It was the first Christmas Day 1971 when Berlin was blessed with its “Loo III“. The other two – originally on Haupt- and Nestorstraße – have long since closed. Only the third relief establishment survived and has perhaps made a stronger impression on some Berlin visitors than Charlottenburg Palace or Museum Island. Because this pub, which one can most easily imagine as a mix between a ghost train and curiosity cabinet, is very popular with tourists, but also with very many Berliners who see the “Loo” as their regular pub. No wonder, 41 years, half a lifetime.

Entry to the restless little place is agonizing. Having gotten past the bouncer, you’re immediately hit by a jet of water, and hot air from the floor drives skirts to indecent heights. Right away on the right, terrariums with all kinds of gruesome creatures await potential screaming fits: a tarantula, an iguana, a boa constrictor. Last but not least, a – fortunately fake – exhibitionist rips open his coat and sticks his erect plastic thingamajig into the corridor. Inside it continues like this. There tables shoot up into the air, bar stools tip over, dolls thrash down from the ceiling with hammers onto guests’ heads.

There stalactites break down with hellish noise, lightning flashes through the venue, and in the loudspeaker someone pukes their soul out of their body. Many ideas for a rare “relief establishment”. Yes, not for nothing for 40 years!!!