5 Berlin Nightlife Rules American Tourists Break Within The First 10 Minutes

There are two sides to Germany's capital city. Taking in the cultural richness of its art galleries and history museums, or wandering around its surprisingly expansive leafy green parks and nearby lakes, are all, of course, daytime activities. And those adventures can keep you very busy indeed. But as one of the nightlife hubs of Europe, Berlin has a whole other side that is better to explore after dark, a famous clubbing scene fostered by the creative and open-minded population. But cultural differences between Germany and North America are very, how can I put this, apparent at times. And unsuspecting tourists who haven't done their research can get it a bit, um, wrong.

After over 20 years of visiting Berlin and its nightclubs, enduring countless occasions of crashing on the sofas of a handful of local friends, I have experienced the clubbing scene firsthand in some depth. Perhaps at times a bit too much depth. But I have come out the other side with an understanding of the "rules" and social etiquette that Germans prefer, which get lost in translation or just plain overlooked by first-time American visitors. So between myself and the good folks of Reddit, here are five pointers that I hope demystify your next trip to the city that never sleeps.

If you're an American who's grown up in the USA, the old adage "the customer's always right" is probably part of your DNA, as the service industry bends over backward to keep y'all happy. This is not how things work in Berlin. Not in the slightest. And nowhere is this more evident than when coming face to face with the nightclub door staff.

Queuing for hours for Berghain, Sisyphos, Tresor, or Watergate does not guarantee entry (#RIP to the latter, but their summer pop-ups are still going strong). This is particularly the case at Berghain, which is notoriously tricky to get into as a tourist. The doormen and women decide whether to let you in based on your "vibe" and a glance is all it takes. So be confident, laid back and low key — you'll likely be just fine. If they turn you away, do not take it personally. It happens to tourists every day. Don't try and talk your way in and certainly don't air your grievances. What the door staff says goes. Cut your losses and try a different venue.

Here's a tip for club entry success: clubbing fashion in Berlin is very different from hitting "da club" in North America. Back home, women might be pulling on those high heels and short skirts, getting dressed to the nines, but this will not fly in the German capital. Berliners love thrifting and it's one of the best cities in Europe for vintage fashion. So when preparing your outfit, think muted colors, flat shoes, maybe a boho vibe at most. It feels counterintuitive, but that's the local look — perhaps because it's so flipping cold for much of the year. If you truly need to get dolled up to feel completely comfortable, then go for it, but this only works if this is your day-to-day default in which you feel 100% yourself.

It's also worth noting that if you arrive to queue at the club before 2 a.m., it will be glaringly obvious to the door staff that you're a tourist, and tourists are less likely to be admitted into the big clubs, so keep things low key and arrive as late as possible. Real Berliners hit the club queue at 6 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday morning.

Germans aren't unfriendly people — reserved is a better word. Big audible conversations in public (especially on public transport) are a real gaffe, and while it might seem normal, talking louder while traveling abroad gives some Europeans the impression that Americans are rude. Peace and love, don't shoot the messenger — that's just a big cultural difference to note. And I get it, back home having a big old chinwag that everyone around you can hear is a perfectly fine way to while away the hours of queuing to get into the club. But it is a sure-fire way to annoy the Berliners around you and get denied entry.

Keep conversations to a murmur or mutter, and do not be overly familiar with Germans in the queue around you. The smaller the group size, the more likely you'll get into the Berlin clubs — duos or trios are best. Keep quiet, keep it intimate, and you'll have a better night and receive fewer of the famous German stares.

Okay, so you've made it past the door staff (passing the vibe check of famous Sven at Berghain is an accolade we should all take with us to our dying day) and maybe you want to celebrate that. But please note this is not the time for selfies or to gloat online. Put your phone away.

Most clubs will give you a sticker to put over your phone's camera or make you check it in the cloakroom. Photography is not allowed inside to protect the privacy of the communities who call Berlin nightclubs home. If you need to text a friend, step off the dance floor and do so discreetly where the blue light of your phone won't disturb people around you. That's just Berlin manners.

As a Brit, I really shouldn't comment on this one. My people famously love to overdo it on the liquor front. But in the interest of sharing a tip while passing no judgment, Berlin clubbers do not get super drunk. And if they are drunk, they sure as heck do not look like it. The nightclub scene is all about the music, the DJ, dancing for hours, and nurturing a strong and inclusive LGBTQI+ community. It is not about getting absolutely hammered.

Once you have this in mind, the locals arriving at 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. make more sense. They've likely gone for a nice dinner, had a few wines, had a nap, freshened up, and are in comfortable attire ready to show their favorite DJ some appreciation. So keep a lid on it. Sure, you're in Berlin to party, but partying like a German requires more decorum than perhaps most of us are used to. Keep these five tips in mind, and you'll have one of the best weekends of your life.