Yaam

Yaam is one of the oldest Beach Bars in Berlin. It’s like a little island of Jamaica right in the middle of Berlin. Here you always find a little peaceful beach and chilled reggae music. At night they do some good parties too. Right now the Yaam is under threat because of a luxury condo they want to build on this location. That’s why a move is already scheduled for 2013. The new location will be the area of the former Maria/Magdalena/Josef Club and Schilling Bridge.

Badeschiff

The Badeschiff is a very unique place. Since the river Spree isn’t particularly made for swimming. They transformed to old ships into a swimming pool on the river. Pretty awesome right?! A lot of people hanging out at the Badeshiff the whole day. Swimming, chilling, sun bathing and later on dancing since they also do a lot of open air parties in the summer months.

Club der Visionäre

Club der Visionäre aka CdV is a bar swimming on the water of a sidearm of the river together with the bar Freischwimmer it’s the favourite place for people from Kreuzberg and Friedrichhain to chill out on a long long Sunday afternoon. At the CdV there are always really good Dj’s playing. There are no big gigs, it’s more like they go and play in their own living room. So often you get the chance to meet some high ranking Djs.

Lichtpark

Lichtpark is one of the newer Open Air Party locations. For the weekend they provide for a small entry fee nice electronic music and a chilled location on the river. This place is often crowded by people who either just come or go to Kater Holzig Club or did not get in for the Sunday after hour party but still want to make party.

Admiralbrücke

During the summer the bridge and its grassy shores are alive with droves of Berliners, relaxing and chilling with some cheap späti beers. All whilst taking in the vibes from the buskers, acoustic groups, And any other manner of movers and shakers that swings by. Free entertainment at its best! Setting the groove all the way into the night.

Berlin has a long history of beer culture. Around 1900 you found huge brewery’s in nearly every district of Berlin. Now days you still find these huge Industrial relics mostly used for cultural purpose like the “Kulturbrauerei” in Berlin Prenzlauer Berg. In times of globalisation the important brewery’s combine into one big company, brewing several brands under one Name. But since a few years many microbreweries flourish in the districts Friedrichshian, Kreuzberg and Mitte. If you come to Berlin and are on the look-out for a very special taste try out some of their creations.
Maibock, Märzen, Mondscheinbier, Schwarzbier, Bernstein, Brown Ale, Rotbier, Weizen or Schoppe Hell are just some of the names you should look out for. We put together a list of our favourite Microbrewery’s in Berlin Friedrichshain not far from the U inn Berlin Hostel and of course also from some other districts.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Schalander

Saturated in the northern part of Friedrichshain the Schalander successfully established quality fresh brewed beer in this area of Berlin where it was more common to just get you a cheap “Sterni” from the Späti. With “Helles” Pils “Dunkles” and “Weizen” they have 3 permanent beers fresh from tab plus seasonal beers. For the month May it will be a “MaiBock” a real speciality. The food they serve is called “Gut Bürgerlich” which is basically good German food. The menu is changing every week with seasonal speciality.

www.schalander-berlin.de
Schalander Hausbrauerei
Bänschstr. 91

Hops & Barley

Welcome to Berlin Friedrichshain. Not shiny, not blinky but we really know beer J Hops & Barley is a small local brewery right at the busy night-life area of Berlin. People come here of beer and of course for football. The variety of beer goes from typical Friedrichshainer Dunkel or Hell Pils to English Cider or Brown Ale. Bread made out of “Treber” a side product of the brewing process is served if you are hungry.

www.hopsandbarley-berlin.de
Wühlischstraße 22-23
10245 Berlin

BKK Bier Kombinat Kreuzberg

At the Bier Kombinat Kreuzberg you get served a great variety of fresh brewed beer by Schoppebräu a local Microbrewery. They Serve Schoppe Hell or Dunkel but also a Weizen witch tastes a little bit like banana with a slice of pickled gherkins. Definitely off the mainstream taste.

www.bier-kombinat.de
Manteuffelstraße 53
10999 Berlin

Marcus Bräu

The Marcus Bräu is a little hideout in Berlin Mitte. This district is usually more main stream and little Bars must close and make space for new big commercial places. But the Marcus Bräu has held its place for a long time now. And their recipe is simple.. Just a little Tank for their delicious beer and a typical down to earth menu in-case you are hungry. Simplicity at its best. And because of that fact it’s worth to visit this place if you around Alexanderplatz. Their Speciality is a huge Roasted Pork knuckle with a half litre of Helles or Dunkles Beer.

www.brau-dein-bier.de
Münzstraße 1-3
10178 Berlin

Brauhaus Lemke

The Brauhaus Lemke on Hackischer Markt is like the Mercedes of the microbrewery. It’s not really small. They have a beer garden for the summer month. The interior is rustic and the beer.. Woohooo! 4-Kinds of fresh brewed beer on tab. You can sit next the huge tanks. And there is always a smell of fresh beer around. Beside many Seasonal beers you get the so typical for Berlin Helles and Dunkles Pils plus a Weizen. The menu is outstanding. Good German kitchen which even for this part of Berlin has very reasonable prices. Check out their “Kasespetzle” one of my favourites.

www.brauhaus-lemke.com
Dircksenstr. S-BahnBogen 143
10178 Berlin

Green is in again, so why not on the plate too? It shouldn’t be just a matter of the environment, but also good for us and above all our friends the animals. Berlin offers a great selection for vegetarians and vegans to go crazy with. Now Friedrichhain’s first vegan supermarket opens their doors on the 30th of March 2013 at Warschauer Strasse 33. www.veganz.de

And here are more vegan/vegetarian places in Friedrichshain worth a visit:
• Yoyo Foodworld 27 Gärtnerstr. (Burger, Pizza, Salads and Co.)
• Vöner 56 Boxhagener Str. (Vegan Döner)
• Ohlálá Tartes Shop 18 Mainzer Str. (French Vegan Food)
• Bistro Bardot 83 Boxhagener Str. (100% Organ Vegan/Vegetarian Dishes)
• Hot Dog Soup 67 Grünberger Str. (vegetarian/vegan Soups and -Hot Dogs)
• Emma Pea Vegetarian Food & Bar 99 Revaler Str. (Soups, different Meals every day, Wraps, Tapas, Cakes – Vegetarian/Vegan-)
• Eisdiele Caramello/Organic Delicious 31 WühlischStr. (vegan/non-vegan organic Icecream)
• Eisbärliner 11 GärtnerStr. (tasty homemade vegan Soy- and Fruit-ice cream, bursting with fruit)

Source: http://www.berlin-vegan.de/berlin/restaurantkritiken/

For everyone who would like to find out more about Veganism http://www.berlin-vegan.de. You’ll find information about everything from `Vegan Taster Weeks´, renting vegan/vegetarian WG’s/Rooms to TIPS for being vegan and pregnant.
U inn says it’s worth having a look at !
STAY HEALTHY !!!!

*Vegetarian – don’t eat meat, mostly no fish as well
*Vegans – don’t eat any products from animals (NO milk, meat, fish, honey, …)

We turn five on the 1st of March! So give us a high 5! Every Check-in on that day gets a free Welcome Drink and everyone in the house is invited to the U inn Berlin Birthday Party! We will have free food and all drinks for only 1,-Euro!!! Test your karaoke skills and battle it out with other international guests and the hostel crew!

It has been an incredible 5 years hosting so many interesting and wonderful people from all over the world!! This celebration is our way of saying thank you to all those who have previously stayed here, for their part in building so many kind memories that have given spirit and warmth to our little home away from home! But also as a welcome to our current guests to come on up and boogie down yo…

Our first Guestbook entry

From the first day we opened till now, 5 years on our doors are always open to all the happy backpackers and other globetrotting travellers alike…. here are some of our favourite guest-book entries:

 „ … This Hostel is a Gem, probably one of the best hostels i was ever visiting (and I’ve been in many) Will surely recommend this Place! …” Tobias 2009

“ War ne richtig coole Woche, Geile Party Mukke am Morgen und supi Hostel. See you soon …“ Unknown happy guest 2011

“… it smells like rice in here but I like it. Makes me feel like home. 5 of 5 toasters. …” Jenny 2012

43 million Facebook fans, 22 million Twitter followers and 2.9 billion YouTube clicks make Justin Bieber the most successful teen star of all time!

What is a ‘Justin Bieber’

The music career of Justin Bieber began when the Canadians with 12 years of second place in the singing competition “Stratford Idol” finished. In the following period, he placed videos on YouTube in which he sang songs by artists such as Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo and Chris Brown, and were called in a short time over ten million times. There, he was discovered by his current manager, and invited to Atlanta, where Bieber met his idol and mentor Usher. A short time later, he signed a recording contract and released in 2009 “My World” is his début.

Still don’t know what we talking about?

In March he gives his concert at the O2 World in Berlin Friedrichshain. Everybody who doesn’t know what we talking about right now should avoid the area on the 31.3.2013 unless you are well equipped with earplugs. Remember the good old 90s: Take That, Backstreet Boys or East17. Yes Boygroups!! Justin Bieber is basically the same.

For everybody else who think Justin Bieber is World Hero Nr.1

But even if he is the greatest Child star to date, there are some rules to be observed understandably for younger fans:

• Children under 6 years are not allowed into concerts.
• Children / adolescents aged 6 to 16 years must be accompanied by an authorized person or guardian.
• Aged 16 and over may enter the concert unaccompanied by an authorized person or guardian.

See you in the front row. OMG it’s Justin Bieber!!

Special offer for January guests!!

Book your bed for two nights at the U inn Berlin Hostel and you will get the third night for free. How about that? Sounds cool doesn’t it?! But there’s more.. on Check-in you will get a free welcome beer!! The only thing you will have to do is book a 3 night stay at the U inn Berlin Hostel and mention that you would like to book with the BNG Anniversary Offer. This offer is good for bookings between 7.1 and 14.1.2013. So see you in Berlin and of course we wish you a Happy New Year and for the Backpacker Network a happy 10th Anniversary!!

2013 marks the 102th year of the Berlin Six Day Race in the heart of Germany since it began in 1909. Since its premier at the Velodrome on Landsberger Allee in 1997, the ISDE- creates a mood of good humour during the races; the days will not be short! So, in 2013 there is no doubt that there will be an attractive entertainment program!

Six Days International

World-class sport, exciting shows and exquisite cuisine are the keywords. The “Six Days” have been held every at New York’s Madison Square Garden year since 1896. First, each driver drove for himself, starting in 1899, but there still the usual two teams. At the first meeting in Berlin in March 1909 in the Aussstellungshallen at the Zoo in the 150-meter oval crossbar, 15 teams fought for victory.

Six Days Facts

A highlight not only for all sports enthusiasts, because the supporting program is perfect for a nice holidays!

The 102nd Berlin Six Day Race, 24.01.2013 until 29.01.2013!

Tickets can be had from about 25-35 €

Click here to view the embedded video.

Supermarket or Turkish Market

For example you can get the essentials like pasta and rice for less than a Euro, including milk and bread which are pretty much the same price across the board even if you prefer to go the bio/ vegan/ hipster route . However, vegetables, meats and fruits it gets a bit more complicated. In general, Lidl and Netto tie for the cheapest in this department but it does vary from week to week and what is on sale. Kaiser’s is generally a bit more expensive, but the quality is also quite a bit better. Berlin overall is quite famous for its incredibly cheap food prices so if you are on a budget it is quite easy to still eat well. So in short, Lidl and Netto are going to be the best bet for your fruit and veggie supply if the Flohmarkt/ Flea-market, Farmers-market or the Turkish Market in Kreuzberg are not available. If you are whipping up a simple pasta dish, any will suffice, and if you are more quality conscience then mosey on over to the nearest Kaiser’s (some are even open 24/6) or check out one of many Turkish Markets in our neighbourhood .

Don’t forget your empty bottles

Additionally if any of you heavy beer drinkers out there wonder why there are so many people asking for your empty beer bottles you might find this Blog post about collecting bottles  interesting. Did you know?! All Supermarkets accepting empty bottles as payment Woohoo!!

Also read our first and second part of the Berlin Survival Guide.

Club night X-Mas Shopping

Over four weekends in December respective venues transform into a giant pop-up concept store. At 3,000 square meters hand picked by creative s includes a wild mix of fashion, jewellery, product design, art, photography, graphic design, comics, literature and much more. Holy!Shit! It’s X-Mas shopping! With a mulled wine in hand, it can be a casual stroll to the sound of everyone’s favourite DJ’s through the hallowed halls of awesomeness! Holy Shit Shopping is the ‘Club night’ of Christmas markets!!

Location:

15th + 16. December: Postbahnhof Berlin Friedrichshain

Opening times:
Every Saturday 12:00 to 22:00
Friday, Sunday 12:00 to 20:00
Admission: 3 Euro

www.holyshitshopping.de

The biggest party in Germany

Whether at Brandenburg Gate or in one of countless clubs, Berlin offers – as always – Partygoers or those with quieter tastes the right ambience. Since the fall of the wall in 1989, the unarguable main event has traditionally been held at the Brandenburg Gate. Every year around 1 million people from all over Germany and the globe turn out to celebrate the New Year at one of the biggest parties in the world.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Performing this year, among others:
Andreas Bourani, Cassandra Steen, Culture Beat, DJ BoBo, DJ Ötzi, Frida Gold, Glasperlenspiel, Hermes House Band, Hot Chocolate, Jimi Jamison, Johnny Logan, Kim Wilde, Marianne Rosenberg, Musical Rocks, Scorpions, The Boss Hoss, Udo Jürgens

So get your warmest socks out, get your coat on and get up to Berlin.