Beneath Berlin. A Beginner’sB GuideB to the German Capital. 1 Section key. -Sights and Monuments- Symbol key. Contents. About Berlin. -Art and Museums- -Editor’s Crown- Neighbourhoods > pp. 7-11 This symbol indicates that our crack teams of eaters, Berlin Timeline > pp. 12-15 -Outdoors- drinkers, party goers and art critics have chosen the Survival Guide > pp. 16-23 crowned article as truly the best of Berlin. -Food and drink- Language Tips > pp. 24-25 Beers of Berlin > pp. 26-27 -Nightlife- -Bargain Birdsong- This symbol indicates Ampelmann > pp. 28-29 when something is best for a budget without Getting Around > pp. 30-33 -Shopping- compromising on quality - it essentially appears when good things are going cheap. A t t r a c t i o n R e v i e w s . -Entertainment- Sights and Monuments > pp. 34-58 -Accommodation- Art and Museums > pp. 59-83 Outdoors > pp. 84-104 Food and Drink > pp. 105-132 Nightlife > pp. 133-145 Shopping > pp. 146-155 Entertainment > pp. 156-163 Accommodation > pp. 164-171 4 52 Ampelmann: Who is he? Remember the traffic man you Hackescher Markt, Pots- see when you cross the street? damer Platz, Karl Liebkne- Have you ever wondered if it cht Straße, Gendarmenmarkt was more than a stop/go sign? and Unter den Linden. For Different countries have varied those with a sweet-tooth, versions of what Berliners call complimentary Ampelmann the “Ampelmännchen”. If you gummy sweets are available ever get lost, just look at the traf- in every store so feel free to fic lights. Unlike the dull Western help yourself. The shops sell a traffic lights, East Berlin has its plethora of Ampelmann prod- own distinctly peculiar cartoon ucts from postcards, T-shirts, man. So be careful not to jaywalk, hoodies, and posters to desk the Ampelmann is watching you! and wall lamps, clocks, and environmental bags. You can The Ampelmann is famous for now shop for Ampelmann on- being one of the few remaining line as well through its website: symbols of East Germany that www.ampelmannshop.com survived the Iron Curtain. Trans- lated, Ampelmännchen means If you are feeling thirsty you can ‘little traffic light man’. Designed sit down in one of the mini Am- in 1961 by traffic psychologist, pelmann cafés and sip on some Karl Peglau, the idea was to make sensual tea or coffee from an traffic lights easier for children Ampelmann coffee mug. Those to understand. Before 1990, East hungry for a bite can dine at the Berlin used Ampelmann as an Ampelmann restaurant-bar in expression of its individuality. Hackescher Markt. Ampelmann There have been attempts to gastronomy is primarily Medi- standardize the traffic man terranean, placing emphasis on in East Berlin, but it has sur- its ‘homemade’ bread, cakes vived until now becoming and deserts. For more details a type of new cult and in- please visit: ampelmann-res- terest for tourists of the city. taurant.de/index_de.phtml There are five Ampelmann -Qing Wu- merchandise stores in Berlin: 28 29 Food & Drink Café am Neuen See Bier Burgermeister Garten All the lakes are connected, which presents a great opportunity Oberbaumstraße 8 Despite a constant rush the ticket Lichtensteinallee 2 to improve your rowing skills. Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg style ordering system is stream- Mitte U-Bahn: Schlesisches Tor lined to minimise waiting times. U-Bahn: Kurfürstendamm As if the beer garden needed any Open Daily, 11:00 - 02:00 Seating is somewhat limited but Prices: 2.60€ - 9€ more charm, drinks are served www.burger-meister.de a small sculpture park opposite Hours: in a quaint, open plan, wooden has several benches and plenty of Mon-Fri From 11:00 structure. If you do not fancy a space to eat in peace. Alternatively Sat-Sun From 12:00 beer then try a Spezi, a mix of cola Situated beneath a busy railway there are also beer crates cleverly www.cafe-am-neuen-see.de and orange juice. It may sound junction in an old converted toilet, turned into chairs with wooden strange, but it is surprisingly Burgermeister is certainly not the back rests slotted refreshing and fits well with typical burger stall. The setting to in completing The first thing that you notice the summery atmosphere. some may cause intrigue; while the street-food when stepping through to Café others repulsion, but the truth of experience. am Neuen See’s beer garden is Overall Café this highly popular stall is that its how picturesque the setting is. am Neuen food is simply excellent. Stated Nestled in Tiergarten, it is possible See is one of as one of Berlin’s leading street- -Andrew to lose yourself in the serene the more food stalls Burgermeister serves Jackson- atmosphere with the jovial locals. unique a small, yet highly crafted menu. beer Eight different burgers are availa- The setting is beautiful on a ble alongside the usual accompa- summer’s day. The light glistens niment of chips and homemade on the water with hypnotic dips. The self-titled Hausmeista frequency, creating a hazy burger is arguably their best, and and dreamy atmosphere most expensive, coming load- which is hard to replicate. ed with a variety of mouth-wa- Groups of people take tering toppings such as cham- off on boats and the pignons, cheese, and jalapenos. sound of splashing water weaves itself The burgers themselves are pre- with the sounds gardens. The sented on a golden toasted sesa- of conversation setting and me seed bun, with a modest yet and laughter. atmosphere alone highly satisfying beef patty cooked outweigh the to perfection with a fresh, crunchy If you want to escape the premium that you salad garnish accompaniment. In bustle of the beer garden can pay for drinks. terms of price point these burgers then you can take to the are incredible value considering water for 5€ per half hour. -Lorcan James- their size and remarkable quality. 112 113 The Bird ‘Ghetto Deluxe’ (cheese burger) Falkplatz 5 the establishment invites an Prenzlauerberg overwhelming friendly and U-Bahn: Schönhauser Allee relaxed clientele to its doors. The Hours: Mon-Fri 18:00-24:00 menu kicks off with a pleading Sat-Sun 12:00-24:00 phrase, ‘PLEASE. At least try www.thebirdinberlin.com eating the damn burger with your hands.’ This restaurant/bar then An all-American New Yorker is not the typical establishment restaurant, The Bird has an but one that revels in tongue- incredible mix of upbeat in-cheek one liners and other Nightlife music, delicious food, and a acumen, whilst serving up highly agreeable, easy-going well-crafted wholesome dishes. atmosphere. Burgers and steaks are the specialty here and it is All burgers and steaks are The clubbing scene in Berlin is in this they exceed, propelling cooked to order and served with themselves into the higher a variety of sauces, including famous the world over for its sheer echelons of Berlin’s burger culture. an alarming array of hot sauces: excess. However to say that Berlin Mega Death possibly being the even has a Nightlife may be a bit Going by inventive names such as one to avoid. Freshly cut and of a misnomer. Home to legendary ‘Da Birdhouse’ (the house burger), golden fried chips garnished in clubs such as the Berghain that stay ‘The Lousy Hunter’ a paprika style spice provide open long into the daylight hours (veggie the accompaniment, alongside a and often straight through them, a burger), crunchy salad mix. The burgers night out for the average Berliner and themselves are 250 grams may not end until mid-afternoon. of prime, freshly ground Although most clubs enforce a strict beef sourced locally. entry policy and have at least a ten Dripping with juices and flavour everything euro cover charge once through else almost serves as the door the world is left outside. mere accessories to Berlin’s party scene is renowned decorate the plate. for a reason, but due to the no Only everything else is camera policy in most of, especially just as mouth-watering. the larger, clubs you’ll have to explore yourself to find out why. -Andrew Jackson- 132 133 Badehaus Die Berliner Republik on the walls and 99 Revaler Straße an intimate dance Schiffbauerdamm 8, Friedrichshain floor this small club offers Mitte U-Bahn: Warschauer Straße everything you could ask from it. U-Bahn: Friedrichstraße Admission: 3€-10€ Admission: 1.60€ Upwards Hours: 20:00 weekdays, 23:00 The venue really shines on Hours: Mon - Sun weekends. Tuesday nights when the house 10:00 - 6:00 http://www.badehaus-berlin.com hip-hop band “The Swag” are www.die-berliner-republik.de joined on stage by some of the finest musicians visiting the city The Raw Tempel area of Fried- and many talented regulars. Offering a range of 18 draught richshain holds some of Berlin’s Expect everything from violinists most unique hotspots. Street art beers, fluctuating prices to Bhangra singers performing Inside the bar covering the walls and first rate and a kitchen that is open to a crowd of Berlin’s most is adorned with decorations are the standard here, until 6am, the Berliner receptive rap music enthusiasts. satirical images and Badehaus is no exception. With Republik offers an interesting of famous red velvet curtains alternative to your typical bar. Don’t go expecting any fancy people, including bordering the cocktails but the choice of beers Margaret Thatcher, Karl Marx and stage, complex There aren’t many places in Berlin is varied and reasonably priced. Albert Einstein. These add a cheeky light visuals where you can buy a beer for The entry on the weekdays is €1.60.