Kater Blau — Restaurant in Berlin

There is no Handbook. You'll need someone experienced to explain it to you, or better: invest the time and energy yourself. This is more a social experiment and definitely not a Disco. Know the difference. Very open, but also exclusive which means: not always radically inclusive! If it's full, it's full. No entrance guaranteed. Traffic lights🚦are obvious & you don't understand 🔴 vs 🟢 then: bye bye.

Inside: Behaviorist heaven and crazy paradise. You're encouraged to be yourself but there's a certain limit which changes depending on the day or event: What might pass on some days will not be tolerated on other days. It depends on the door shift,- they enforce a certain policy during some days/events and that policy will change with the next event/day. It is NOT the bouncer hating on you, but it is actually the policy of that night/event. Everybody deserves a "heute nicht" once in a while, and trust me, it's more to protect YOU than to protect what's inside.. Let that sink in.

If you don't know why you're there, what's waiting for you inside & what you bring, then maybe not today. Maybe never. Very limited space inside, maybe Sisyphos is a good choice, because Kater is tiny. Timetable is public, so make sure to know it!

As soon as you behave as if you're someone special that's also a instant nope from the door, no matter who you are or who you know. You're not special. Well, unless you're Forrest Gump. Toilet area is VERY carefully monitored, but they won't tell you, so don't do anything stupid or it might have been the last time you got in. Zero tolerance for harassment, racism, sexism, agism, etc. Leave all politics outside and don't wear your fav sports team trikot or scarf. Many of us who used to be there before it was cool are no longer here bc nobody gives a F about yesterday. We deeply care about the now-moment and about tomorrow.

Everybody is welcome, but behavior and manners are crucial. Every single detail is noticed! It's better to show up alone or in very small groups, do not come in hordes.

No asshattery allowed inside, on some days the tolerance is EXTREMELY low, you might get kicked out for carrying a pen for tagging or even for stickers! Also, no smoking inside (that includes the big Tent) because occasionally there's random checks for workplace-protection laws by Berlin authorities. Who will then shutdown the party. Definitely no smoking at the Bar, go outside or hide.

Friday & Saturday night is for everybody, Sunday is more for Staff & regulars. But still, you always should know why you're there. Single frustrated Men in Bluejeans and Black T-shirts but also noisy "drunk tourist"-like groups will get rejected frequently. You can even get rejected if you have a presale ticket or a guestlist spot! It's okay to be eccentric or generally confused, but do not make the mistake and confuse Kater with KitKat. That's a very different type of feline! Both are rather unamused if they're mistaken for the other and will hiss at you! The core at Kater is still kinda PUNK, so be careful calling people nazis online after you didn't get in that one time. And no, you don't HAVE TO speak German but behaving like a clichée plastic-brain asshat from that movie called XFactor is a red flag, no matter where you're from or what language you speak. If you're DEMANDING to be let in that's a clear no. Ask nicely and say WHY you are there and maybe it's a yes. Door is also watching you inside, big difference to other clubs.

Strictly no photos, and maybe consider switching off your phone? Don't waste time, the night is short. Thank me later.

Got bounced from Kitty and Berghain and bring with you that long face and frustrated attitude? Not a good idea to come here, you'll get bounced a third time in one night. And there's not that kind of Music for you! (Try RSO). Nobody cares about your money either, and tipping is to show your respect, not to flex or bribe. You can always enjoy yourself here with a much lower budget than elsewhere, especially if you are mindful and helping.

Kindness wins at the end....

Random door...

I went to this club 3 times in the last 4 months. All three times I had the same clothes on. But today I also was wearing a functional rain jacket. A jacket my mum gave to me, when I was a, student and could afford a new one. The door didn't like it and didn't let us in bc "we didn't look right". Guess I have to buy a new one...

We were an international group. My wife and her brother from Brazil and his partner from Tokio. We got rejected at 18.00 and nobody was there. They didn't understand what is going on. I told them we do not look right and that's why we didn't get in. They didn't understand it. Together we lived in NYC, Miami, Chicago, Sao Paulo, Río de Janeiro, Sydney, Tokio, Barcelona and Bilbao. We never heard something comparable. And everybody is looking at me, bc I'm German and a psychologist. They want to know how somebody can check us in 5sec and know that we are not right? I don't know any psycholigist/therapist how as this ability, but the doors of Berlin pretend they would know...

Ofc I write this review because I'm upset to be judged that fastly from somebody who is clearly not able to judge me (twice in high time its OK, once when it's still empty it's wrong bc of a jacket?), but that's not the only reason. Please as a club consider your position. You have all the power to judge your guest. The guest you want to be free. That's paradox. I can understand that a club wants to regulate what is going on and that's legit (even if it probably barley works), but give the people clear rules, tell them why they don't get in so they can at least try to be better. Don't just say you don't look right. I mean, if you say this sentence and truly belive you don't discriminate... I'm not sure if your are that good.... Tomorrow I have to work and will forget about it, but not everybodies life is working perfectly and specially for introverted people in unfortunate situation this can be highly depressing. So please try to create a transparent system.

Komisch Tür. Zweimal problemlos reingekommen, aber heute mit einer funktionalen Regenjacke.... Das ist eine zu extreme Charakterveränderung. Bin ja gleich ein anderer Mensch... Oder vlt wars au was anderes es heiß nämlich nur "You look wrong". Aus der Sicht eines Türstehers verständlich, ein Merkmal reicht um aussortieren zu können. Genauso entsteht aber auch Diskriminierung. Deswegen wäre ein transparentes System wünschenswert. Gerade aus soziologischer Sicht hat ein Klub eine gewisse Verantwortung und gerade in Berlin als progressive Stadt sollte nachvollziehen können, dass diese random Bewertungen nur...

I've just returned from my (ninth? something like that) visit to Kater, having lived in Berlin on and off for years. Before I went, I was feeling a bit apprehensive, I hadn't been in months and was generally socially anxious. I actually read many of the reviews here, some of which saddened me because of people being denied entry and feeling judged. Fortunately, I've never been turned away, but I empathize with those who have, and I also empathize with the doormen who are human too, trying to ensure a friendly and safe crowd and also being human, hungry squishy emotional humans that may have made mistakes and turned away well intentioned humans.

This review isn't about the door policy though, I'm sure lots of articles cover the topic of Berlin door culture. I just wanted to express my gratitude that a place like Kater Blau exists. I've been going through a tough time, and I decided to visit Kater alone. The line was short; I got in, grabbed a drink, and sat in the public common area. It's a nice space to relax, and beside it electronic sound rooms.

I ended up catching a friend's DJ set at the Acid Bogen room, reminding me how much I love Berlin. The way it's set up, I was practically in the DJ booth, with no clear separation between where the DJ starts and the dance floor begins. In other cities, obtuse areas separating customers from DJs are too common and is to me, saddening. It's so refreshing to see places like this that meld the two together, creating a communal vibe centered around music.

While dancing, I met a nice fellow, and we talked about being present with the music and how no one was on their phones (you're asked to put a sticker on your cameras upon entry). Coming home now, with the sun well risen, I'm grateful I made a friend. I find it sad how hard it is these days for adults to make new friends, yet there, on the blurred DJ/dance floor at Kater, I made a friend. We talked for a while about life and exchanged contact information. While I might still feel blue, I'm a bit better because a place like this exists, where people can connect with each other and music. Cheers to Kater. I plan on coming back. See you on the...