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7 outdoor night spots that make Berlin’s summer unique

Berlin summer's are like nothing else, and local clubs certainly know how to make the most of the warm weather and short nights.

7 outdoor night spots that make Berlin’s summer unique
Photo: DPA.

Berlin in the summertime is like nowhere else. It’s a time when the personality of this European Neverland shines with the weird and wonderful, where you can feel like it’s a day at the beach although the sky is pitch black and you're hours from the sea.

The Local picked out some of our favourite places with outdoor spaces to relax in the fresh air in between dancing the warm nights away.

1. Sisyphos

If there’s another Berlin club that rivals Berghain in terms of infamy, it is Sisyphos.

But it doesn’t have the same straight-faced door policy as its Friedrichshain rival: a blue-haired young bouncer, dressed like a carny, might flash you a sly smile if you look like you're taking yourself too seriously.

As with many of Berlin’s best and illusive nigh spots, this far-flung club in Berlin-Rummelsberg has a no pictures policy and they’ll offer a sticker to put over your phone camera upon entry.

SEE ALSO: The website that will 'train' you to get into Berghain

If photos were allowed though, they’d capture all the zaniness inside what Sisyphos itself calls “Berlin’s carnival for day and night” with shirtless club-goers in black bunny masks, furry fox hats and a decent helping of glitter on their faces.

The venue on the premises of a former dog treat factory feels like a small, surreal village with two indoor dance floors, a large outdoor perimeter to chill on benches or a broken-down truck, and food stands where you can grab a slice of pizza (or free banana?) when you need it.

2. Yaam

For those not so excited by Berlin’s techno scene and too-hip-for-you dance spots, there are other options, like Yaam by Ostbahnhof.

This club and beach bar offers a great mix of live reggae, hip-hop and dance hall performances as well as West African and Caribbean food and drink – refreshing mango beer on a warm summer night anyone? Enjoy it with sand between your toes in the outdoor area along the Spree, complete with volleyball net.

3. Prince Charles

Just part of this club is outdoor, but after jumping around to hip-hop music in the basement or ground-floor level dance halls, you’ll need a trip outside to sit and cool down.

Plus, when the weather’s right, this place is home to outdoor events like Burgers and Hip-Hop, European Championship viewings with barbecue and African soul food nights.

4. Watergate

 

A photo posted by Brad Holleron (@baldjedi) on May 28, 2016 at 3:30am PDT

There’s something magical about stepping out onto Watergate’s patio on the Spree after bouncing around to techno music and catching the first rays of sun rising over the Oberbaumbrücke, glimmering on the river below you.

5. Griessmühle

 

Good morning Berlin

A photo posted by Nicholas Christowitz (@nicholaschristowitz) on Jun 4, 2016 at 8:33pm PDT

This Neukölln venue located along a canal of the Spree is classic Berlin grunge, its outdoor area offering a hodge-podge of second-hand sofas and seating as well as an outdoor bar, abandoned car and treehouse-like structures to climb into.

It’s also home to English comedy shows on occasion, open-air film screenings and flea and food markets that then turn into club nights.

6. Klunkerkranich

Photo: Emma Anderson/The Local.

Okay so this one isn't as much of a club as the others, but its small indoor area does offer plenty of DJs and dancing on the weekend and unexpected performances by mimes juggling flaming hula-hoops are not uncommon.

Plus its rooftop location and amazing view over the city above the Neukölln Arcaden make it hard for us not to mention.

7. Strandbar Mitte swing nights

Photo: DPA.

And if you're looking for something still further removed from the whole techno club scene, Strandbar Mitte by Monbijou park offers Friday night outdoor swing dancing lessons while overlooking the capital's scenic Museum Island.

But there's also tango, salsa and chacha nights at this beach bar. Beginners of all ages are welcome.

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BERLIN

EXPLAINED: Berlin’s latest Covid rules

In response to rapidly rising Covid-19 infection rates, the Berlin Senate has introduced stricter rules, which came into force on Saturday, November 27th. Here's what you need to know.

A sign in front of a waxing studio in Berlin indicates the rule of the 2G system
A sign in front of a waxing studio indicates the rule of the 2G system with access only for fully vaccinated people and those who can show proof of recovery from Covid-19 as restrictions tighten in Berlin. STEFANIE LOOS / AFP

The Senate agreed on the tougher restrictions on Tuesday, November 23rd with the goal of reducing contacts and mobility, according to State Secretary of Health Martin Matz (SPD).

He explained after the meeting that these measures should slow the increase in Covid-19 infection rates, which was important as “the situation had, unfortunately, deteriorated over the past weeks”, according to media reports.

READ ALSO: Tougher Covid measures needed to stop 100,000 more deaths, warns top German virologist

Essentially, the new rules exclude from much of public life anyone who cannot show proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19. You’ll find more details of how different sectors are affected below.

Shops
If you haven’t been vaccinated or recovered (2G – geimpft (vaccinated) or genesen (recovered)) from Covid-19, then you can only go into shops for essential supplies, i.e. food shopping in supermarkets or to drugstores and pharmacies.

Many – but not all – of the rules for shopping are the same as those passed in the neighbouring state of Brandenburg in order to avoid promoting ‘shopping tourism’ with different restrictions in different states.

Leisure
2G applies here, too, as well as the requirement to wear a mask with most places now no longer accepting a negative test for entry. Only minors are exempt from this requirement.

Sport, culture, clubs
Indoor sports halls will off-limits to anyone who hasn’t  been vaccinated or can’t show proof of recovery from Covid-19. 2G is also in force for cultural events, such as plays and concerts, where there’s also a requirement to wear a mask. 

In places where mask-wearing isn’t possible, such as dance clubs, then a negative test and social distancing are required (capacity is capped at 50 percent of the maximum).

Restaurants, bars, pubs (indoors)
You have to wear a mask in all of these places when you come in, leave or move around. You can only take your mask off while you’re sat down. 2G rules also apply here.

Hotels and other types of accommodation 
Restrictions are tougher here, too, with 2G now in force. This means that unvaccinated people can no longer get a room, even if they have a negative test.

Hairdressers
For close-contact services, such as hairdressers and beauticians, it’s up to the service providers themselves to decide whether they require customers to wear masks or a negative test.

Football matches and other large-scale events
Rules have changed here, too. From December 1st, capacity will be limited to 5,000 people plus 50 percent of the total potential stadium or arena capacity. And only those who’ve been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 will be allowed in. Masks are also compulsory.

For the Olympic Stadium, this means capacity will be capped at 42,000 spectators and 16,000 for the Alte Försterei stadium. 

Transport
3G rules – ie vaccinated, recovered or a negative test – still apply on the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses in Berlin. It was not possible to tighten restrictions, Matz said, as the regulations were issued at national level.

According to the German Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, people have to wear a surgical mask or an FFP2 mask  on public transport.

Christmas markets
The Senate currently has no plans to cancel the capital’s Christmas markets, some of which have been open since Monday. 

According to Matz, 2G rules apply and wearing a mask is compulsory.

Schools and day-care
Pupils will still have to take Covid tests three times a week and, in classes where there are at least two children who test positive in the rapid antigen tests, then tests should be carried out daily for a week.  

Unlike in Brandenburg, there are currently no plans to move away from face-to-face teaching. The child-friendly ‘lollipop’ Covid tests will be made compulsory in day-care centres and parents will be required to confirm that the tests have been carried out. Day-care staff have to document the results.

What about vaccination centres?
Berlin wants to expand these and set up new ones, according to Matz. A new vaccination centre should open in the Ring centre at the end of the week and 50 soldiers from the German army have been helping at the vaccination centre at the Exhibition Centre each day since last week.

The capacity in the new vaccination centre in the Lindencenter in Lichtenberg is expected to be doubled. There are also additional vaccination appointments so that people can get their jabs more quickly. Currently, all appointments are fully booked well into the new year.

 

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