+ 7 Kreuzbergers +
all across X-Berg
Kreuzberg´s glory days were in the 80ies when the eastern districts were still in another world. Populated by immigrants from Turkey and draft dodgers from West Germany, it was truly a biotope of its own kind. Although much of the scene has moved east in the 90ies, Kreuzberg is still well worth an evening or two.
Wrangelkiez
- street art in Kreuzberg
Berlin´s version of the Greenwich Village, fortunately not yet too hip for its own good. This Kiez (= neighbour-hood) is located around U1 Station Schlesisches Tor.
EAT:
Good for brekkie is retro-style Salon Schmück . For chic girls there is a second-hand shop in the back rooms of this establishment.
Café Mir is another good spot to have some afternoon brekkie; delicious seasonal menus, too.
Amar is a very good Indian Restaurant; food not very cheap by Berlin´s standards but cheap cocktails, nice ambience, many tables outside and friendly service.
Chez Gino serves Swabian and Alsatian food, the chef knows what he is doing.
Burgermeister is located in a former public toilet right under the elevated railway at the station Schlesisches Tor – the burgers are the size of Ufos and delicious.
The best ice cream in the Kiez is from Aldemir.
DRINK:
Sofia is a wicked drinking hole with amazingly ugly interior – it is in a former Turkish snack bar. Serves Augustiner and Erdinger – connoisseurs know that´s the best beer from Bavaria.
Marabu is a good old-school Kreuzberg rock bar. A major student hang-out. Sometimes parties in the basement.
Freischwimmer is on a boat, or at least looks like that, at the end of Schlesische Strasse. The location is picturesque, kitchen pan-Asian.
DANCE:
Further down the road from Freischwimmer is Arena , located in a former bus depot – a large hall for concerts and clubbings. Indoor pool open until midnight (Fri+Sat until 3am) during winter. Crazy clubbing freaky people – Berlin Electro and picky bouncers. Weird events, check www.arena-berlin.de. This is a really remarkable place.
Watergate Wed, Fri, Sat from 24. Terrace from 20 (summer) – a perfect place to chill on the bank of river Spree. The “Koi Klub Kitchen” doles out Japanese snacks. Club with sometimes picky doors, Drum´n´Bass, Minimal Techno, Electro, House. International DJs. Pricey. Don´t forget your sunglasses, nobody ever leaves before sunrise.
Lido is your place if you prefer electric guitars over Electro without guitar.
Oranienstrasse & Wienerstrasse
- Oranienstraße
Oranienstrasse (not to be confused with Mitte´s Oranienburgerstrasse!) is the main road of east Kreuzberg, or as commonly referred to, “36” for its former zip code. Wienerstrasse is the extension on the other side of the U1 station Görlitzer Bahnhof.
EAT:
Cheap and good is Spätzle Express if you like… Spätzle.
If you don´t, Habibi has Berlin´s best Falafel (corner Oranienstrasse / Adalbertstrasse) and Kreuzburger Berlin´s best burgers and crazy fries. (Oranienstrasse 190)
Aki Tatsu Sushi deserves a mention, too.
For some “exotic” cuisine in the middle of Little Turkey try Max und Moritz – typical German meals in a listed historic guest room.
Yellow Sunshine serves organic & vegetarian --- fast food! Eek!
DRINK:
Um, almost too many places here. To get a taste how Kreuzberg was in the good old Punkrock days go to Milchbar.
Franken Bar is similar but even louder.
Bateau Ivre, the drunken ship , is a good spot for people-watching.
Roses is a bizarre mix of plush and kitsch, locals and Lonely Planet travellers, gay and straight. Open daily from 21, though it doesn´t really fill up before midnight.
DANCE:
The SO36 is the flagship of Berlin´s alternative scene since 30 years.
It went from punk in the 70ies to new wave in the 80ies. Iggy Pop and David Bowie played here. Have a look at the programme before you go there, but it is actually always worth going there.