User:PrinceGloria/East Central

East Central is a trendy, bohemian, artsy area that consists of Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Prenzlauer Berg (sometimes called Prenzlberg). The western district Kreuzberg was merged with the eastern district Friedrichshain in 2001. They skew towards to a young and alternative, often politically left-oriented crowd. Both districts feature a very heterogeneous architecture, from whole quarters of 19th century apartment houses to functional and not very pleasant 60s and 70s residential building blocks. You also notice the differences as the districts were separated by the wall. The remaining part of the wall between Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg is the longest part still existing in Berlin. Prenzlauer Berg is to the northeast of Friedrichshain and has changed considerably since reunification. It has gentrified similarly to Brooklyn/Williamsburg from deserted apartment houses into a lively area for students, artists and young people – if they or their parents can afford it. Rents have risen sharply in the last few years, and many empty apartments in this area are no longer rented out but sold, refurbished into luxurious lofts or hostel rooms.

Understand


The former districts of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain had few things in common (one thing is nowadays for sure the attraction to students, politically left and young creative people), due to their history on each side of the wall. Since the political decision to merge, these two districts work politically together. The name was made by flipping a coin to decide what name to appear first.

Get in


The main gateways for Friedrichshain are the S-Bahn stations Ostkreuz and Warschauer Straße. There are frequent U- and S-Bahn to the main tourist central in Friedrichshain, e.g. the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery close to the "Warschauer Straße" station.

The best and fastest way to get into Prenzlauer Berg is either the U-Bahn (U2) Eberswalder Straße or the S-Bahn Schönhauser Allee (S41, S42, S8, S9, U2).



See
There are several monuments and museums in this district as it stretches across the former borders of East and West Berlin, something that was only done in Mitte, too.

Friedrichshain












Prenzlauer Berg
There aren't many museums and only a few minor sights to explore in Prenzlauer Berg, although the recently opened (and free!) Kulturbrauerei Museum is well worth a detour for those interested in everyday life in East Germany. Of some interest is the atmosphere in the streets, sitting down in a nice café and watching the hip crowds go by.





Friedrichshain




Prenzlauer Berg
Nearly everywhere the clubs and bars are open till at least 5 o'clock (on weekends).



Clothing

 * Berlinomat, Frankfurter Allee 89 (S+U Frankfurter Allee). Mon-Fri 11AM-8PM, Sat 10AM–6PM.



Flea markets




Prenzlauer Berg
Prenzelberg is very popular with students and other budget-conscious people but in recent years the area (especially around Kollwitzplatz) has been developed which has attracted more upmarket restaurants. In other words, check the menu before you sit down.



Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain
Kreuzberg is a popular area for a drink and most people enjoy the very laid back atmosphere. Usually people tend to go out later so most bars start to fill up from 10-11PM


 * Konrad Tönz , Falkenstein Strasse. Retro 70s with live DJs playing old vinyl records. Most comfortable chairs imaginable and the barman, Jens, is a local legend for his friendliness and charm. Open Tuesday-Sunday 20.00 - whenever (usually around 3-5AM).
 * Luzia, Oranienstraße 34. Hot brand-new bar.
 * Konrad Tönz , Falkenstein Strasse. Retro 70s with live DJs playing old vinyl records. Most comfortable chairs imaginable and the barman, Jens, is a local legend for his friendliness and charm. Open Tuesday-Sunday 20.00 - whenever (usually around 3-5AM).
 * Luzia, Oranienstraße 34. Hot brand-new bar.
 * Konrad Tönz , Falkenstein Strasse. Retro 70s with live DJs playing old vinyl records. Most comfortable chairs imaginable and the barman, Jens, is a local legend for his friendliness and charm. Open Tuesday-Sunday 20.00 - whenever (usually around 3-5AM).
 * Luzia, Oranienstraße 34. Hot brand-new bar.
 * Konrad Tönz , Falkenstein Strasse. Retro 70s with live DJs playing old vinyl records. Most comfortable chairs imaginable and the barman, Jens, is a local legend for his friendliness and charm. Open Tuesday-Sunday 20.00 - whenever (usually around 3-5AM).
 * Luzia, Oranienstraße 34. Hot brand-new bar.
 * Konrad Tönz , Falkenstein Strasse. Retro 70s with live DJs playing old vinyl records. Most comfortable chairs imaginable and the barman, Jens, is a local legend for his friendliness and charm. Open Tuesday-Sunday 20.00 - whenever (usually around 3-5AM).
 * Luzia, Oranienstraße 34. Hot brand-new bar.
 * Luzia, Oranienstraße 34. Hot brand-new bar.
 * Luzia, Oranienstraße 34. Hot brand-new bar.

Clubs

 * Geburtstagsklub, Am Friedrichshain 33. Best reggae party in town on Mondays, other days vary.
 * Geburtstagsklub, Am Friedrichshain 33. Best reggae party in town on Mondays, other days vary.
 * Geburtstagsklub, Am Friedrichshain 33. Best reggae party in town on Mondays, other days vary.
 * Geburtstagsklub, Am Friedrichshain 33. Best reggae party in town on Mondays, other days vary.

Bars and Cafes

 * Luxus bar, Prenzlauer Allee 197. Great small bar, nice with bricks and an aquarium, looks like an old meat store, can be crowded, excellent music.
 * Luxus bar, Prenzlauer Allee 197. Great small bar, nice with bricks and an aquarium, looks like an old meat store, can be crowded, excellent music.
 * Luxus bar, Prenzlauer Allee 197. Great small bar, nice with bricks and an aquarium, looks like an old meat store, can be crowded, excellent music.
 * Luxus bar, Prenzlauer Allee 197. Great small bar, nice with bricks and an aquarium, looks like an old meat store, can be crowded, excellent music.
 * Luxus bar, Prenzlauer Allee 197. Great small bar, nice with bricks and an aquarium, looks like an old meat store, can be crowded, excellent music.
 * Luxus bar, Prenzlauer Allee 197. Great small bar, nice with bricks and an aquarium, looks like an old meat store, can be crowded, excellent music.
 * Luxus bar, Prenzlauer Allee 197. Great small bar, nice with bricks and an aquarium, looks like an old meat store, can be crowded, excellent music.

Clubs

 * Bastard, Kastanienallee, next to Prater Garten. Mostly punk, ska and alternative music.
 * Dunckerclub, Dunckerstr. 64. Alternative, hard rock, indie.
 * Dr Pong, Eberswalder Straße 21. A typically Berlin style club where you can play table tennis and drink cheap beer, very friendly place.

Budget











 *  Pegasus Hostel Berlín , Straße der Pariser Kommune 35 (U-Bahn: Weberwiese), tel. 2977 360 (fax: 2977 3610, email: [mailto:hostel@pegasushostel.de hostel@pegasushostel.de]), . 2-bed rooms start at €19 per person, sleeping hall starts at €10. One of this independent hostel's main attractions is its large, green courtyard which hosts a beer garden, BBQ, table tennis and comfortable seating areas. They have free internet access, laundry service and multilingual staff. They offer accommodations from single rooms with showers and WC, to beds in dormitory rooms.


 *  Raise a Smile Hostel Berlín , Weidenweg 51 (U-Bahn: Frankfurter Tor Tram:M10), (email: [mailto:hostel@raise-a-smile.org hostel@raise-a-smile.org]), . Double rooms start at €17.90 per person, sleeping hall starts at €8.90. Small & homely independent hostel opened in December 2009. The hostel is decorated in an African style with each room having a different animal theme. 100% of the profit from the hostel is used to support the charity "Raise a Smile" which helps children in Zambia, Africa.














 * U Inn Berlin Hostel, Finowstraße 36 (U-Bahn: Samariterstraße and near S-Bahn/U-Bahn: Frankfurter Allee), e-mail: [mailto:info@uinnberlinhostel.com info@uinnberlinhostel.com],; another cosy backpacker hostel that offers singles, doubles and dorms.



Bed and Breakfast






Budget
















Mid-range