Insider tips: Welcome to Berlin! Enjoy the lakes by day and the awesome clubbing scene by night!

Meet Pete! He is 27, originally art historian and lately an art curator. Right now based in Berlin-Mitte with his partner Luis. They own and run a luxurious sparkling wine boutique and gallery called Prosecco Berlin.

What makes Berlin a favourite gay destination?
Berlin offers incredible cultural and party options every day. I traveled a lot within Europe but never experienced such a cool night life and never ending parties with the best techno and dance music and with so many beautiful people. For those who don’t like to go out during the night - Berlin is the seat of the best orchestra in the world Berliner Philharmonic and Deutsche Oper is also a must!

What is the best gay event that takes place in Berlin?
The most interesting for me are Naked Boys Reading with incredible Pansy Parker and a great literature red by beautiful people; Pornceptual, which happens ones a month and is a platform for incredible fashion, people of all likes and freedom, and last but not least I would mention Gegen.

What is your favourite gay establishment to grab a bite for lunch? A nice dinner?
My absolutely most favourite lunch place is David Chipperfield Kantine, make sure you go right at 12:00 ones they start to serve, after 12:30 it might get pretty packed! They offer international cuisine with a German spike and a free bread and water is another plus. Best dinner places for me is Fleischerei at Schönhauser Allee. They offer small and a big steak in the best quality and they have great German and Austrian wines. If you are not in the mood for steak, YamYam is the place! Best Korean cuisine I had in my life.

Best gay bar for a cheap beer?
St. Jean on Wednesday. They have specials on cocktails and beers so the bar is packed and you will meet a lot of new friends as well.

Best gay bar for a refreshing cocktail?
The Coven. Ring the bell to get inside. It has the right atmosphere for a great cocktail - it is dark and the music is just the right volume. And the guys really know what they are doing.

Which famous gay person is from your city?
I think legendary speech of the mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit in 2001 when he said “Ich bin Schwul - und das ist auch Gut so” (I am gay and that’s a good thing) makes him very important and definitely inspiring for many people not just here in Berlin and Germany.

Ready to go dancing--what is the best gay dance club?
Berghain, nothing to add.

Which gay bar offers the best happy hour on a Wednesday?
As mentioned above - St. Jean. Also the bartrenders are always good looking.

Where to start a gay tour in your home city?
It's worth a visit a the gay museum of Berlin, which moved to a new building just a few years ago.

Best place to socialise with the local gay community?
Berlin is very mixed when it comes to the local gay community. You will meet people from all over the world. Go to Möbel-Olfe in Kreuzberg, Tom’s in Schöneberg, to Chantal’s in Prenzlau-Berg on Thursday and you will always find interesting people.

Best place to be surrounded by the local gays?
Did I forget to mention Berghain?

How gay-friendly is your home city?
I think if you are straight, Berlin makes you at least homo flexible. Just kidding, I think Berlin is a really great place, not just gay-friendly, but very tolerant and peaceful in general. People experienced a lot of bad things in the past here and I think it gives it a status of somehow protected place. All those parties which are happening in Berlin won’t be really possible in any other city in the world.

A gay place for brunch on weekends?
Well, I will go to Thai park to get some home made spicy food from the great people from Berlin Thai community or buy a bottle at Prosecco Berlin and make a barbecue just next to the Museum Island in Monbijou Park. Romeo & Romeo in Schöneberg might worth to visit as well, in case you are in that area.

What is gay life like in Berlin?
People of Berlin love to party. You might get totally lost in those never ending parties and afterparties and new parties starting at midnight, midday, 8 in the morning, 4 in the afternoon… Berlin also offers a lot of dance performances, art events, drag shows, Korean Karaoke, etc. You never get bored in Berlin.

What are your favourite gay venues in Berlin?
In the summer it is the gay beach at Wansee - beautiful lake with crystal clear water and long sand beaches. Berlin doesn’t have a sea, but there are thousands of lakes around. In the season I love to go to Deutsche Oper and Konzerthaus and when it comes to the party, I think you should check out this place called KitKat, you might remember it for a while.