Berlin chicago gay bar 1990
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The history of Detroit techno is populated by the influence of Black electronic music, but also determined by European electronic pioneers and ignited by the socio-economic and cultural circumstances of Motor City itself. 40 years later, the music he christened “techno” has branched off into numerous styles and sub-genres, but the ethos remains the same: futurism, optimism, escape, catharsis and people dancing in unity to the electronic beats. Crumbling Motor City became glistening Techno City, as Atkins channeled elements of funk and soul through automated beats into innovative electronic compositions that migrated over the Atlantic to Europe as part of an ongoing cultural exchange.
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Inspired by the work of futurist Alvin Toffler, whose book Future Shock he studied at school, Atkins, still only in his teens, set about creating music that could transport listeners to an imagined future. For more information, check out the Berlin website.In the decaying post-industrial Midwestern city of Detroit, a young Black man by the name of Juan Atkins manifested an escape hatch into the future with the aid of his Korg MS10 synth. If you like Berlin, you might also want to drop by Spin, Circuit or Hydrate. I am officially too old to keep up with the crowd at Berlin but back in the day, being able to drink and dance until 5am was worth the drama on a Friday night. The diverse and fun crowd makes up for these things and the fact that the club closes at 4am during the week and 5 am on Saturdays doesn’t hurt either. I’ve also heard a few stories about people being pick-pocketed or having their purses and coats disappearing-hence, why there is a coat check. The cover charge can also be a little ridiculous at times: I’ve paid up to $8 just to get in the door. People are sometimes so packed into the club you will leave with wet and sticky clothes from everyone unintentionally spilling drinks on you. It can get really busy especially after all the other Boystown bars close and Berlin is the only one open. A couple of DJs have copped attitudes when requesting certain songs that are apparently beneath them to play and sometimes the bartenders pick and choose who they feel it necessary to serve. One of the downsides at Berlins is the occasionally rude staff. The themes on weekends change regularly but currently the first Sunday of every month is Madonna night and the last Sunday of every month is 80s night: a night I often make a point of visiting the bar just to see Cyndi Lauper look-alikes and dance to Footloose. Manic Mondays invite new DJs every week and there is no cover, Tuesdays bring the aforementioned dollar drink nights, Stardust Thursdays welcome guest DJs and local stars, and Fridays are all about alternative music and dance. In addition to drink specials, Berlin observes a new theme every night of the week. Specials change weekly but typically Tuesdays drinks are $1, Wednesdays select shots are $1 and PBR is $2, Thursdays the PBR special continues and Jack Daniels cocktails are $6, Sundays Heinekens are $3. Maybe it’s the music, the public groping, I’m not sure but for some reason straight men can’t get enough of Berlin.ĭrinks at Berlin are mediocre at best as they can be a little weak at times and the beer sometimes tastes a little stale but you can’t complain when the bar offers such good deals. It is very straight-friendly and surprisingly it’s not straight women that frequent the bar the most but straight men. All groping aside, a very diverse crowd can be found at Berlin. I kid you not-this happens frequently at the nightclub so if public groping isn’t your thing I would suggest wearing a giant sign reading “hands off” or just steer clear of the club all together. Even women find themselves getting their ass grabbed by horny drag queens and kings. I guess this could be a good or bad thing, depending on how you look at it. If you are looking to get felt up by random strangers then you will be in heaven at Berlin. A cool late-night dance club? A grope-fest? Perhaps a little of both…īerlin’s dance floor is where all the action is at, literally.
BERLIN CHICAGO GAY BAR 1990 WINDOWS
With blackened windows and funky metal lettering above two nondescript black doors, one isn’t sure what they’ll find inside. Those who loved it then are less enthused about what it’s become today but Berlin is welcoming a new crowd, trying to stand out on its own, and strives to avoid being just any old Boystown nightclub.īerlin is located on Belmont, adjacent to the Belmont “L” Station. And from what I’ve heard, the club used to be the hot spot in Chicago back in the late 80s and early 90s. If you’re into the whole nightclub thing, I am inclined to agree. Prior to my first visit to Berlin a couple years ago, I was told that it was one of the best nightclubs in Chicago.