Q Seid ihr zu zweit? — Are there two of you?Berlin
- A Ja, zu zweit. — Yes, two of us.
- A Nein, zu dritt. — No, three of us.
They'll say Kommt rein. — Come on in.
Nightlife — the door, the club, the people (Germany)
Q → A → what they'll probably say
Short answerIn Germany, say Ja, zu zweit. — Yes, two of us.
At the door (Berlin rules)
Q Wie alt seid ihr? — How old are you?
- A Sechsundzwanzig. — Twenty-six.
They'll say Ausweis, bitte. — ID, please.
Q Was kostet der Eintritt? — How much is it to get in?
- A Fünfzehn Euro. — Fifteen euros.
Q Heute nicht. — Not tonight.Berlin
- A Alles klar, schönen Abend. — Fair enough, have a good night.
They'll say Der Nächste, bitte. — Next, please.
Berlin doors give no reason and you do not ask for one. Taking it well is the entire etiquette — arguing guarantees it again.
Q Ist heute was los? — Is it busy tonight?
- A Ab eins wird's voll. — It fills up after one.
Q Handykameras werden abgeklebt. — Phone cameras get taped over.Berlin
- A Okay, kein Problem. — Okay, no problem.
They'll say Aufkleber bleibt drauf. — The sticker stays on.
Standard in Berlin clubs. No photos inside, the tape stays until you leave, and people relax because of it.
Q Kann ich meine Jacke abgeben? — Can I check my jacket?
- A Garderobe ist rechts, drei Euro. — Cloakroom's on the right, three euros.
Q Stempel für den Wiedereintritt? — Stamp for re-entry?
- A Ja, unbedingt. — Yes, definitely.
They'll say Dann bis gleich. — See you in a bit, then.
Making friends & moving on
Q Kommt ihr oft her? — Do you come here often?
- A Jedes Wochenende. — Every weekend.
Q Wollen wir zusammen weiterziehen? — Shall we move on together?
- A Klar, wohin? — Sure, where to?
Q Bist du allein hier? — Are you here on your own?
- A Nein, mit Freunden. — No, with friends.
- A Gerade schon, ja. — Right now, yes.
They'll say Komm doch zu uns. — Come and join us, then.
Q Wo geht ihr danach hin? — Where are you going after this?
- A In den Club um die Ecke. — To the club round the corner.
Q Wie heißt du nochmal? — What was your name again?
- A [NAME] — und du? — [NAME] — and you?
Q Willst du was trinken? — Do you want a drink?
- A Gerne, ein Bier. — Yes please, a beer.
- A Danke, ich hab noch. — Thanks, I've still got one.
They'll say Ich hol's. — I'll get it.
Q Ich muss langsam los. — I should get going.
- A Schon? Bleib doch noch! — Already? Stay a bit longer!
They'll say War schön — bis bald! — It was good — see you soon!
Q Kennst du hier einen guten Laden? — Do you know anywhere good round here?
- A Zwei Straßen weiter, der ist besser. — Two streets over — that one's better.
Going-out slang
- vorglühenTo pre-drink — literally "to pre-glow".
- die SperrstundeClosing time — largely theoretical in Berlin.
- der TürsteherThe bouncer — the person who decides how your night goes.
- abtanzenTo dance it properly out of your system.
- einen draufmachenTo go big tonight.
- durchmachenTo go straight through until morning.
- auf exyoungIn one — downing a drink in a single go.
- das FeierabendbierThe after-work beer — an institution rather than an event.