Anyone who hears kink thinks of Berlin. And anyone who says Berlin often thinks of kink. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, because of course the German capital has much more to offer than latex, sex and long nights. Still, Berlin has enjoyed a special reputation for decades, both within and beyond its borders. And it is no longer just about individual clubs like KitKat or Insomnia. What is far more interesting is the connection between kink and techno, queer culture and, surprisingly, even politics.
But why is that? Why has this city of all places become one of the most open in the world when it comes to sexuality, identity and self-determination?
These are exactly the questions explored in the tours led by Jeff, also known as Berlin Guide. He is one of the first to offer guided walks through Berlin that explicitly focus on kink, queer history and sexual culture. In September 2025, we joined one of these tours ourselves. By now you know from our format stress tests that we only recommend what we have tried firsthand.
Jeff and kinky Berlin: a journey into the past
Jeff is an author, activist, social scientist, speaker and sex educator. Above all, he is someone who knows the history of this city like few others. Walking through Berlin with him, it quickly becomes clear that many places hold far more than what meets the eye. Jeff talks about the progressive movements of the 1920s, when Berlin was already considered a hub for sexual and social experimentation. He speaks about Magnus Hirschfeld and the Institute for Sexual Science, about early queer bars and clubs like the legendary Eldorado, where conventional gender roles and identities were already being questioned.
The story does not end there, of course. Jeff also explains how these spaces were brutally destroyed during the Nazi era and how long it took for an open scene to re-emerge in Berlin. Only decades later, especially after the fall of the Wall, did the city once again become a magnet for artists, activists, free spirits and subcultures from around the world. Out of this mix grew a scene that is now internationally seen as a symbol of sexual freedom and self-determination.
The tours are therefore much more than classic city tours. They combine historical context with personal stories, cultural developments and the places where this subculture is still alive today. You hear about the people who shaped the scene, about political campaigns and their supporters and opponents, about debates surrounding events like Folsom Europe, and about the values that still define many spaces within Berlin’s scene today.
(c) Jeff Mannes / berlinguide.de
Kinky Berlin beyond clubs
The point is not to sensationalize or promise voyeuristic insights. It is about understanding the bigger picture. During the tour, you discover places where history, nightlife and social change intersect. Behind latex, leather and dark club spaces lies something more fundamental: a culture of respect, curiosity and the freedom to explore oneself.
Those who want to dive deeper can also join more intense formats, such as the tour “Kinky Taboos: Berlin After Dark” or “Kinky Taboos: Berlin’s Forbidden Desires“. As the names suggest, these focus even more on the past and present of Berlin’s BDSM scene. They also include visits to locations that are globally known, such as KitKat, Berghain, Lab.Oratory or Insomnia, exploring what shapes the identity of these clubs, as well as dedicated fetish venues and BDSM studios like Böse Buben, Fetish Clinic and Atrium.
Jeff himself has been active in the queer scene for many years in different roles, including as a writer for Siegessäule. His tours feel less like traditional guides and more like a shared process of decoding the city. Queer and trans perspectives are just as central as the question of how history, politics and subculture have come together to create a space that many still perceive as exceptionally open today. The tours are usually held in English, with German options available on request. All info and all tours are available at berlinguide.de and with the code DEVIANCE you even get 20 percent off!
