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| Stasis |
Hallo!
I am an American law student who spent the past weekend in Berlin sightseeing. After reading great reviews in many sources, including TA, Time Out, and the New York Times, I planned on spending Saturday night at Berghain/Panorama Bar.
I went with 2 other law students, and after waiting in live for approximately 45 minutes we were stopped at the door by the main bouncer--an older man with a tattoo across his face. He looked at us for a second and then said in German, "You speak English, find another place." We asked him if he was serious, and a second bouncer came over to us and said to us, this time in English, "My friend says you speak English, and so you'll have to find some other place tonight, good-bye."
Now, I'm 25 and was by no-means rude, drunk, loud or any other quality that could typically get you refused from entering a bar or club. I didn't put up an argument at the time, I just left, stunned and dejected with my friends, but I really wish I had told the bouncers that what they were using as grounds for refusing our entry (our English language) was simply illegal. If nothing more, I hope this tarnishes Berghain's current image as a internationally famous nightclub.
Berghain should be exposed for condoning illegal discriminatory door policies. |
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| maddhatterradio |
Did you have tickets to get in the Berghain? That is really crazy. You would think your $$ would spend the same as anyone elses.
Is it like that throughout most of Germany or is this an isolated incident? We had plans on hitting up the same club in Berlin in January.... Any feedback would be appreciated. |
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| Sir. Lunchalot |
I never made it to a Berghain party (yet), but a lot of other GTA`s have been. They always reported that the door is very tough. Rejecting you for "speaking english" was probably not the real reason he refused you but probably because he thought that you didn`t fit the crowd of that night. I know people from the US that have been inside + they have international DJs so I really believe that "english" was not the real point...
Coming back to the legal / illegal issue. Every club in Germany has the so called "house right" which means that they can decide whom they let in and whom not. That`s not illegal in Germany but just a fact and the way it is, so every club basically "chooses" the audience it likes, which is no different anywhere in the world that I`ve been to (I got rejected by a bouncer in New York on Halloween this year because we were two guys and had no girls with us...).
Sorry you had a bad experience. Maybe you can try again some other night. :) |
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| Stasis |
Yeah, I actually don't mind being rejected for simply not looking the part as much as being rejected for my language/nationality.
I respect the 'house right' of most clubs, and I usually take a lot of precautions to try and fit into what most clubs are looking for--I get dressed up, bring my girl friends, don't show up drunk...etc, etc. It was a little tough to look proper in line that night since it was below freezing outside and I was pretty bundled up in a hat and scarf. Oh well, I had a great time in Berlin otherwise with almost everyone I met being extremely accommodating and friendly. Next time I see the city I'll try a different club though. |
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| Tom Paris |
Iīm sorry, too.
But donīt bother or think about the reasons.
In Hamburg there was a time, you were rejected for wearing the wrong shoes ;) |
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tranceaddict Forums Archive > Local Scene Info / Discussion > Europe > Europe - Germany
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