Berlin 2

Pounding down the tree lined street in Friedrichshain we were keen to find some of those places mentioned in Ex Berliner magazine. Blackdoor beauty being one of them.

Blackdoor Beauty
Kopernlkusstr. 7a
Mon - Sat 10 till 8pm

Throw me up to the angels and I shall dance in heaven with them.. This place, for you freaks of jewellery out there was fucking fantastic. I can't even begin to tell you just how much I spent on one visit. We even got a discount because we bought so much. jewellery from all over the world, silver, natural fibres, piercing jewellery. Anything you want, I find it hard to believe you wouldn't find it here. The bloke who served us was a sweet young gay boy, happy to help and take time with two older birds who looked like they had just wandered into a sweet shop. Go if you can. But take cash with you, no one seems to like plastic in that there town!

ArtLiners
GartnerStrasse 23
10245 Berlin F'hain

An sexy bar with sofas and comfy chairs. A real laid back feel that forces you to feel calm even if you're buzzed at being in Berlin. Dave [customer/waiter - who knows] was happy to natter away in English and translate for the waitress. Great images of sexy women on the walls, but more than that they take pride in offering film nights and exhibitions. The next round for us in December is to go check out their Acoustic night on a Sunday evening. Live music for those into chilling out. Don't bother taking your credit card with you, make sure you have plenty of cash. Only the bigger places take CC's. It well worth remembering that. I even bumped into someone who had lived in the area of London where I grew up. Everyone's so friendly and ready to natter to you. It's a place you could certainly go alone.

I could ramble on, I could add much more, but I won't. Take yourself off to Berlin and see it for yourself. I'm telling you, you won't regret it. Cheap, colourful, seeped in history and all jumbled up with a cosmopolitan feel with a mix up of many different cultures and races. I'm off back there in December for the Christmas markets. I can't wait!

Flash - Naked Steel
Berlin – East Side Friedrichshain district

If you somehow find yourself at a loose end in Berlin and want to mark the time you’ve had, then you really – and I do mean really, need to pop in to FLASH. Friedrichshain area of Berlin hidden amongst the leafy streets on Mainzer Strasse you will find a cosy, welcoming tattooist and piercing studio called Flash & Naked Steel.

Imagine a tradition style black barbershop, sofas, magazines, and people popping in and out to have a chat, it’s more about the feel of the place than the loud chatter and dominoes hitting the deck. What I’m trying to say is, it’s welcoming and friendly, once over the thresh hold you know you’re in the right place. We strolled in on a whim and were welcomed into an ample designer bosom of tattooist's Eiva, Django, Andi and piercer Dirk.

Dirk Huckler owner of Naked Steel, is happy to show you his studio and talk you through the piercing procedure, he will even translate the agreement you need to sign before piercing, just so you know you’re not signing away your life. His studio is bright and airy. Piercing prices range from 48Euros. Ask Dirk to show you his portfolio. He has two. One for Mother’s and daughters who are just after the ‘popular’ piercing, and another ‘special’ portfolio, for those who are seeking something different and more, how shall I say… Diverse. Dirk is also an expert in scarification, he will happily show you his private portfolio if requested.

Now, I just happen to have a number of tattoos already. My favourite tattoo artist, Rodriguez in Portobello Road, designed the mass of work I have on my skin. I’ve had failed attempts at individual ones in the past without much thought of who I went to. Gone are the days of the Margate seaside tattooist, although they still have a certain charm in a ‘Sailor on leave’ kind of way and they still mark certain date in my life I wanted to remember. I’m hardly likely to promote a tattooist who can’t do the job. Django, Eiva and Andi, certainly know their art. Happy to take time and consider your design, the great majority of tattoos born out of Flash are originals and one off’s. All of the above have an individual talent and skill and will talk you through whatever you want, and whatever suits your skin.

Time, care and great detail are put into each design in this studio. Eiva, is one of the most amazing looking women let alone a talent unto herself. With the most fascinating fucked up dolly designs that every girl should have emblazoned onto her skin! Django is one of the sweetest, most gentle tattooist I’ve come across, agreed to my demands of 6 tiny hearts on my ear and although my ear was only the second one he had tattooed he was happy to design what I requested, right in front of me. We then giggled our way through each heart because of the awkward position’s we had to get into to complete the tattoo. Prices start from 50Euro and if you’re happy [and I know you will be] you should tip…. Yes I did say should, because these artists deserve more than they charge.

Andi is a perfectionist in his design, as they all are and will happily show you his original designs in his portfolio. If he doubles up on designs, he makes a note, so you can see if someone else will be walking around with the same tattoo. But you see, you won’t waltz into a party and see the same design on the bird from down the road, because they’re happy to alter or design anything you like. Every one becomes an original in itself. Go, go, go… You won’t regret it. I’ve just booked another trip to Berlin in December, I intend to get myself a fucked up Dolly for life!

http://www.roy-flash.com/main.swf

http://www.naked-steel.de/