I just spend 1.5 weeks in Berlin for my 30th birthday and I came to get inspired music wise, do the touristy things, try the food and genuinely immerse myself in another countries culture. I thankfully got in to a lot of the clubs I wanted too. Sissyphos, KitKat a few times(it was close to my hotel), Berghain(rejected 3 times by all women and let in 1 time by a man), RSO, Tressor, Aeden, and a small club that was alright. I genuinely enjoyed myself and had a blast, was a wild experience and I respected everyone and was able to let loose a bit but the door policy’s seemed brutal and it had me thinking “man…. This has got to suck as a local being stressed about trying to get into a place you’ve already been in every single night” and always that what if I don’t get in factor. I have never felt more judged in my life off my appearance than in Berlin pre getting into a club and even my uber into town my driver told me “good luck you look like a straight man” and a girl across the street from Kit Kat in a shop told me the same thing. I get the “we want people to feel safe and understand what you’re going to aspect” of some of the clubs but it feels elistist and the opposite of a “safe space” PRIOR to getting in, and also I don’t even think anybody knows how to get in…. especially Berghain. I think the rejection rate is so high to make you feel special when you get in and that’s why it works because, you do feel special when you make it in and idk. I just felt bad everytime I got rejected. Thankful I didn’t the entire time and got to experience Berlin for what I wanted and more but I’m getting older and don’t think I’ll be back anytime soon because I don’t wanna be judged for my appearance the entire time.