Q Seid ihr zu zweit?BerlinAre there two of you?
- 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)
How to get into a club in Germany
Q → A → what they'll probably say
Compiled by Gabriel Gilles · Updated
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 all?
- A Sechsundzwanzig.Twenty-six.
They'll say Ausweis, bitte.ID, please.
Q Ist heute was los?Is it busy tonight?
- A Ab eins wird's voll.It fills up after one.
Q Was kostet der Eintritt?How much is it to get in?
- A Fünfzehn Euro.Fifteen euros.
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 Handykameras werden abgeklebt.BerlinPhone cameras get taped over.
- 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 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.
Q Heute nicht.BerlinNot tonight.
- 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.
Making friends & moving on
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 Kommt ihr oft her?Do you come here often?
- A Jedes Wochenende.Every weekend.
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 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.
Q Wollen wir zusammen weiterziehen?Shall we move on together?
- A Klar, wohin?Sure, where to?
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 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!
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.