Welcome to the Renate universe
Next stop: Ostkreuz, berlin . When we get off the commuter train, we literally find ourselves in the middle of a field. Who would say that we are in one of the nerve centers of the Berlin night? There is movement, a lot of hustle and bustle of young people with beers and bottles of Club Mate in hand who enter dark streets and large avenues in the middle of nowhere. And a goal: Salon Zur Wilden Renate , an old house that could be your grandmother's. Or, rather, David Lynch's. Of course, between the chandeliers, the churrigueresque baseboards, the iron kitchens and the peeling wallpaper, there are 'only' DJs, techno music, acid house and, in short, the party of your life. Oh yeah, and a labyrinth “where to find yourself”.
Zur Wilden Renate It's not what it seems, like everything in Berlin. Upon arrival we only see a discreet wooden fence through which, without a doubt, we would pass by. Stand at 70 Alt Stralau, say " Hello! ” to the strong man at the door and enjoy. To the left, a small door reveals a giant inflatable pool , on the right, the lockers. From the front, a bucolic garden illuminated by the fire of several torches, two boats suspended from trees where you can rock while you rest with a Pilsner in your hand and a bar as a beach bar . This is a open-air , namely, take the bar to the street , the way of living the summer (and its last throes) in Berlin.
Lynch would have wanted it that way
To the right of the bar, the entrance to the Renate club; to the left, a mysterious door that reads 'Peristal Singum' guarded by Viviana 'Yo-No-Sé-Nada' (and this is how she will answer you if you ask her about the labyrinth): “I just know that you have to wait. The labyrinth will find you. There is beer, a garden, live music... Enjoy”.
That's what we decided to do: nothing. Let ourselves go, sit while we listen to Raum149 (a group of electronic psychedelia that that afternoon he did his live at the 'garten ' del Renate), chattering about the strangeness of the place, trying to attract the attention of the black cat that always walks around and, why not admit it, hide your nerves with barley. Two hours later, Viviana approaches, jumping, placing a 'Genie of the lamp' cap on the head of one of my companions: “You're next”. The game has started.
At intervals of half an hour, perhaps more, we enter the mysterious labyrinth, one by one. But first, the preparation: you have to get rid of everything , the mobile, the money, the jacket... Everything except the heavy golden coin with which to open the door to the unknown. My turn. Once "naked" and under the cool of the Berlin night, another of the members of the labyrinth team covers my eyes. He notices the tension and sings as he leads me. Before opening the door, a massage. My weak point. Relax almost immediately. He notices and sets me free: "Enjoy the trip!" .
The essence of Friedrichshain
From here, it is better not to reveal anything. Once your eyes get used to the dark and your ears get used to the industrial hammering, spatial effects and infinite echoes, you have to live it and let yourself go. Which way will you choose? The apparently easy route or the one that seems to be an impossible entrance? Will you opt for the dark side? For the most enlightened? If you reach the end having left paths unexplored, will you go back to explore it all? Perhaps, confusing you two, three, or even four times in choosing the path has been a success...
When you leave (because yes, don't worry, everyone leaves) the feeling is liberating. You only manage to say a “wow”, to clumsily articulate some other onomatopoeia. And you keep levitating. The tension and endless stimuli exhaust the mind and body, but they engage. Almost like the atmosphere of the Renate. We go out in search of food (hello! Currywurst !) to return to the starting point. This time, we leave the labyrinth of ** Karmanoia ** (the group of artists that run the installation) to indulge in underground techno in the different rooms of what will become our home that night, the Renate Club.
From here, each one builds his night, between room and room, floor and floor, dj and dj. We recommend trying the house beer (50 cents more expensive than the typical Pilsner Urquell) or the trendy drink among Berliners: Club Mate with Vodka . You will leave at dawn, the perfect time to have a pretzel for breakfast and catch the subway. If you get lost, nothing happens. You will find the exit. Or you'll go back to Renate looking for one.
The house beer is part of the experience
*** USEFUL ADDRESSES**
Sleep: Leaving Zur Wilden Renate and following the River Spree west along Stralauer Allee, you'll come across ** Nhow Hote ** l, perfect for music lovers (and somewhat deep pockets). A little further on, going up Warschauer Strasse you will come to Michelberger Hotel (if you don't stay the night, make a STOP to have a drink in their bar/cafeteria).
To procrastinate: Crossing the river over the Treptower Bridge you will reach Treptower Park , where to rest body and mind (in case of need) and also to Club der Visionaere (Take advantage now, since it will close shortly with the arrival of the cold), to welcome the new day on the banks of the Spree.
More information: Exit to the labyrinth is the documentary based on the Peristal Singum experience. Rather, in the reactions of those who have just experienced it.
Prices: admission to the venue is free until the opening of the club. The entrance to the labyrinth are €10 as is the entrance to the club.
*You may also be interested...
- Berlin Histrionics at Nhow Hotel
- The thousand and one fast food in Berlin
- Teufelsberg, David Lynch's mountain
- Everything you need to know about Berlin
- Berlin Guide
- All the articles of María F. Carballo
Renate comes to play