Friday and Saturday.

Arena and Villa.

The High-light of this weekend is without a doubt Arena tomorrow night. The entire area will be open. And with a line-up like that I'm sure it will be good.

When looking at what the weekend has to offer it's clear that it's summer. Summer in Germany offer so many different things that the clubs have it harder to get the DJs and the guests. Meaning they either relax, close or saves up for big things. The last is what's happening tomorrow in Arena. All the different parts of the arena area will be open. If it gets full then will be the biggest club in Berlin this weekend. Only thing is that it might be a really long line.


Tonight on the other hand is a bit trickier. Badeschiff will probably be nice. At least one good Dj will be playing, La Fleur. It's gonna be at the swimming area of Arena so it will be a beach kind of thing. Then there is always Bar 25. It's not just a after hour place, I really like it at night. Of course both of these depend on good weather. If the weather is not good then Villa is having a off season party (for them off season), that might be good.

Well, it's either that or just chilling somewhere.

The Best Stuff I See/Max

CTM Berlin

Some Sort of Festival. 

CTM has it's grand opening night in WMF today. And until the 7Th of February things will happen around town.

They actually started yesterday but since today is the first weekend day it's now it is really gonna kick off in WMF. The festival is made up of art projects and music acts. Combined with club events. And being a festival, you do need a ticket. Well different types of tickets. Different events call for different tickets.

Another thing that is happening more and more in the Berlin clubs is fundraising night. Clubs are starting to give the proceeds from the bar and wardrobe to a charitable cause. This week two such events took place at different clubs. Is this a good thing? Hard to say. Is it really a clubs responsibility to raise money for charity.
Or is this merely a way of making more money in the future with a kinder and more serious image? It remains to be seen. But I do think that we will hear more phrases like -Come on! Have another drink! It's for a good cause.

Have a great weekend! See you all next week.

The Best Stuff I See/Max

HBC and Ichiban Karaoke.

Weekend in Berlin.

For us that are doing the Devils work the weekend is the time to forget about our jobs and take part in what the city of Berlin does best.

Finally it's Friday. Friday is weekend and weekend means clubs (and when the opportunity presents it self a WG-Party or two). Not having a WG-Party this time around the plan will be to hit the clubs. Some say that Friday is getting to be the number one night to go out. I don't agree. Finding a really good club tonight might get hard so my tip is to either go out of you comfort zone and hit a tourist joint.

Or you can go to the classic Kptn A Müller on Simon Dach Strasse. The place might be like most bars on this street but that doesn't matter when the beer is cheap and the people are open and up to no good. Spark up a conversation in the smoking room and if you're playing your cards right you might find the inside-info on where to go afterwards. If you can't figure that out there is always Karaoke, because not far from Kptn you have Ichiban Karaoke. Tonight they will be playing house but if that's not your style they always have Karaoke in it's true form. Think drunk dirty karaoke-bar.

Saturday has more to offer, the in-crowd will surly head over to PickNick or Villa. Villa is hosting the club Awesome with dj's like Surfing Leons and Disko DNA. (Remember at least one of those dj's if you want to get in). Villa is in a old building with high ceilings and many small rooms. Giving a spacious bit yet intimate feel to the place. Definitely worth a visit. And then we have HBC, located in the old Hungarian culture center it has it's own style. The fact that they also have a number of art project in the building makes it a one of a kind. I have heard only good things about HBC.

But as it should be you never really know where you end up. That's what so great about a city like this one. Hell, I think Berlin must have one of the highest number of Bars/Clubs per capita of any city in Europe. A good place to get lost in.

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The Dry Martini.

Classy Classic.

The most well known cocktail of them all. This one is for the pros.

This one is really simple to make, just take 5,5 cl of gin and mix it with 1,5 cl of dry vermouth, add a olive and you are done. Of course you should mix the gin and vermouth in a shaker with ice and then poor it in a chilled martini glass. That goes without saying.

Even if this is a very basic and simple drink, people take it very serious. I'm sure there are hundreds of dry martini clubs out there and they all know the perfect way of making the perfect dry martini. just like there are thousands of people who have a big bar all set up for the making of martinis.

The reason I post about this drink is because everybody should know about it and that it's one of the most stylish drinks you can drink. But the truth is that I don't like the taste. This is the type of drink I know I will enjoy when I'm 50. So until then I will enjoy other drinks but know that when I'm older I will be able to drink with real class.

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The Caipirinha.

Sweet and Sour.

The all time favorite of The Republic of Germany. This is what I think when someone says drinks.

I know what you're thinking, you're thinking that this is a summer drink. It is. I'm not saying anything against that, what I am saying is that in times of darkness and cold we need to be reminded about warmer times. We sometimes need to feel that there will be another summer. With that logic it's time for a Caipirinha.

This is how you do it. Cut half a lemon in four wedges. Put the lemon in a glass and poor 4 teaspoons of crystal sugar over the wedges. Use a muddle or a wooden spoon to press the lemon and sugar together. Poor crushed ice to the rim of the glass and then poor in 5 cl of cachaca. Stir and you're done. This is the original recipe, as it's served in Brazil. Here bars serve the drink with lime. That also tastes good, just make sure they use cachaca (the sugarcane spirit) and not something else.

The Caipirinha is so well liked here in Germany that it's gotten a nickname that is known to all, The Caipi. Because of it's popularity you can get it anywhere and often to a good prize. And since the Caipi is ordered a couple of times a night the bartender should have gotten the hang of it by now.

I really do need to be reminded that after winter comes spring so I'm definitely gonna enjoy a Caipi later on tonight.

Have a great weekend and don't hurt yourself under the influence of sugar and alcohol.

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The Bloody Mary.

A Drink and a Meal.

The red drink that brings the taste combination of vodka and tomato. Perfect for Friday the 13Th.

Another classic that will make any Friday a good one. Here goes. 4cl of vodka in a highball glass with ice. Fill up with tomato juice. Add one dash of celery salt,Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce and lemon/lime juice. Then if you like it a 1/8 of a tea spoon of horseradish. Garnish with a celery stalk and a lemon/lime wedge and you're all set.

The origin of this cocktail is disputed. Some say it was invented in the 20's in Paris and others say that this is a drink from New York. Either way it's a tasty drink. And as it contains tomato juice it also makes you full. It's like a snack or a small meal. That is probably why it's often used as a pick-me-up for the day after. Gets rid of the hangover and you don't have to eat breakfast. Perfect for the person on the go.

But a Bloody Mary is a drink that should be enjoyed in the evening. Don't be afraid, order it tonight and you might not need that 5pm french fries serving.

Tonight I'm going to the Sushi Club. The only question is if Sushi works well with Bloody Marys.

Have a great weekend! And remember that there is an entire world out there just waiting for you.

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The Gin and Tonic.

Drink it up.

6cl of gin. Ice. Tonic. And a lime wedge. So simple, it works every time.

This classic long drink is a drink that works every time. Weather it be in a expensive hotel or neighborhood bar. A Gin and Tonic will not break the rules of etiquette. Irregardless on where you are in this world there will always be a norm and a standard. In Berlin, beer is that norm. And normally it's the norm for all men to drink beer. But what if you don't like beer or you just don't feel like drinking beer one evening?

The long drink list can sometimes be to much. The strange names don't tell how it will look or how good it will taste. The solution is simple. Order a Gin and Tonic. Tastes good, looks good and it's sure to work.

Just leave it to the English to turn a cure for malaria into a drink that will always be in style. Back in India during the British colonization malaria was wide spread. Tonic contains quinine which helps against malaria. But the tonic at the time didn't taste so good so to help it go down they put some gin in the mix.

And it's because of the simplicity and the fact that 1800's high society created it that makes this one a classic. A classic that I plan to enjoy this evening and maybe even the evening after that. I dare say it's weekend in Berlin. Ta and Cheerio!

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The Digital Camera.

Party Camera.

That which is no documented, never happened. To make it live forever you need to take a picture.

This camera and it's docking station from Sony doesn't only take pictures. It has face recognition but also recognizes when you are smiling. The camera will actually wait to take the picture until the person in it is smiling. No more sad faces. It will look like your always having fun.

And soon there will be cameras that recognize faces and to whom they belong. You can then tell your camera that that's "Todd" and the camera will recognize him. Spooky.

But on this one the docking station also has a very nice feature. It can be uses as your private little party photographer. Just turn it on and the camera will automatically take pictures. It will turn and spin around just waiting for the best shot.

It's the perfect camera for party's. Because when your at a party the risk or better yet the chance of you getting drunk is high. Pictures taken when you're drunk are more fun when your actually taking them. The day after thing are seen in a different light. With a camera like the TX1 you really just need to point and shot. Even a monkey could do that.

Let's document when we all go Monkey Mad.

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Rug it out.

Perfect Fit.

"That rug really tied the room together. " The Dude.

And yes a Persian rug does tie a room together. It is amazing how this rug can look good in any home. Off course it's not going to change the room from one to another but in it's own way it will make the room look better.

Even if you have a fake, and most of the times you should get a fake. These rug's are often made by children in a country far away. A fake will more likly be a machine made rug. But it will still give a feeling of luxury. And it's always nice to rest your bare feet on the red and soft treads.

It fits very well with black and will go perfectly with the black leather couch and off course the red chair and the lamp.

My weekend has already started. A long one can make a lot of difference. Make the best of it and we will see each other on Monday with more...

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The Pre-Party

Get Ready.

The party before the party. Not something to be underestimated.

I so simple, just tell a few people that you're having a Pre-Party and before you know it there is a bunch of people talking and drinking in the living room. The true power of the Pre-Party is that it doesn't have any of the pressures that a normal Party or WG-Party might have. The people at a Pre-Party are more likely gonna be people you know or friends of friends. This fact creates a very relaxed environment. A place where a lot of good conversations take place. Or perhaps a nice drinking games.

It doesn't have to be a lot of people there for it to be good, after all it's "only" a Pre-Party. And just like the foundation is the most important thing for a house The Pre-Party is for a night of partying. The Pre-Party is truly the foundation on which great thing can be built. If you have a good time there what ever happens afterwards will surely be good.

So have a Pre-Party! Get some friends and friends of friends together. Have some nice conversations, drink some beer and listen to some music. And when the mood is on top hit the town. There's also the chance that the Pre-Party turns in to The Party. It has happened before and it's always bin fun.

Enjoy the weekend! The Best Stuff I See will be back on Monday with more good stuff. And remember that Berlin really is the place to be. See you out there...

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