Schwules Museum
The Schwules Museum (Gay Museum) is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ museums. It was founded in 1985, and it remains a cornerstone in Berlin’s queer culture. Rotating exhibitions explore everything from transgender visibility to queer resistence under Nazi rule. The museum collaborates across the LGBTQ+ spectrum with artists, academics and other professionals to offer a constantly evolving portrait of gay life in Berlin.
Address: Lützowstr.73, 10785 Berlin
Berlin by Night
Hafen
Hafen (harbor) has been a place of safety for the LGBTQ+ community in Berlin for more than thirty years. The neighborhood is located in the heart of Berlin’s gayest district, and locals are known to greet one another by name. There are a variety of regular events, from pub quizzes or football screenings that include everyone. Inside, it’s snug and unfussy, with red walls and a long wooden bar—perfect for striking up a chat.
Address: Motzstr. Motzstr.
SO36
The iconic venue is rooted in the punk counterculture and has a 50-year history of supporting Berlin’s LGBTQ+ community. SO36, located in Kreuzberg hosts the legendary Gayhane night, which features a Turkish Arabic and South Asian soundtrack accompanied by a diverse LGBTQ+ audience from all over the city. It’s multi-cultural, electrifying, authentic, and defiant.
Where: Oranienstr. Oranienstr.
Alaska Bar
Tucked into a quiet Neukölln corner, Alaska is a kitsch-filled cocktail bar with a laid-back, queer-friendly atmosphere. Although not exclusively LGBTQ+ friendly, the bar is loved by the LGBTQ+ community for its inclusive atmosphere, vegan tapas and house-infused cocktail. On weekends, expect pop-up gigs, art shows, or experimental drag performances.
Address: Reuterstr. 85, Neukölln, 12053 Berlin
Girl’s Town
Berlin’s nightlife for queer people isn’t just about megaclubs. Girl’s Town is a word-of mouth Berlin example that was created by queer women, transgender people and nonbinary individuals. This roving festival appears every few months (check their Instagram for updates) at venues across Kreuzberg and Neukölln, including summer beach bar takeovers. Expect hip-hop, R&B, bass-heavy sets, and performances from local queer artists. The mood is inclusive, consensual, and familiar.
Address: The differences between Kreuzberg and Neukolln
MonGay at Babylon Cinema
Mondays will be reserved for queer movies in the same cinema where East Germany’s very first gay film was screened (on the night of the fall of the Wall). The series is a huge hit with Berlin’s LGBTQ+ community. It mixes mainstream hits, indie favorites, and cult classics. German movies have English subtitles. Occasional special events—think screenings of Cabaret with live orchestra—make it a standout.
Address: Rosa-Luxemburgstr. Rosa-Luxemburgstr.
LGBTQ+ Festivals
Easter BerlinThe largest leather event in Europe takes place between mid-March and April. Berlin is the place to be for themed parties, workshops and Mister Leather Berlin. In September, a similar scene will return for Folsom Europe, a kink festival. Watch out for Queer History MonthIn spring, XPosed will feature four days of international queer cinema, from contemporary documentaries to rediscovered classics to experimental animations. XPosed is a festival that takes place in spring and features four days of international LGBTQ cinema. This includes rediscovered classics, contemporary documentaries, experimental animations and more. The screenings are held at independent venues across the city. Later in the year, Soura (‘image” in Arabic) focuses on LGBTQ+ movies from South Asia and North Africa. Both festivals include director talks and filmmaker Q&As.
Christopher Street Day, which takes place in late July, is Berlin’s oldest Pride event. It dates back to 1979. The parade runs from Kurfürstendamm to Brandenburg Gate, followed by citywide street parties. The lead-up includes Schöneberg’s Gay & Lesbian Street Festival. The great tradition of German Christmas markets Berlin’s LGBTQ+ holiday market, which sits in the heart of Schöneberg. Expect queer-run stalls, DJs, drag shows, and plenty of glühwein.
