The Local Germany

Are laughing and dancing really forbidden in Germany on Good Friday?

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:49:41 +0200

In Germany, Good Friday, or 'Karfreitag' is a designated silent holiday. Here's a look at what's allowed and what's not, and what you can still get up to on the public holiday.

From dancing bans to forbidden films: How strict are Germans over Easter?

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 12:53:35 +0100

Less than half of Germans are Christian, but dancing bans still apply on Good Friday - varying in severity between the country's 16 states. What are the rules, and how strictly are they followed?

Bavaria mulls reopening clubs - but only for the vaccinated

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 17:06:49 +0200

Bavarian revellers could once again be able to hit the clubs in their home state this autumn - but only if they've had their Covid jabs.

Berlin's KitKat fetish nightclub to become Covid-19 testing centre

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 12:18:30 +0100

Berlin's legendary KitKat fetish nightclub will reopen to the public on Friday, but visitors might be disappointed to discover that the only latex on show will be medical gloves.

Legendary Berlin dance hall faces uncertain future

Thu, 26 Dec 2019 10:39:29 +0100

The dance floor of Claerchens Ballhaus has seen it all: from its first tangos in 1913 to balls for war widows to the Cuban rumba banned by the Nazis.

Berlin institution KitKat Club 'set to close doors'

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 15:52:12 +0100

KitKat, an iconic fetish club in Berlin’s nightlife scene, is threatened with closure, local media reported on Thursday.

Is it really illegal to dance at Easter in Germany?

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 07:45:52 +0200

The majority of states in Germany have a ban on dancing in public on Good Friday, and even Berlin will be a dance-free zone for most of the day out of respect for the religious holiday.

Berlin clubs brought city €1.5 billion in 2018: study

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 21:04:54 +0100

Berlin’s famous club scene has long been hyped as among the best in the world. But a new study has shown that aside from comprising an essential stitch in the city’s “poor but sexy” fabric, Berlin’s nightlife has a very real economic value to match its unmeasurable street cred.

Hundreds attend 'techno mass' in Berlin church with renowned DJ priest

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 10:14:11 +0100

Twin decks perched on a candlelit altar, Robert Hood mixed trademark minimalist techno with God, as the charismatic producer and ordained priest wowed a packed Berlin church on Friday night.

Mannheim to elect Germany's first 'night mayor'

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 12:20:55 +0200

Ten candidates for the office of Germany's first “night mayor” will stand for election on Thursday - appropriately at 6:30 p.m.

Hamburg named best city in the world for a night out

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 15:42:44 +0100

Who says Germans don't know how to have fun? In a recent study by HostelWorld, Hamburg has been voted the top city in the world for a night out, with Berlin coming in at a close third.

Berlin clubs - the ten most famous and notorious

Fri, 03 Feb 2017 12:35:33 +0100

There is perhaps no other city in the world as famous for its nightlife and clubs as Berlin. We give you the lowdown on the Berlin clubs everyone has to visit - if you can get in that is.

No queue, no bouncer: Berlin clubs open as 'monuments'

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 14:40:26 +0200

As part of the city's Day of Open Monuments, eight Berlin clubs will be opening their doors, saving visitors the hassle of waiting in a long queue and facing a grumpy bouncer.

Website helps 'train' users to get into Berghain

Mon, 06 Jun 2016 19:01:40 +0200

A new website offers "training" for getting into Berlin's most notorious club.

Berghain 'best place on Earth' says Claire Danes

Tue, 29 Sep 2015 12:21:36 +0200

Hollywood star Claire Danes took a break from shooting the new season of Homeland in Berlin this year to drop into the capital's most notorious club – and she liked what she found.

From punk photographer to Berghain bouncer

Thu, 07 Aug 2014 17:15:00 +0200

"Night is Life": so runs the title of a book to be published on Friday by Sven Marquardt, the merciless bouncer of Berlin's world-famous Berghain club. He may be hard to get past, but our German of the Week also has a sensitive side.

The best of Berlin's 24-hour bars

Fri, 20 May 2011 09:09:00 +0200

Despite Berlin’s reputed round-the-clock nightlife, all of the capital’s bars close at some point, right? Well, not quite. Exberliner magazine’s Jacob Heinze discovered four real 24-hour drinking joints.

Young Israelis go crazy for Berlin

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:47:00 +0100

Growing numbers of young Israelis are moving to Berlin, eager to put the shadow of the past behind them. Ruth Michaelson reports on why so many are "meshugge" for the German capital and how they are shaping its culture.

Unpopular waterfront development plans still afloat in Berlin

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:06:00 +0200

Plans to develop desirable property along Berlin’s Spree River into a quarter for media companies has run into stiff opposition from residents fearing the city is selling out its unique spaces. Melanie Sevcenko reports.