamm, The Harp is ahaven for music and sports fans alike. Two bars, a cozyambience, four large TVs and two big screens providethe setting for a great night out, or an afternoon fullof excitement and entertainment while followinginternational football, rugby and other sports, orplaying a round of darts.Q B-4, Giesebrechtstraße15, Charlottenburg, M U Adenauerplatz, tel. +49 3022 32 87 35, [email protected], www.harp-pub.de.Mon-Fri from 15:00, Sat, Sun from 10:00.EBW

EXHIBITIONSUntil 14 JuneDance of the ancestorsAn exhibition of 220 stunning artworks from Oceania,made by tribes along the middle and lower reaches ofthe river Sepik in Papua-New Guinea, an area that hasfascinated European scholars and artists – especially fromBerlin – since the early 20th century.MG

Until 31 JulyPanda – a black-and-white sensationChildren’s eyes lit up and photographers jostled for the bestview when the female panda Yan Yan arrived at Berlin Zoo20 years ago. The zoo hoped for baby pandas, but sadlyYan Yan died childless in 2007. Museum taxidermists haveprepared her for a nal show together with her male partnerBao Bao. The accompanying exhibition explains the lifestyleand curious appetite of these unusual yet iconic bears.

TRADE FAIRS20-27 AprilInternational Games Week Berlinwww.gamesweekberlin.comVarious venues

VENUE LIST BERLINAD ADMIRALSPALAST, Friedrichstraße 101-102,tel. +49 30 47 99 74 99, www.admiralspalast.de.

CH COLUMBIA HALLE, Columbiadamm 13-21,tel. +49 30 698 09 80, www.columbiahalle.de.

GR GRETCHEN, Obentrautstraße 19-21, tel. +49 3025 92 27 02, www.gretchen-club.de.

HX HUXLEY’S NEUE WELT, Hasenheide 108-114,tel. +49 30 627 93 20, www.huxleysneuewelt.com.

KH KONZERTHAUS BERLIN, Gendarmenmarkt,tel. +49 30 20 30 90, www.konzerthaus.de.MG MARTIN GROPIUS BAU, Niederkirchner-straße 7, tel. +49 30 25 48 60, www.gropiusbau.de.

MS MAX SCHMELING HALLE, Am Falkplatz, tel.+49 30 44 30 45, www.max-schmeling-halle.de.

NK MUSEUM FÜR NATURKUNDE, Invalidenstraße 43, tel. +49 30 20 93 85 91,www.naturkundemuseum-berlin.de

PB POSTBAHNHOF, Straße der Pariser Kommune8, tel. +49 30 69 81 28 20, www.postbahnhof.de.

PH PHILHARMONIE, Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße1, tel. +49 30 25 48 80, www.berliner-philharmoniker.de.VD VELODROM, S-Bahnhof Landsberger Allee,www.velodrom.de.

Many less youthful readers who are unfamiliar withcomputer gaming may be surprised at the rapid growththe sector has undergone since the days it was just asilly hobby for some awkward 1980s nerds. Gaming isa major industry today, generating billions of euros ofturnover.

From April 21-26, the International Games Week2015 will attract around 10,000 gaming developers andenthusiasts from around the world, who descend on

Berlin to meet, discuss industry developments compete,buy, sell, and try new games. The Games Week takesplace at various venues in Berlin and is an umbrella brandfor many events. Highlights of the week are the offi cialopening summit at the Kino International cinema, theQuo Vadis games business and development conference,the A Maze video games festival, the Gamefestfan festival at the Computerspielemuseum, a VIPmatchmaking dinner and the Appsworld trade fair. Formore information seewww.gamesweekberlin.com.

MORE THAN 10 EVENTS IN ONE WEEKFOR INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS,

MEDIA AND FANS IN BERLIN

WWW.GAMESWEEKBERLIN.COM

D t a l e n t s

In cooperation withSupported by

APRIL 21-26, 2015

medienboardBerlin-BrandenburgGmbH

© International Games Week Berlin/Uwe Völkner (FOX)

© International Games Week Berlin/Uwe Völkner (FOX)


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Mitte MitteMaster chef Herbert Beltle and his team serve award-winning dishes with ingredients sourced fresh from themarket.Q F-3, Französische Straße 25, Mitte, M UFranzösiche Straße, tel. +49 30 203 75 18 50, www.aigner-gendarmenmarkt.de. Open 12:00 - 02:00. €€€.TUGBSW

BORCHARDTBorchardt didn’t have to invest much to make a goodrst impression - the mere height of the ceiling and thebuilding’s original tile oors whisper class and luxury. Themoney and creative energy goes into the kitchen, whichcomes up with a different menu each day to keep itsregular clientele surprised. Leave the pork to the Germans,the beef dishes here are delectable.Q F-3, FranzösischeStraße 47, Mitte, M U Französische Straße, tel. +49 3081 88 62 62, www.borchardt-restaurant.de. Open from11:00. €€€. GB

FACILAt the Mandala Hotel’s Michelin-starred gourmetrestaurant, chef de cuisine Michael Kempf createselegantly light fare using only fresh, local products directfrom the market. The menu changes daily and has anemphasis on tasty vegetables and exotic herbs. Facil’sdesign is a post-modern, glass-box Asian pavilion witha large central skylight that retracts.Q E-4, PotsdamerStraße 3, Tiergarten, M S/U Potsdamer Platz, tel. +4930 590 05 12 34, www.facil.de. Open . Closed Sat, SunOpen 12:00 - 15:00, 19:00 - 23:00. Closed Sat, Sun. €€€€.UGBW h

FISCHERS FRITZ The restaurant ’s name comes from a tongue-t wisterand the light, fish-focused menu is for a very refinedpalate. Chef Christian Lohse has won several of theMichelin stars that appear none too oft in Germany. The German chef first trained in Dijon and has sincepleased gourmands such as those atThe Dorchesterin London and the Sultan of Brunei (as a private

chef). The dining room has light woods, deep carpetsand a fireplace.Q F-3, Charlottenstraße 49, Mitte,M U Französische Straße, tel. +49 30 20 33 63 63,www.fischersfritzberlin.com. Open 12:00-14:00;18:30-23:00. €€€€. PAG hh

PARIS MOSKAUMany train passengers rolling into Hauptbahnhof station -on the line between Paris and Moscow - have wonderedabout this unusual half-timber house, stubbornlypositioned between new government offi ces and hotels.Inside, a wonderful gourmet restaurant has been servingup up al la carte and set menu meals for 30 years now.Expect dishes such as a rack of lamb in Dijon herb crust,tuna steak and roast duck breast. On weekdays, there’s alunch menu as well.Q E-3, Alt-Moabit 141, Tiergarten,M S/U Hauptbahnhof, tel. +49 30 394 20 81, www.paris-moskau.de. Open 12:00 - 15:00; 18:00-24:00, Sat,Sun 18:00 - 24:00. €€€. A

INDIAN AAPKALocated on a pretty street corner near Zionskirchplatz, Aapkaoffers healthy vegetarian, curry and grill dishes. You candrop by for the lunch menu and on Sunday join the youngPrenzl’Berg crowd for a relaxed brunch - or drop by later forcocktails.Q G-2, Kastanienallee 50, Prenzlauer Berg, M URosenthaler Platz, tel. +49 30 44 01 04 94, www.aapka.de. Open 12:00 - 01:00, Sun 11:00 - 01:00. €€.B

INTERNATIONAL NOLA’S AM WEINBERG This hip restaurant overlooks a sloping park. Thepredominantly Swiss menu lends itself to the terrace,which is perfect for pretending to be in the mountain air ofSt. Moritz. Breakfast is served until 16:00 and you can ordermeals until midnight.Q G-2, Veteranenstraße 9, Mitte,M U Rosenthaler Platz, tel. +49 30 44 04 07 66, www.nola.de. Open 10:00 - 01:00. €€. TUGBS

REINHARD’SReinhard’s friendly staff can whisk a coffee to your tablein no time, or if you’re here for the food, one of the lightmeals. The large restaurant is situated in the Nikolaiviertel,and is well-positioned for a break during a city walk.Q G-3,Poststraße 28, Mitte, M U Klosterstraße, tel. +49 30 24252 95, www.reinhards.de. Open 09:00 - 24:00. €€-€€€.TGBS

TRAUBEIn an elegant building with an interior by Hans Kolhoff, ‘TheGrape’ serves gourmet cuisine together with an excellentrange of wines. Dishes are often Alpine-inspired: cross-over food from southern Germany, Alsace, Switzerland andAustria. Guests can choose from a la carte dishes or composetheir own menus, with or without wines. The two-courseset lunch menu is great value.Q F-2, Reinhardtstraße 33,Mitte, M S/U Friedrichstraße, tel. +49 30 27 87 93 93,www.traube-berlin.de. Open 12:00 - 15:00, 18:00-23:45,Sat 18:00 - 23:45. Closed Sun. €€€. TGB

Restaurant PARIS-MOSKAUAlt-Moabit 141tel. 394 20 [email protected]

Mon-Fri 12:00-15:00Mon-Sun from 18:00

CAFÉS BARCOMI’S DELIBarcomi’s is well known for its house-roasted coffee andluscious American hand-made baked goods. In the cakewindow there are several kinds of cheese cake, lemonmeringue cake, devil’s food cake, pecan pie and otherheavenly creations. Bagels can be eaten with Phillycream cheese spreads, and at this Mitte outlet thereare also salads, sandwiches and soups. The KreuzbergKaffeerösterei outlet (Bergmannstraße 21) has fresh coffee.Q F-5, Sophienstraße 21, Mitte, M S Hackescher Markt,tel. +49 30 28 59 83 63, [email protected], www.barcomis.de. Open 09:00 - 21:00, Sun 10:00 - 21:00. €.TGBS

SANKT OBERHOLZA large two-oor café overlooking the busy street crossing.Something of a public workspace for IT entrepreneurs fromthe surroundingSilicon Allee internet startups, it’s the idealplace to crack open a Mac and get some work done usingthe free wi and electricity plugs. Or just come for thecoffee, bagels, muffi ns and New York chees ecake.Q G-2,Rosenthaler Straße 72a, Mitte, M U Rosenthaler Platz,tel. +49 30 24 08 55 86, www.sanktoberholz.de. Open08:00 - 24:00, Fri 08:00 - 03:00, Sat 09:00 - 03:00, Sun09:00 - 24:00. GW

BACK TO SCHOOL The Die Schule restaurant in the Prenzlauer Berg districtis not just a place for trying German cuisine. It’s thewatering hole for adult students from all around theworld who are learning German at the GLS languageschool, in the same complex. They’re greatly helped bythe location of the school in a vibrant neighbourhoodwith plenty of bars, restaurants and quirky boutiques.

DIE SCHULEQ Kastanienallee 82, Prenzlauer Berg,tel. +49 30 780 0 8 95 50, w ww.gls-restaurant.de.

GLS LANGUAGE SCHOOLQ tel. +49 30 78 00 8927, www.gls-berlin.de.

ASIAN KAMALARespectable Thai cuisine is served in a colonial atmosphere,where heavy, dark wood tables are adorned with wovenplacements, orchids and tall candles. TheTom Yam Gaisoupis crowded with chicken and piping hot, and the curries arerich and buttery.Q F-3, Oranienburger Straße 69, Mitte,M U Oranienburger Tor, tel. +49 30 283 27 97, www.kamala-thaifood.de. Open 12:00 - 23:30, Fri, Sat 12:00 -

24:00, Sun 11:00 - 23:30. €€.AB

MONSIEUR VUONGHanoi and Saigon have landed in a chic little red Vietnameserestaurant in Mitte. There are only ve dishes and two dailyspecials, but they’re so delicious you’ll be ordering a secondbowl of rice to soak up the leftover sauce. After yourgóibo, try some jasmin or artichoke tea. You’ll have to ghtthe über-cool crowds for a table as Mr. Vuong doesn’t takereservations.Q G-2, Alte Schönhauser Straße 46, Mitte,M U Weinmeisterstraße, tel. +49 30 99 29 69 24, www.monsieurvuong.de. Open 12:00 - 24:00. €. S

FINE DINING AIGNEROne of Berlin’s best places to eat, Aigner is truly international,as its name, concept and all the old furnishings originatefrom a famous Viennese café that closed in the 1980s.

FOOD WITH A VIEW KÄFER DACHGARTENWhen time is money, you may as well spend it on agood meal while visiting the Reichstag dome. Makea reservation to be whisked up to your meal and a180-degree view of eastern Berlin. German specialitiesare highlighted and a regional name appears in mostmain course listings. Last orders are taken at 21:30.Bring ID to get into the buidling.Q F-3, Platz derRepublik 1,Tiergarten, M S/U Brandenburger Tor,tel. +49 30 22 62 99 33, www.feinkost-kaefer.de.Open 09:00 - 10:15, 12:00-16:30, 18:30-24:00. €€€.AB

PANORAMA CAFÉ The 1930s-style café atthe top of the popularPotsdamer Platz viewingpoint has large windowsand an open terrace withgreat views over Berlin,and serves coffee, cakesand other snacks.Q E-4, Potsdamer Platz 1,

Tiergarten, M S/U Potsdamer Platz, tel. +49 30 25 9370 80, www.panoramapunkt.de. Open 11:00-19:00,Nov-Mar 11:00-17:00. Tower admission €6,50/5, familyticket €15,50.


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Mitte Mitte ESCHSCHLORAQUE RÜMSCHRÜMPAn island of insanity in a sea of overpriced HackescherMarkt pomp: this veritable den of delights and monsterscan be found hidden at the dark end of a graffi tiedcourtyard. There are disturbing metal beasts sticking fromthe crumbling walls, affordable beers and cocktails, a stage,plenty of smoke, and a wonderful set of characters intent onhaving a good night out. In summer, the outdoor cinema inthe back yard shows foreign lms in original version.Q G-3, Rosenthaler Straße 39, Mitte, M S Hackescher Markt,[email protected], www.eschschloraque.de.Open 14:00 - open end Open from 14:00. ENBW

KNUTSCHFLECK The ‘hickey’ is Berlin’s newest Burlesque-style bar, onAlexanderplatz. Run by a group of local ladies, this is a café,Biergarten, restaurant, cocktail bar and show theatre inone. Every Friday and Saturday there’s live music and stageperformances, inspired by Coyote Ugly, Rocky Horror PictureShow, Pulp Fiction, Moulin Rouge and more. On Tuesday and Thursday guests are welcome to sing karaoke. There’s alsolocal food, beer and cakes, and a selection of 150 cocktails thatuctuate in price as demand changes.Q G-3, Alexanderstr.3, Mitte,M S/U Alexanderplatz, www.knutschfleck-berlin.com. Open 12:00 - 02:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 04:00.

MEIN HAUS AM SEEIt’s all about seeing and being seen at some Mitte bars; the‘My Lake House’makes it very easy with its large slope ofseating steps overlooking a landscape of granny furniturelit up by discoball sparkles and all draped with natteringlocals and backpackers from adjacent hostels. Open 24/7,it’s a cafe, bar and restaurant all at the same time. Onthe menu are drinks, exotic coffee varieties and chilli hotchoc, as well as great breakfasts (till 18:00), tasty burgers,pasta dishes and snacks. At night, DJs spin music.Q G-2, Brunnenstraße 197, Mitte, M U Rosenthaler Platz,tel. +49 30 27 59 08 73, [email protected],www.mein-haus-am-see.blogspot.de. Open 24 hoursOpen 24/7. €. TUENGBSW

REINGOLDA lounge glowing in amber tones recalls the thirties with anoversize drawing of Thomas Mann’s forlorn offspring, Klaus andErika, and leather and velvet seating. Though it often has a DJ,no one dances here. It’s a setting for making stationary moveson your date, or your tapas.Q F-2, Novalisstraße 11, Mitte,M U Oranienburger Tor, tel. +49 30 28 38 76 76, [email protected], www.reingold.de. Open 19:00 - 02:00, Fri, Sat19:00 - 04:00. Closed Mon, Sun Open from 19:00. ClosedMon, Sun. UB

CLUBS GRÜNER SALONChandeliers dress up this o ccasional club venue, talk-showstage, and cabaret. Grab your partner for standard eveningslike Thursday Tango and Friday Swing.Q G-2, Volksbühne,Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz 2, Mitte, M U Ros a-Luxemburg-

SOPHIENECK A favourite of locals and tourists alike, Sophieneck is one ofthe most charming cafés in Mitte. Located near HackescherMarkt since the revamp of the district in 1984, it has resistedtrendication, staying true to its warm mishmash decorof art nouveau and poster art. The menu offers deliciousCentral European fare, accompanied by an international winelist.Q G-2/3, Große Hamburger Straße 37, Mitte, M UWeinmeisterstraße, tel. +49 30 283 40 65, www.sophieneck-

berlin.de. Open 12:00 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 02:00.

THE DIGITAL EATERYJust a click away from Brandenburg Gate, inside thehistorical 1902 Carlton Hotel building, Microsoft’s very rstcafé showroom worldwide is a relaxing, untouristy spotto recharge. Browse the small but excellent selection ofpasta or meat dishes prepared fresh at the counter (€8,90),or the soup, paninis and cakes. Recharge your electronicdevices or use the free wi. Best of all are the digital toysthat allow you to go online, try out Microsoft products orplay Xbox games.Q F-3, Unter den Linden 17, Mitte, tel.+49 30 39 09 70, www.digitaleatery.de. Open 09:00 -19:00, Sat 11:00 - 20:00, Sun 12:00 - 18:00.W

Nightlife

BARS AUFSTURZ The great 19th-century explorer Alexander von Humboldtlived in this building, but nowadays the only expeditionsdone here are through the long drinks menu, listing dozensof excellent Belgian, German and other beers. Have a Kwakbeer to really kick off your night. Prices are reasonableand the place looks good, with changing modern artexhibitions on the walls. Our favourite OranienburgerStraße haunt.Q F-3, Oranienburger Straße 67, Mitte, M SOranienburger Straße, tel. +49 30 28 04 74 07, [email protected], www.aufsturz.de. Open from 12:00. EB

EASTWOOD BERLIN MITTEA high-end lounge bar and weekend club nearbyGendarmenmarkt, with a glamorous modern interior bylocal designer Emell Gök Che, a regularly changing cocktailmenu, and champagne. The club part is open on weekendnights, when DJs pump out house, lounge, electro and jazz sounds - use the VIP table service to make the night

complete.Q Rosmarinstr. 8, Mitte, tel. +49 30 20 67 9054, [email protected], www.eastwood-berlin.de. Open 20:00 - 03:00. Closed Sun. Club open Fri/Sat 23:00-06:00. W

Knutscheck

www.inyourpocket.comEastwood Bar & Lounge

Platz, tel. +49 30 24 59 89 36, www.gruener-salon.de.Open Thu 21:00 - 04:00; Fri, Sat 23:00 - 04:00.

KAFFEE BURGER The patterned wallpaper and wood panelling has withstooddecades of the alternative scene’s smoke and its stuck-in-the-Socialist-Sixties-look is perfect for DJ/author Vladimir Kaminer’wild and sweatyRussendisko nights. Happenings like poetryslams and jams start evenings that end with DJs spinninganything from Balkan and surf rock to samba.Q G-2, Torstraße

60, Mitte,M U Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, tel. +49 30 28 04 6495, www.kaffeeburger.de. Open from 21:00. E

ROTER SALON This place probably began with a faded elegance, but let’ssay it’s just settled in after ten years of clubbers bouncing offits red walls. Most nights feature electro pop, electro lounge,and electroclash - the music Berlin is known for.Q G-2,Volksbühne, Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz 2, Mitte, M U Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, tel. +49 30 417 175 12, www.roter-salon-berlin.de. Open 22:00 - 04:00. Closed Tue, Sun.

WEEK END CLUBA club, bar, gallery and lounge set on the 12th oor of thebeautifully hideousHaus des Reisens(the GDR state travelagency specialising in saying ‘no’) on the corner of Otto-Braun-Straße.Q G-3, Alexanderplatz 5, Mitte, M S/UAlexanderplatz, www.week-end-berlin.de. Open Thu-Sat 23:00-04:00.

BRANDENBURGER TOR

BORCHARDTS

U n t e r d e n L i n d e n

F r a n z .S t r

B e h r e n s tr a s s e

F r i e d r i c h s t r a s s e

G l i n k s t r a s s e

R o s m a r in s t r a s s e

U n t e r d en L i n d e n

EVENTS & RESERVATIONS

Eastwood Club

Friday and Saturdayfrom 11 pm - open end


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Mitte MittePUBS KILKENNY IRISH PUB The three large rooms within the Hackescher Markt S-Bahnstation offer more than enough space for natives andtourists to eat homemade food, meet and mingle, partyand follow live sports events. Large TVs and screens makesure that you won’t miss a single goal. Irish and Germanbeer, whiskey and other cold beverages ow freely.Q G-3,Am Zwirngraben 17-20, Mitte, M S Hackescher Markt,tel. +49 30 283 20 84, [email protected], www.kilkenny-pub.de. Open from 12:00. EGBW

Sightseeing

LANDMARKS BRANDENBURGER TORBerlin’s landmark monument, built by Carl Langhansin 1792, is the last remaining of 14 city gates. Nike, thegoddess of victory, drives the four-horsepower chariotatop the gate. German armies used to begin their paradeshere, the fascists spoiled the gate by staging their torch-litmarches through it, the war badly damaged it, and then theWall essentially bricked the patched-up gate in for decades.Berliners celebrated the Wall’s fall in 1989 by standing on itin front of the gate, and after renovations the gate is theproud focus point of the renewed square again.Q F-3,Pariser Platz, Mitte,M S/U Brandenburger Tor.

NEUE SYNAGOGE The gilded cupola of the New Synagogue is one of the mosteye-catching sights in Mitte. Exhibits strikingly balancethe restoration of the Alhambra-inspired synagogue from1866, with preserved evidence of its destruction, rston Kristallnacht on November 9, 1938, and then throughAllied bombs. Documents and photographs remember thethriving Jewish community of the neighbourhood, many o fwhom worshipped here in what was the largest synagogue

in Germany. A subtle but effective sound installation addsto the experience.Q F-3, Oranienburger Straße 28-30,Mitte, M S Oranienburger Tor, tel. +49 30 88 02 83 00,www.centrumjudaicum.de. Open Sun, Mon 10:00-

20:00, Tues-Thur 10:00-18:00, Fri 10:00-17:00; Mar & Octuntil 14:00 on Fri; Nov-Feb also Sun-Thu until 18:00. Satclosed. Admission €3,50/3.

NIKOLAIVIERTELBerlin’s tiny medieval heart is the Nikolai Quarter, whose onlytruly medieval-looking building today is the Nikolaikirche. The church dates to 1230 and was rebuilt along with theentire quarter in the 1980s to mark Berlin’s 750th birthdayin the area in which the shermen’s settlement rst began.No one was trying to outdo Walt Disney here, and manyof the buildings have the simple, concrete facades thatthe GDR government could afford. The small shops in thearea mostly deal in toys and souvenirs and tourists gladlyll the sunny tables at the restaurants that face the river.On Rathausstraße, there’s a row of restaurants that auntold-fashioned Berlin cuisine and atmosphere. Other rebuilthistoric buildings in the area date to the 1700s, such as theEphraim-Palais and Knoblauchhaus. Both have changingexhibits related to Berlin.Q G-3, Nikolaikirchplatz, Mitte,M U Klosterstraße, www.stadtmuseum.de.

POTSDAMER PLATZOnce a busy intersection at the modern heart of a thrivingmetropolis, Potsdamer Platz was heavily damaged in the

war, and suffered again when most remaining buildingswere demolished to make way for the Wall’s death strip.Hotel and offi ce skyscrapers now add a cosmopolitan edgeto the city, while to the east Leipziger Platz is almost rebuilt. The most popular public space and architectural attractionis the Sony Center , with its huge atrium and tent-likeroof, best viewed at night for its impressive lighting. The neighbouringDaimlerChrysler complex holdsarchitecture by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, and theArkaden shopping mall.Q E/F-4,M S/U Potsdamer Platz.

REICHSTAG The name together with its monumental size make mostpeople associate Germany’s neoclassical parliamentarybuilding with the Nazis, but they have little history here. Afterhosting parliamentary sessions since 1894, it was set on re just one month after Hitler was appointed chancellor inJanuary 1933. It was a conference centre in the years duringwhich it abutted the Wall, while later artist Christo famously

wrapped it in cloth. It was used as parliament again after areunited German government returned to Berlin in 1999.Renovated by Sir Norman Foster, this building is perhapsthe most public federal building in the world through itsglass dome. On the rooftop, photographs documentingthe building’s history circle the rim above the parliamentchamber. Two ramps spiral up the side of the dome,an engineering feat even more fascinating than thepanoramic view from the top. It’s best to book an entrytime to the dome or for the 90-minute guided tour ofthe building in advance online; otherwise queue upfor remaining places at the visitor centre just across theroad. Photo ID is required.Q F-3, Platz der Republik 1,Tiergarten, M U Bundestag, www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/visits. Open 08:00 - 23:00 Prebooked rooftopaccess every 15 minutes. Guided tours at 09:00, 10:30,12:00, 13:30, 15:30, 17:00, 18:30, 20:00. Admission free.

CHURCHES BERLINER DOM The fourth incarnation of this Protestant church dating from1905 might not look as massive if the Stadtschloss werestill standing across Unter den Linden (the GDR regimedemolished the castle in 1951). The royal Hohenzollerndynasty worshipped and was buried here. The climb up

to the dome’s rim is forgiving, with broad staircases, sideexhibit rooms and good views.Q G-3, Am Lustgarten,Mitte, M S Hackescher Markt, tel. +49 30 20 26 91 36,www.berlinerdom.de. Open 09:00 - 20:00, Sun 12:00 -20:00 Oct-March open until 19:00. Admission €7/4.

EXHIBITION BLACKBOX COLD WARCheckpoint CharlieFriedrichstraße 47 / corner Zimmerstraße | 10117 Berlin-Mitte

Daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Visitors’ service [email protected] information www.zentrum-kalter-krieg.de

HERE, CONTEMPORARY HISTORY COMES ALIVE

Kilkenny Irish Pub DEUTSCHER DOM The baroque ‘German Church’ from 1701 was completedwith an impressive domed tower in 1785; badly damagedby re in the war it was only renovated in the 1980s.Owned by the state, the bare interior now houses anexhibition about the development of parliamentariandemocracy in Germany - and how it came to fail sotragically in the last century. Be sure to see the views fromthe windows and the impressive building models on thetop oor. Free tours in English are possible throughout theday; no booking is required for individual visitors.Q F-3,Gendarmenmarkt 1, Mitte, M U Stadtmitte, tel. +49 3022 73 04 31, www.bundestag.de/kulturundgeschichte/ausstellungen/wege. Open 10:00 - 19:00. Closed Mon.Admission free.

FRANZÖSISCHER DOM The northernmost domed tower in the Gendermenmarkt’sgrand architectural triptych dates back to 1785, andsimilarly to its counterpart was badly damaged in thewar. It now has regular concerts in the simple baroqueFriedrichstadtkirche church to the rear. Enter from theother side for the Huguenot museum (in German andFrench only), dedicated to the thousands of Frenchprotestants who moved to Berlin in the 17th century.Yet another entrance leads to the viewing balcony at 40

metres above street level, with great views all around.Q F-3, Gendarmenmarkt 5, Mitte, M U Stadtmitte, tel.+49 30 20 64 99 22, www.franzoesischer-dom.de. Open12:00-17:00, viewing balcony 10:00-19:00, closed Mon.Admission €2/1, viewing balcony €2.50/1.

CASINO SPIELBANK BERLIN The casino at Potsdamer Platz has French roulette,American roulette, baccarat, poker, blackjack, SicBo, bingo roulette and slot machines. Upstairs, therestaurant and Baccara Bar serves drinks and food fromthe a la carte menu. Newcomers to the game can booka tour including game instructions.Q E-4, Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 1, Tiergarten, M S/U Potsdamer Platz,tel. +49 30 25 59 90, www.spielbank-berlin.de.Open 11:00 - 05:00. Admission €2,50. Minimum ageis 18, ID required; dress code is smart casual.

Schützenstr. 70 | Berlin-Mitte(Nähe Checkpoint Charlie)www.currywurstmuseum.com

Anfahrt | DirectionsU6 (Kochstr. | Checkpoint Charlie)U6 / U2 (Stadtmitte)

EINE AUSSTELLUNG ZUMANFASSEN. (AUS)PROBIEREN. MITMACHEN.

TOUCHING. TESTING. TAKE PART.


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Mitte Mitte

MEMORIAL TO THE MURDERED JEWSOF EUROPE This bluntly named memorial avoids any vaguenesssurrounding the term Holocaust. Six million Jews areestimated to have been killed by the Nazis and this siteserves as Germany’s national memorial to those victims. Thedesign by American architect Peter Eisenmann is a eld of2,700 concretestelae, or pillars, of varying height, creatingan undulating landscape that lls two city blocks. Thememorial has an undergound information centre which isnot suitable for children.Q F-3, Cora-Berliner-Straße 1,

Mitte, M S/U Brandenburger Tor, tel. +49 30 26 39 43 36,[email protected], www.stiftung-denkmal.de. Information centre open 10:00-20:00, Oct-Mar 10:00-19:00. Closed Mon. Admission free.

MUSEUMS BLACK BOX COLD WAR The exhibition at Checkpoint Charlie discusses the state ofthe world during the Cold War, explaining the global linksbetween the Berlin Wall, the Korean War and the Cubanmissile crisis. Along the street a free gallery of photos andtexts highlights the main events that took place here.Q F-4,Friedrichstraße 47, Mitte, tel. +49 30 216 35 71, [email protected], www.bfgg.de. Open 10:00 - 18:00. Admission €5/3,50.

DEUTSCHES CURRYWURST MUSEUMAccording to the myth, currywurst is Berlin’s very ownfast-food creation. A spicy sausage snack that rst becamepopular in the late 1940s, these days currywurst can befound at train stations and street corners across the city. This quirky museum explains the colourful history of thisculinary creation. There’s a shop with sausage accessoriesand you can taste currywurst too.Q F-4, Schützenstraße70, Mitte,M U Stadtmitte, tel. +49 30 88 71 86 47, www.currywurstmuseum.com. Open 10:00 - 20:00. Admission€11/8,50, Mon 20% less.

DAIMLER CONTEMPORARY BERLINInside the Haus Huth, the last remaining pre-war buildingon Potsdamer Platz, selected works from the Daimlercompany’s art collection is presented in four well-curatedexhibitions per year. The collection has mainly abstractartworks from the 20th century until now, and a few of thelarger sculptures are on permanent display in the streetsaround the museum.Q E-4, Alte Potsdamer Straße 5,Tiergarten, tel. +49 30 25 94 14 20, www.sammlung.daimler.com. Open 11:00 - 18:00. Admission free.

DALÍ THE EXHIBITION AT POTSDAMER PLATZ The Spanish master of surreal, Salvador Dalí, left a richheritage of amazing artworks when he went to molten-watch land himself. Over 450 exhibits can be viewed atthis permanent exhibition near Postdamer Platz. See truegenius and craftsmanship in the many paintings, sketches,

books, lms, objects, and documents that are on showhere. English-language tours can be booked in advance.Q F-4, Leipziger Platz 7, Mitte,M S/U Potsdamer Platz,tel. +49 700 32 54 23 75 46, www.daliberlin.de. Open12:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 20:00. Admission €12,50/9,50,tours €7.

DEUTSCHES HISTORISCHES MUSEUM The imperial Zeughaus - a pretty, pink, early 18th centuryarsenal building by the Spree - houses the impressiveGerman History Museum. The 7000 objects in the mainbuilding illustrate the best and worst episodes of Germany’shistory, and there are regularly changing exhibitions inthe dazzling extension by architect I.M. Pei. You can rentan audio tour set for €3 or join the English-languagehighlights tour on Saturdays at 13:00.Q F-3, Unter denLinden 2, Mitte,M S Hackescher Markt, tel. +49 30 20 3040, www.dhm.de. Open 10:00 - 18:00. Admission €8/4.Under 18 free.

MUSEUMSINSEL The cluster of majestic nineteenth century neoclassicbuildings on the tip of the island in the Spree offersthe avid or the temperate museum-goer a number ofimpressive collections of art, history and ethnology,covering many facets of ancient and oriental culture, aswell as their cross-overs into modernity.

ALTE NATIONALGALERIECézanne, Rodin, Monet, Degas and Liebermann aresome of the artists whose works hang around thismuseum of 19th-century art. The temple-like structureitself was built in 1876, and is surrounded by a beautifullybattered colonnade.Q G-3, Bodestraße 1-3, Mitte,M SHackescher Markt, tel. +49 30 266 42 42 42, www.smb.museum. Open 10:00 - 18:00, Thu 10:00 - 20:00.

Closed Mon. Admission €10/5. ALTES MUSEUM This neoclassic building by Prussia’s star architectSchinkel was custom-made in 1830 for the art collectionof the royal Hohenzollerns. Classical antiquities werethe focus, and today the museum uses pottery andsculptures to take you on a well-presented tour throughancient Etruscan, Greek and Roman history.Q G-3, AmLustgarten, Mitte, M S Hackescher Markt, tel. +49 30

266 42 42 42, www.smb.museum. Open 10:00 - 18:00,Thu 10:00 - 20:00. Closed Mon. Admission €10/5.

NEUES MUSEUMBuilt in 1855, damaged in the war and only restoredin 2009, the ‘New Museum’ is new again and is full ofancient art. The excellent Egyptian Museum and PapyrusCollection are housed here, with spectacular ndssuch as the famous busts of Queen Nefertiti and KingEchnaton. The Pre- and Early History collection has ndsfrom ancient Troy and Lycopolis to medieval Germany.One room exhibits eleven rediscovered statues that wereconsidered to be ‘degenerate art’ by the Nazis.Q G-3,Bodestraße 1-3, Mitte, M S Hackescher Markt, tel. +4930 266 42 42 42, www.smb.museum. Open 10:00 -18:00, Thu 10:00 - 20:00. Admission €12/6.

PERGAMON MUSEUM The Pergamon museum is undergoing majorrenovations, with the north wing and the hall withthe famous Pergamon Altar closed until 2019. Visitorscan still see the market gate of Miletus, the amazingblue-tiled Ishtar Gate and processional way fromBabylon, and the museum of Islamic Art.Q G-3, AmKupfergraben, Mitte, M S Hackescher Markt, tel.+49 30 266 42 42 42, www.smb.museum. Open10:00 - 18:00, Thu 10:00 - 20:00. Admission €12/6.

MEMORIALS FÜHRERBUNKEROne lonely signpost mark the s ite where Hitler committedsuicide on April 30, 1945. For the last month of his life, Hitlerlived roughly eight meters below ground in an air-raidshelter topped by a four-metre-thick, reinforced concreteceiling. The unremarkable spot can be reached by walkingto the end of In den Ministergärten, off Ebertstraße. Aparking area surrounded by a pre-fabricated apartmentcomplex covers the location, which was entirely sealed off

during the complex’s construction in 1988-89. The bunkerwas once accessed through theFestsaal(ballroom) behindthe Reichskanzler-Palaison Wilhelmstraße.Q F-3, In denMinistergärten, Mitte, M S/U Potsdamer Platz.

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GEDENKSTÄTTE BERLINER MAUERBERLIN WALL MEMORIAL

The excellent national memorial site for the dividedGermany has a documentation centre covering the BerlinWall’s history in text, slides and dramatic lm footage.An unscathed section of Wall runs along the street; walkbehind it to peer through a crack in theHintermauerrearwall to see a preserved section of death strip as it lookedin the 1980s, complete with a patrol road, wires and awatchtower. Nearby, the wooden Chapel of Reconciliationis built on the spot of a church demolished to make wayfor the border defences. Walk on towards Mauerpark forseveral more open-air exhibitions.Q F-2, Bernauer Straße111 & 119, Mitte, M S Nordbahnhof, tel. +49 30 46798 66 66, infoberliner-mauer-gedenkstaette.de, www.berliner-mauer-gedenkstaette.de. Open 09:30-19:00,Nov-Mar 09:30-18:00. Mon closed (outdoor exhibitionopen 24hrs). Admission free.

GEMÄLDEGALERIEBerlin’s largest art museum has 72 rooms full of worksspanning the 13th to 18th centuries. German mastersinclude Dürer, Cranach the Elder, and Holbein; the Italiansare represented by Botticelli, Titian, Raphael. The Dutch

rooms are especially good with a Vermeer and the world’slargest Rembrandt collection.Q E-4, Matthäikirchplatz8, Tiergarten, M S/U Potsdamer Platz, tel. +49 30 26642 42 42, [email protected], www.smb.museum.Open 10:00 - 18:00, Thu 10:00 - 22:00. Closed Mon.Admission €8/€4.

HAMBURGER BAHNHOFBerlin’s wonderful modern art museum is situated in aconverted train station. It’s well worth a visit by thosecurious about the expressiveness of a sculpture made ofanimal fat (Joseph Beuys) or urban dwellers xated bybars of neon lighting (Dan Flavin). Andy Warhol and MarcelDuchamp are the other familiar stars of this post-1960scollection.Q E-2, Invalidenstraße 50-51, Mitte, M S/UHauptbahnhof, tel. +49 30 39 78 34 11, [email protected], www.hamburgerbahnhof.de. Open 10:00 -18:00, Sat 11:00 - 20:00, Sun 11:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon.Admission €10/5.

MUSEUM FÜR FILM UND FERNSEHENHooray for Hollywood, but remember that some ofthe personalities that gave it glamour and style camefrom Germany. Actors Marlene Dietrich and Peter Lorre,directors