Known for its decadence and tolerance, Berlin has been and continues to be the favorite of cultural icons the world over.

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The Naked Traveler
by Joseph R.G. DeMarco

Despite European money woes, gay life parties on in the major capitals of the world. Nowhere is more involved in gay fun times than Berlin. Once the glittering unofficial capital of gay life in Europe, Berlin has struggled through a difficult history to again sit at the top of the list of places to go, to see and experience gay life. Known for its decadence and tolerance, this city has been and continues to be the favorite of cultural icons the world over. They enjoy its charm, its history, but more, they cotton to its permissive attitudes. Hardly any other city rivals the German capital for bar, club, and party opportunities. More than that, this city takes its fetishes seriously and for anyone with a real interest in exploring his kinky side, this city gives you the opportunity. Kinky doesn’t even begin to describe it.

You’ll need your naked attitude, gear if you’ve got it, and a true desire for adventure if you want to plumb the depths, not only of this city but of your own deep secrets. When you arrive, you’ll feel a real sense of excitement. The energetic spirit is palpable. Construction sites boom, streets are busy, and people are friendly. You won’t ever have a problem finding things to do and boredom is not a part of the scene.

Berlin is a huge chunk of territory and this time we’ll only see part of the place. But there’ll be a bit of delicious to come some other time.

There are several areas of the city to know before you go. Each has its own character and set of bars and clubs. Each is expansive and diverse. A large city, Berlin can be easily navigated and understood if you know the layout. Get a good map or a Hot Guide. There’s a complex and well-planned train system consisting of the S-Bahn and the U-Bahn. These lines can get you almost anywhere. Tourist sites, businesses, bars, clubs, you name it, often list their closest S-Bahn or U-Bahn stop so you’ll know where to get off.

Berlin has a number of gay hotels or B&Bs. Once you decide what part of the city suits your needs and what kind of accommodations you enjoy most, you can choose from among a long list of gay or gay-friendly hotels. From the spartan to the baroque, Berlin has choices. If you like shopping, Stars (en.stars-guesthouse.com) might work for you. It’s near lots, including the Ku-Damm, where you can spend your Euros in style. The Art Hotels (www.arthotel-connection.de) will give you an experience you wont forget. For sheer decadence, The Naked Traveler needs to mention the RoB Apartments (www.rob-berlin.de) where you can find leather, rubber, and twisted gear to make you happy. Rooms are made for a playful stay (depending on your definition of playful) and all are near Berlin’s famous fetish bars.

Once you’ve dropped your luggage off and got your bearings, you’ll probably want to sight-see. Go ahead. There are lots of nakedly beautiful men roaming the streets. Its truly a crossroads city, with a diverse set of locals and tourists. Oh yeah, there are also some lovely historical things to see as well. After that, you’ll be ready for a night at the bars and clubs.

To the Naked Traveler’s chagrin, strippers are in short supply. They exist, but finding them isn’t easy. Happily, though, there are plenty of hot men to satisfy your naked desires and going to some of the dozens of bars and clubs in this city will show you what’s there. Your thirst for naked delights might not be thoroughly quenched but once the Teutonic beauties start stripping off their shirts and whirling around the dance floor, you’ll have a smile on your face. Some bars have dark rooms and labyrinths. Granted, this won’t satisfy a need to “see the naked” but if you want to “feel the naked,” these spots are for you. Like Connection (www.connection-berlin.de), which has a large, dimly lighted labyrinth in its cellar. With a huge, diverse crowd and a list of DJs that feed your musical needs, Connection is one place you might try on your Naked Attitude. There are others. Once you find your way around, you’ll know which is the best fit for your tastes.

As for the bars, you’ll have a large number to choose from. Personal taste in crowds and music will dictate your home base bar. Tabasco Bar (tabascobar.de) has plenty of hot strippers. The guys go further than that, as this place is also a bar where escorts ply their trade. If you’re looking for more of the same, try The Blue Boy (blueboy-berlin.de) where you won’t find any Gainsboroughs but you might find something else.

There are old-fashioned cruise bars and new-fashioned cruise bars, sex clubs, and more. Among them you’ll find Cocks (cocksberlin.de). It may not be the most creative name for a bar, but it kind of grows on you. Here is a cruise club any naked traveler can enjoy. A dress code that says “underwear or no-wear at all” is the rule, makes it a venue you’ll place high on your list. Naked parties with hot nude German men is something you’ll want to witness. At the Darkroom (darkroom-berlin.de) you’ll find a crowd equally eager to drop their drawers and party in the altogether. Every Friday is naked night and every Wednesday is an underwear party. Then there’s Reizbar (reizbar-berlin.de) which may not be naked (at least, not all the time) but which offers a host of opportunities for the adventurous traveler.

Enticing as the cruising bars and sex clubs are, the saunas of Berlin offer the most flesh for the buck. Berlin has a few choices. Not far from the Brandenburg Gate is the Gate Sauna (gate-sauna.de). In an undeniably historic area, this sauna offers more than history. With all you might want in a bathhouse, The Gate gives you more, including a “Youngsters Day” every Wednesday. That’s the day you get to see hunky young citizens of Berlin cavorting through the playroom, lounging in the private rooms or spending a lazy naked day in the sling. The scented oils floating on the air make this an especially relaxing place.

The Apollo Splash Club (apollosplashclub.de) is slightly pricier but with new renovations giving it a sexy and sleek interior, the price schedule won’t bother you. Plenty of rooms, lots of amenities, and events to make you tingle with a sexual thrill make this a must-see venue. They’ve got Foam Nights galore. In case the schedule changes, check before you go expecting to be covered in foam and groped until you squeal.

The Treibhaus Sauna (treibhaussauna.de) is an equally fun place to while away an evening or a day. It’s got everything, including men and more men. Even better, they’re naked men.

Berlin is in a constant state of becoming, eyes turned to the future. One thing it knows is that gay life is part of that future and it has made plenty of room for more.

January 2011