Things to in Berlin when you're there

stay somewhere by the canal in kreuzberg

The thing with Berlin is, it's a heavily decentralized city, where you should stay depends on what sort of things you want to do. The actual "central" area, around Alexanderplats and Unter den Linden, has some touristy things but otherwise there's not much to do there. Among the cooler, more multicultural areas with clubs, pubs, record stores, flea markets, etc, are Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, and Prenzlauer Berg. So if you want that sort of action, Wilmersdorf is a bit far for there, and the U7 subway that stops near the hotel doesn't get you straight to the those areas either, you have to change subways at least once. But of course if you have time to ride the trains it's not that big of a hassle, you should get to most places worth a visit in 20-60 minutes.

When are you going to Berlin, Whiney? I'm traveling in Germany next month, most likely I'll be in Berlin from 15th to 18th of August.

In Berlin in just under two weeks! Fingers crossed they'll let us colonial types into Panoramabar/Watergate/etc for the Smalltown Supersound/Kompakt nights.

If you're going to Berghain/Panoramabar, be prepared to walk for a bit. It's technically in Friedrichshain, but it's in the middle of an old industrial area that's not near any public transport or anything. When we went there a few years ago, at some point we thought we're lost, as there was just this empty industrial lot with no lights or anything, but then we saw cars driving into the same direction we were heading, so we knew something was there.

Also, at the door they did a body search for everyone, which is quite rare in Germany, I think. Dunno if they'd had some problems with guns or knives or something... AFAIK Berlin is generally pretty safe for a city of that size.

Or maybe they do a body search in the bigger clubs, I dunno. That's the only time I've been to a club of that size in Berlin.

Claire Danes: Actress Discusses Berlin Techno Music Scene on 'Ellen'
Danes discusses her experience in a large multi-room club called Berghain, saying "it is amazing, it is the best place on earth."

wish i met claire daines in berghain, preferably while off my trolley on e and having a recuperating ice cream with ron trent playing and her also having an ice cream. entirely non-sexual wish.