Queer as Volk

Few contemporary gallerists have made their impact on the art world in the provocative, influential way that Javier Peres has. Eccentric art star and mentor to a whole new generation of gender-bending artists, he’s also a 24-hour party boy and nightlife impresario. In the past, Peres has hosted notorious fêtes at places like legendary New York gay bar the Cock and Miami’s licentious Gold Rush Gentlemen’s Club. So who better to ask than Peres, who founded his second gallery space in Berlin four years ago, for tips on how to unlock the pleasure chest that is Germany’s capital city?

Suit Up
So you made it to Berlin and you’re ready to mingle. Too bad you look like an utter tourist. Time to outfit yourself in Germany’s finest. Swing by the Apartment (Memhardstraße 8, 10178). This shop is in the basement of what looks like a vast white and very empty store front—very East Berlin, early ’90s. In fact, the first time I walked by it, I was with my younger brother and we looked in, shocked that such a cool looking space was totally empty. It took me another month or so before I realized the door was even open and an amazing shop was beneath the lovely white space. It is a beautiful black room, with matte black walls, shaggy black carpets and rad clothing. All my favorite German brands can be found here: Berlin designer Bernhard Wilhelm and the store’s own label, Apartment, as well as the UK’s Rick Owens and the Japanese label, Undercover. Looking for something more classic? Wander over to Ca$h (Memhardstraße 8, 10178) around the corner from Apartment, where you can find everything from vintage Chanel to Margiela.

Relax
As the heat starts to shimmer off the sidewalks in Berlin, the time is ripe for cruising—i.e. the age-old art of getting it on in public. If you are visiting Germany’s capital and fancy a public blowjob, just head to the nearest park. Every park has a designated cruising area, and those not interested in witnessing some man-on-man action can just avoid said fly-zone. Want to score some pills and hash, see black swans in the nature preserve and get laid by a Turkish daddy? Head to the Hasenheide Park (park grounds extend from the border of Kreuzberg and Neukölln).

Hit a Club
If parks aren’t your thing and you’re after fun of the indoor variety, head to Pet Shop Bears, a small venue right next door to Berghain’s Cuntine (Rüdersdorfer Straße 70, 10243), an infamous techno-epicenter that recalls high school dances of old— except for the fact that it’s packed with hot, gay Germans. Moebel Olfe (Reichenberger Straße 177, 10999)—or Moebel AWFUL as some call it—is another fun spot, but it can get pretty packed, and personal space is not a term that translates into German. Not that that’s a bad thing…

Refuel

It’s the end of the day, and all that cruising, dancing and shopping has made you pretty hungry. Want to feast on milk-fed fried chicken while feasting your eyes on hot East German dykes? Check out Henna (Leuschnerdamm 25, 10999). This place takes chicken and steamy German country-style dining to new heights. And for the best Wiener schnitzel, head to Austria (Bergmannstrasse 30, 10961). The schnitzel is amazing, huge and cheap, and Bergmannstrasse is teeming with hot men. And, if irony is your thing, check out Ixthys (Pallasstrasse 21, 10781), a little Korean place in Schöneberg. Run by Christian fundamentalists who serve up a mean bi bim bop, this eatery is plastered with Bible quotes and diagrams depicting how bleak your life is without the Lord Jesus.

Check out Peresprojects.com for more info on Javier Peres and his gallery space.

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