Increase Your Intellectual Power

There are hundreds of galleries and museums in Berlin and all of them house inspirational art and thought provoking cultural information but it can be overwhelming to know which ones are worthy of your precious time. The following is a short list of galleries that focus on modern art, where you can absorb some arty facts that you could use to impress people at parties.

The me Collector Room

Auguststrasse 68, Mitte

U8 Weimeisterstrasse

Tue-Sun 12-6pm

6€, 4€

www.me-berlin.com

The me Collector Room showcases a series of rotating exhibitions that celebrate collecting and the childlike passion it instils in all of us. From street art and designer Japanese toys to voodoo figurines, you and your hoarding tendencies will be sure to have a soft spot for this colourful and energetic space. The exhibits will have nothing on your collection of fish eye, lomography and polaroid cameras but it's worth a look anyway. The two story building, with high ceilings and wide floors takes only 45 minutes to an hour to explore, however there is an open plan cafe (with wifi) which is the perfect place to sip on a Latte Macchiato and review the gallery on your blog.

Hamburger Bahnhof

Invalidenstrasse 50-51, Mitte

Hauptbahnhof

Tues-Fri 10-6pm, Sat 11-8pm, Sun 11-6pm

12€

http://www.hamburgerbahnhof.de

Hamburger Bahnhof, an old railway station, turned modern art gallery is, somewhat suprisingly, in most guide books. With an entry price of 12€ and a constant flow of hipsters and arty-looking-types buying tickets, you'd expect a lot more than what this exhbition space has to offer. Admittedly the room with Warhol, Lichtenstein and Rauchenberg is fascinating but you have probably seen bigger and more impressive collections of Pop Art else where. The rest of the gallery is filled with works that make you wonder if and how it constitutes art, including a room filled with large, dull rocks and a collection of white chairs placed randomly in a hallway. Check the website for temporary exhibitions as they are often worth more attention than the rest, but you'd be better off visiting another gallery.

The Berlinische Gallery

Alte Jakobstrasse 124-128, Mitte

Wed-Mon 10am-6pm

8€, 4€

www.berlinischegalerie.de

If wanky modern art is your thing then you should go to Berlinische Gallery. It houses a variety of German art from the late 19^th century weaving it's way through the styles to the modern art of today. The first floor showcases the kind of beautifully obtruse art that no one understands, but you will no doubt be able to give everyone an in depth analysis of exactly how it comments on society. In addition to seemingly meaningless collages and tumblr-worthy light installations, the gallery often exhibits poignant political commentary that will have you writing letters to your local councillor as soon as you get the chance. If possible head down on the first Monday of the month when admission is half price and the space is rife with fellow amateur art critics donning DSLRs.

Motto

Skalitzer Strasse 68, Kreuzberg

U1 Schlesisches Tor

Mon-Sat 12-10pm

www.mottodistribution.com

In a quiet courtyard behind the Schlesisches Tor U-bahn station lies the quaint book and magazine store called Motto. This small, cramped space stocks shelf upon shelf of discontinued street magazines and art, photography and literature books. A hipster's dream come true, Motto is definitely worth a look to get some inspiration for that 'zine you've been working on. The staff are happy to help you locate that one issue with the poetic short story you can't get out of your head, or let you browse on your own. As a small chain, Motto also has stores in New York, Vancouver, London, Tokyo and now Melbourne but the Berlin store is the only one that stocks German as well as English publications. Check their website for upcoming events such as book readings and launch parties.

Hipsters Eat Too

Whether you're still doing your vegan thing, only eating raw organic products grown locally by midgets with one arm or you just want to fill that sensation of a gaping void of nothingness inside you Berlin has an ever growing range of eating options. Here are two that probably won't be in the other guide books.

The Bird
Falkplatz 5, Prenzlauer Berg
U2 Schonhauser Allee

Mon-Thurs 6-11pm, Fri 5pm-12am, Sat 12-12am, Sun 12-11pm

www.thebirdberlin.com

In 2006, a couple from New York realised Berlin lacked an authentic American burger joint and decided to open their own in the trendy district of Prenzlauer Berg. The staff at this steakhouse are probably more hipster than the clientele, with a mixture of visiting hipsters and burger loving Germans regularly coming in the door. You may have to wait for a table at this very popular restaurant, even if you made a reservation, but the English speaking staff will be sure to take care of you. The exposed brick walls, dim lighting and loud American tunes from the 50's up to ironically played mainstream hip hop of today, makes The Bird a chaotic but cosy place to enjoy a meal. The bar is decorated with redneck bumper stickers such as “If it's called tourist season, why can't I shoot them?” and sorely missed PBR logos. The burger prices are a little steep at about 12€, but you easily get your money's worth. The gargantuan beef patties (imported from Iowa) are accompanied by a choice of blue cheese, orange American cheddar or bacon and are reminiscent of a true New York burger, served of course, with a mountain of fries and a pickle. However, the greasy hunk of the best burger mince in Berlin is sandwiched in between an inappropriately sized English muffin. Upon arrival of your beast of a burger you will be given a roll of paper towels and frowned upon if you don't use your hands; a worthy challenge for any burger enthusiast, but it is likely to leave you feeling like you need a shower once your plate is empty. American expats or those of you who have spent the obligatory exchange semester at Penn State or U-Dub are especially encouraged to go to this ironically redneck restaurant and have a nostalgic night about The States. You can even get a tap beer to go, and pretend you're back on Frenchmen St in New Orleans while you nurse your burger belly.

Mundvoll
Waldermarstraße 48, Kreuzberg

U1/U8 Kottbusser Tor

daily 10am-1am
On the corner of Waldermarstraße and Adalbertstraße lies the newly opened cafe whose exterior walls are adorned with worn pine crates and flowers. Unless you dine at Mundvoll you are unlikely to see the name of the establishment, and as such the restaurant is commonly referred to as The Cafe With No Name. The elusive title directly translates as “mouthful” which is something every foodie should sample from this restaurant. The main menu offers exquisite dishes such as beetroot crepes, barbecued chicken and a special that changes daily. While bare and minimalistic yet rustic on the inside, Mundvoll creates a pleasant dining experience at any time of the day. The attractive and trendy waiters will be sure to look after you, as they will treat you how you feel you should be treated, waiting for you to finish your wine glass before topping it up for you. During the day and night, the rickety tables outside are almost always occupied by classic hipsters enjoying a vegan salad and swapping poetry or reading Nietzsche.