Berlin, a city known for its history, rivers, and forests, is the capital of Germany. It is also the largest city in the country, with a land area of 891.8 km² and a population of more than 3.5 million people. Berlin is situated on the North German Plain, along the river banks of Spree and Havel.
Many of the famous attractions in the capital are filled with historical significance. Most of Berlin attractions are located in the eastern part of Brandenburg Gate. Popular tourist destinations include German Spy Museum, Berlin Television Tower, Gendarmenmarkt, Holocaust Memorial, and Museum Island.
There are several red light districts in the city. These areas have high concentrations of adult venues and sex workers in Germany.
History of the RLD
The district of Mitte, particularly Oranienburger Street, was a Jewish area in the 19th and early 20th century. It is where a number of Jewish sites are located such as former schools, old homes, orphanages, and cemeteries. During the Nazi regime, however, most of the Jewish establishments were closed and most of the residents were sent to extermination camps.
New Synagogue in Oranienburger Street is the most prominent building in the area. It was opened in 1866 and was the largest synagogue in the capital that time. An Allied bombing in 1943, however, destroyed the establishment. It was later rebuilt and reopened in 1995, serving as a community centre for Jewish and a museum.
Mitte has been completely renovated and is now a cosmopolitan area in Berlin.
The streets are also filled with cafes, bars, and restaurants. Oranienburger Street is now a part of a red light district, offering several strip bars and other entertainment venues.
How to find the RLD
When going to Stuttgarter Platz, tourists can take the train and get off at Berlin-Charlottenburg Station. Mitte is easy to find with the main train station, located on the border of Tiergarten and Mitte. Several S and U-Bahn lines also serve this district.
Stay safe in the RLD
The capital itself is generally safe, but it is suggested to stay away from some of the neighbourhoods in the east, particularly outside the S-Bahn line (which include Marzahhn and Hellersdorf). When it comes to Mitte, many women find the district safe, especially in Prenzlauer Berg. Some tourists have noted, however, that Alexanderplatz in central Mitte, is one place to be careful especially at night.
Street prostitution is rampant in the capital, with some workers trying to rip clients off. Some establishments are overpriced, with girls running the trick of luring prospective clients to buy them expensive drinks. Some suggest not to avail services from prostitutes in Kurfürstenstrasse, as many of them are heroin users.
Prostitution is legal in the country, so one can find plenty of adult entertainment venues in the capital. Strip clubs are abundant in the city with women coming from different parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Brothels also exist in Berlin, with about 500 establishments in the capital alone. Locals and tourists can also avail sex services in the street, particularly along one of the city’s busiest shopping district, Hackescher Markt. Streetwalkers wearing tight and sexy clothes also roam around main streets such as Kürfurstendamm, Bülowstraße, and Frobenstraße. Erotic massage parlours and cabarets are also popular adult entertainment venues in Berlin.
Adult Cinemas
Many of the adult cinemas in the city function as adult shops with viewing booths and private cabins. Many of these cinemas also cater to gay clients. Here are some of the listed cinemas showing adult films and their locations:.
Women wearing skin-tight and provocative clothes work around the roadside near Hackescher Markt. There are also some streetwalkers offering services in Potsdamer Strasse and Ku’damm. Many parts of Berlin and its red light districts have plenty of street prostitutes, so tourist can find more girls in areas such as Bülowstraße, Kurfüstenstraße, Einemstraße, and others.
Swinger Clubs
Those who are not satisfied with strip bars and clubs can visit swinger clubs. Many of the venues in Berlin host parties and events that let singles and couples explore their sensual fantasies. Here are some of the most notable swinger clubs in the city:
Prostitution was legalised in the country in 2002, which paved the way to an incredible rise in Germany’s sex industry. Reports suggest there are now mega-brothels (with 12 floors) in the main cities, as well as sex boxes outdoors. The worth of prostitution or sex industry in the country is now 15 billion euros per year.
The aim of legalising prostitution in the country was to recognise it as a form of a job. This gave sex workers an opportunity to get contracts, apply for health insurance, and register for other government benefits. Exploiting sex workers, however, is considered a criminal act.
Women from European Union countries can work as prostitutes in Germany, while those from other countries should get a work permit. It is illegal to hire workers under 18 years old or encourage those who are under 21 to work as a prostitute. It is also an offence to avail or contract services from those who are under 18.
Prostitution in Berlin is allowed everywhere, but in other parts of the country, there are zone-off areas or places where selling of sex services is prohibited. The politicians, however, have recently made it legal to have sex without using a condom.
The new law also tackles mandatory licencing of brothels and complying with legal standards. This will now be sent for the president’s approval before taking effect in July 2017. In the new law, punishment for violations by buyers, pimps, and workers can include fines or withdrawal of a brothel’s licence.
When it comes to LGBT laws and rights, same-sex marriage is not legal, but the registered partnership is allowed. This gives members of the community obligations and rights in different areas such as name change, inheritance, health insurance, alimony, and immigration.
In 2005, the government has allowed stepchild adoption for same-sex couples. There were also improvements with regards to alimony and property division. LGBT discrimination is illegal. Germany signed the Treaty of Amsterdam and amended the national law, giving all the same rights.
Berlin has probably the best clubbing scene in Europe. Clubs and bars are abundant in the capital, offering nightlife venues for everyone. Here are some of the best locations for nightlife entertainment.
Berlin has a gay village known as Schöneberg, which is one of the first in the world. It remains as the main gay area in the capital, hosting the Strassenfest, which is the largest street festival for gays and lesbians in Europe.
Apart from Schöneberg, gay establishments also flourish in Prenzlauer Berg and Kreuzberg. Both of these are located near central Berlin. There are more gay bars and in venues in Kreuzberg than Prenzlauer Berg, but the latter location has a thriving scene.
General Attitude Towards Gays
Berlin is a dynamic gay city and one of the most gay-friendly places in the continent. It is also a top destination for LGBT travellers. Bars, saunas, dark room, clubs, and gay parties are abundant in the city, so everyone is sure to have fun. Many of the people in the city are open minded about homosexuality, so it is normal to see gay couples holding hands or kissing (at least around central Berlin).
Most of the gay establishments are located in Schöneberg, but there are also some gay venues in Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg. There is an atmosphere of mutual respect in the city and progressive laws for members of the LGBT community.
Gay Prostitution in Berlin
Reports suggest that some straight men and gay offer services around the capital’s Zoo Station. Most advertise their services online.
Transsexual Prostitutes
Schöneberg’s Frobenstraße is a place known for being the area for transgender prostitutes. It is noted, however, that some of the workers here have experienced multiple discrimination like verbal attacks. It is also possible to find transsexual escorts in Wuwu Club in Berlin Schöneberg and Kit Kat Club in Bessemerstrasse.