GUEST POST: Tom Gates is a travel writer who is currently spending a year abroad – the original plan was 12 months, 12 countries, but as any seasoned traveler knows, plans can change quickly out there. Right now, he’s living in Germany. You can read more on his blog, The World is Getting Smaller.
The great thing about Berlin is that everyone is fiercely loyal to their own Top 10. Each person has their own favorite book shop, café and even S&M dungeon. What’s incredible is that there’s enough to go around for everyone. Here are my current (and ever-changing) favorites:
If you’re looking for it, you can probably find it here in this crazy collage of crapola. Unlike the finely pruned market in Friederichshain, this one is an equal lot of junk and treasure. Most boxes are filled with complete mysteries. I couldn’t resist buying a photo album from a family, with photos from 1951 and 1952. This is also a great place to chomp some cheap food.
Onkel Phillip’s Spielzeug is pure magic. Parents don’t dare bring the kids, as every inch of the store is crammed with surprises. More importantly, it isn’t even really a place for kids. Phillip (or Hans) will rush you at the door and immediately lead you to a toy, often giving you the controls while racing to another customer. Only slightly eccentric, both of these guys are just really passionate about toys. Home-wrecker Alert: On weeknights you’ll find lots of hot dads haunting the place, playing with Legos and such.
This spot feels more like an obsessed fan’s bedroom than it does a museum, but that’s just fine with me. I’m happy to stare at a framed pair of Johnny Ramone’s jeans, which he traded for an Elvis poster in 1996. Ask for Flo, the owner. He’s super-cool and knows everything that’s going on in the city at the moment. Also watch for acoustic sets from some of your favorite punk rock bands.
Eastern Comfort Floating Lounge and Cafe
A great spot on Wednesday nights if you’re looking to learn to speak Swahili. This weekly language swap will cost you a buck but beer is cheap. You’re likely to hear ten languages flying around, at least. The location can’t be beat – you’re sitting in the Spree river. I stayed in a dorm here too – not a bad place to spend a night, if not just for the novelty of saying that you’ve done it.
Yep, it’s a pool in the middle of the Spree River. Good luck finding a spot if you come after 2pm during the summer – this is THE party on nice days. Dance beats fill the air as everyone catches some rays. Hotties primp and fatties let it all hang out. The pool remains open in the winter, courtesy of a large heated tent.
Das Edelweiss and Other Kreuzberg Cafes
Berlin is crazy for cafés but Kreuzberg really takes the coffeecake. Every corner seems to have some souped-up storefront that has been converted into an overgrown living room. Top picks include Cutie Pie (a writer’s dream of a back room), Edelweiss (massive yet charming, great deck on nice days) and Johan Rose (a charming, stoned staff).
Spielwiese is a café that also serves as a space for some serious dorkage. Over 1,000 games line the walls, awaiting anyone who cares to take a seat and grab a cuppa something. It’s ok to fly your freak flag here and roll whatever number-sided die you’d like.
Tacheles (Listed: Oranienburger Straße 53, Berlin 10117)
This former department store is now host to a bar and several sparse performance spaces. I watched several members of the Deutsche Symphonie Orchestra kick around some Stravinsky in a room that looked like a large holding cell. It’s as squatter-vibed as it gets, complete with graffiti and that special pee smell. Classic and completely original.
Mateo and Johan make the kind of art that troubles parents. Their paintings have become the talk of the town, often painted directly onto strange objects like cabinets and doors. You can swipe a print for five bucks and chances are you will, once you see what comes out of their twisted minds. You can also catch them on Sundays at the Flea Market in Friederichshain.
Load up on veggies and potato peelers at Kreuzberg’s twice-weekly Turkish market. Fresh, cheap produce rules supreme here but there are also vendors selling everything from homemade ravioli to houseware. This is a great place to stock up on a week’s worth of food.
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One Comment
i want that bicycle! …it’s a good deal for time travel.