Things are hectic as usual and I'm overdue a catch-up with my brother. But where do you go with a heavy metal and musicloving, vegan drummer? Berlin of course, but why?
Even since earlier times, Germany’s contribution to world music has been mega, think Beethoven, Bach and Brahms, every decade since and they’ve delivered. I’ll start in the 70s, when Baccara, filled dancefloors with the hit ‘Yes sir, I can boogie’. A couple of years later Boney M released the popular ‘Daddy Cool’ still played in retro DJ sets today. Into the 80s and there was Nena and her ’99 Luft Balloons’ (Red Balloons to us) and rock legends The Scorpions with ‘Rock You Like a Hurricane’, what a time for music.
Fast forward to the ’90s and ’00s, and the Berlin club scene boomed with a new era of techno. Who could forget Sash, Scooter and Snap the German artists dominating the airwaves. With a bit of a reputation as a cool city, we decided to head there.
Berlin has a massive and diverse music scene, something for everyone, even modern-day Vikings aka my husband. Pre-travel research done, we planned to see some of the city’s more ‘unique’ places. The first, the Rock and Viking Bar. Located in a residential neighbourhood, this themed bar offered a warm welcome. We spent the evening chatting with locals and sampling traditional honey meads, a favourite tipple of the notorious Norsemen. www.rock-wikingerbar.de
Later that evening and a short distance from our Viking stronghold we ventured to Rockcafé Halford, a bar dedicated to the legendary frontman of the rock band Judas Priest, apparently built by an obsessed fan…cool. www.halford-berlin.de
The following evening we explore Berlin’s mindblowing food scene. From Michelin-starred finery to trendy Neo-Thai all tastes are catered for. Interestingly Berlin is also the Vegan capital of Europe. Veganism has seen a huge increase in popularity worldwide, and my bro, he’s committed, so we decide to give vegan a try.
We head to 1990 Vegan Living on Boxhagener Platz, a Vietnamese vegan joint. Clearly, there are no King Prawns, so I select a Tofu dish, and I’m pleasantly surprised, and bonus, signature cocktails, absolutely delish. www.restaurant1990.de
Despite this brief venture into veganism we’re also in Germany, the land of sausage, beer and schnitzel which must be experienced. We head to Hofbräu Wirtshaus for Bavarian tradition in the city. We enjoy oompah music, giant beer steins and traditional fare, great fun www.hofbraeu-wirtshaus.de/berlin.
Despite our busy evening activities, our days here are just as packed. Berlin has more museums than it has rainy- days, 175. Its arts scene is even bigger, with 300 galleries and then there’s the landmarks, the TV tower, the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Cathedral, the Victory Column and of course the wartime history and alternative culture.
So how do you cram it all in? That’s easy, you don’t, but you can sensibly see a lot in a weekend. Berlin has an excellent transport system, but the best way to pack it all in was in-fact by foot, on an organised tour with Walkative. Technically free, these in-person guided tours take you to most of the big sights in return for a suggested donation, believe me, you’ll want to pay it, excellent! www.freewalkingtour.com/find-a-tour/berlin
Berlin is a city break brimming with diversity, contrasts and culture, it’s not to be missed.