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As a Japanese person living in Berlin, I have a soft spot for places that embody Japanese culture well. Exactly as Kissabodoes, and it was created by two Polish people. Culture travels well when it’s done so with care. Step inside and let the city fall away. Kissabo carries a nostalgic calm — unhurried, quiet, a little removed from everything outside. The name says it all: a blend of kissaten, the traditional Japanese neighbourhood café, and sabō, a space devoted to tea and stillness. This is not a place that performs; it simply is. Behind it are Gosia and Marcin, who discovered Japanese tea through years of travelling. What started as curiosity deepened into something closer to a philosophy — one rooted in craft, tradition, and the values that form around a bowl of tea. That philosophy takes shape at Kissabo. Matcha is made fresh, sourced directly from a trusted Japanese producer, and served in handcrafted vessels. Alongside it, Gyokuro, Genmaicha and Hojicha are brewed slowly, each with its own character.
For those who want to go deeper, a set matcha menu pairs three preparations with a selection of handmade sweets. The mochi is soft and delicately sweet — Daifuku filled with red bean paste and seasonal ingredients, Dango shaped from rice flour — made fresh and enjoyed with tea. A small menu of non-alcoholic, seasonal cocktails rounds things out for those in a different mood. The space itself is considered. Seats at the bar face the preparation, a larger communal table invites longer stays, and a tatami area offers a quiet space. On the shelves is a hand-picked selection of Japanese craft objects. Among them, tea caddies by Kaikado, the kind you want to pick up and hold. Things made to last, displayed without fuss. If you need a moment away from the city — and a quiet detour into another culture — this is where to go.
Text: Akiko Watanabe / Photos: Robyn Steffen
Kissabo, Kopenhagener Str.16, 10437 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map
@kissabo.berlin
Gyms are usually ruled by bros. Anyone who has ever set foot in a gym probably knows the feeling — I certainly do. You walk in and immediately feel out of place. Around me, there are guys on weight machines or standing in front of the mirror, sighing and grunting, usually a little too loudly, all following an unspoken choreography I don’t understand. And honestly, I don’t want to understand it. That’s how traditional gyms feel for me, for many women, and especially for many queer people. Which is why someone in Berlin set out to create a safe space for strength training for queer people: Queer Power Gym. Founder Eve has been strength training for twenty years and quickly realized that, as a nonbinary person, it’s easy to feel out of place in conventional gym environments. So they began offering personal training, and from there, the idea of creating a space of their own formed. At Queer Power Gym, it’s not just about squats or bench presses. From the moment you arrive, it’s clear people are welcome, addressed by name, with the correct pronouns, and with their individual goals in mind. Many come wanting to build strength in the traditional sense, others want to reduce pain, and others are there for gender-affirming training.
For some, that means building muscle in specific areas of the body, such as the arms or back. For others, it means training in a space where their bodies are not questioned — offered in the form of small group personal training. This format grew out of the original one-on-one sessions. While progress there was significant, the price was out of reach for many people. In small groups, much of that same individual attention can be maintained while making the training more accessible. Structure plays a central role, especially in the beginning, when many people feel lost in the gym among all the machines, routines and exercises. At Queer Power Gym, it’s clear from the start what to do. A reliable framework, group training and familiar faces help people build a routine. Queer circles, too, often stay within their own bubbles. People usually meet at the bar, not at the gym. At Eve’s, the LGBTQIA+ community mixes, and that is what makes it so special. Some people stay after training for a nonalcoholic beer at the Späti, while others come because they feel comfortable in the group. The project is still young. After a long search, Eve found a training space at Oranienplatz in Kreuzberg. Now, there is a space for strength that doesn’t feel intimidating. So, queers, let’s get to training. Finally, a gym where we don’t have to explain ourselves or prove ourselves before picking up a dumbbell.
Text: Inga Krumme / Photos: Evelyn Bastian
Queer Power Gym, Oranienstr.163, 10969 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
@queer.power.gym.berlin
Many of us know that moment… Full of anticipation, you pull your bike out of the shed and realize it’s seen better days. What you need is a helping hand, and preferably one not too far from home. Spoks, the Berlin bike workshop, is dedicated to getting bicycles back into shape quickly so you can fly through the streets of Berlin again in no time. With their bright blue storefronts, Spoks’ Berlin master workshops are hard to miss. There are three locations in total, which means you can drop off your bike in Schöneberg, Prenzlauer Berg or Charlottenburg without having to travel far. Founded in 2024 by Julian Stoß and Samuel Töpfer, Spoks specializes in road bikes, gravel bikes and cargo bikes, but works on all kinds of bicycles, true to the motto “all bikes are beautiful”. No matter which model you ride, simply book an appointment online. As soon as you wheel your bike through the door, it is checked with a trained eye, and a detailed digital inspection report shows exactly what needs attention. If you want a full checkup, choose between the basic bicycle inspection and the Spoks’ “Wie neu” option, depending on what your bike needs.
Or, opt for the “Professional Package”, especially suited to riders who spend a lot of time on their gravel bike or road bike. There are plenty of additional services, too. If your bike requires a deep clean, there is a premium bike wash on site. And if your chain could use some tlc, Spoks offers hot wax treatment, something that’s still relatively new for many riders but already part of the service here. The result is a chain that runs smoothly and stays that way. The team is also happy to help with more specific problems and individual requests. What runs through the entire process is a real passion for the craft and bikes. At the same time, Spoks makes bike maintenance feel more accessible through workshops that encourage riders to get hands-on and better understand their own bike. According to bicycle mechatronics technician and workshop leader Valentyna, that is where real confidence and enjoyment in riding begin. Interested? The next workshop takes place on 22.04.2026 at 18h and covers the essentials of road bike and gravel bike setup, including the headset, brakes, drivetrain, maintenance and cleaning. Whatever you decide in the end, the goal at Spoks is clear: to breathe new life into your bike, so you can get back in the saddle with confidence.
Text: Isabelle Marten / Photos: Mohit Amlani
Bautzener Str.31, 10829 Berlin–Schöneberg; map
Prenzlauer Allee 189, 10405 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map
Mommsenstr.16, 10629 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map
@spoks.de
April brings together things that don’t, at first, seem to belong together, yet make unbeatable pairings. Oysters and records, pottery without a plan, books at the pub, and chalk on your hands. Here are CC’s Calendar Tips for a weekend just the way we like it. In the mood for wine and records? Find both on Friday, 10.04.2026, at Coro, where Dauwd will be serving oysters with three different toppings, alongside music by Mary is on acid. Decadent and down to earth. One club you’re guaranteed to get into, unless it’s sold out, is Kleistone’s Pinch Pot Club. As the European Days of Arts and Crafts are celebrated this weekend, it’s two hours of clay and room to experiment on 10.04.2026 and 11.04.2026. No prior experience required and no traditional instruction, just fun and free-form creativity. There are small printed guides if you like. Firing and glazing happen later, and the pieces can be picked up afterward.
If you’ve already found your shape, maybe it’s time to find your favorite secondhand piece. On Saturday, 11.04.2026, Find Yours is celebrating its store opening, with a selection of consciously curated vintage pieces. There will also be free drinks and music. If the oysters are still sitting a little heavy, wash them down with a beer and a good book. On Saturday, 11.04.2026, Kneipenbüchertausch takes place at Alt-Berliner Bierstuben. Hosted by the people behind Auf ein Buch, it’s all about swapping books, talking about them, and taking new ones home. A pub quiz follows at 16h (signing up in advance is a good idea). For chalk on your hands and a little height, FLINTA* Night at Bouldergarten starts on Saturday, 11.04.2026, with a shared warm-up. After that, different sessions, from beginner bouldering and footwork to dyno and strength training. There’s also childcare and sauna infusions later in the evening. Sunday, 12.04.2026, is all about food and Neukölln. Paolo Pinkel is hosting Table Farrah for a one-day kitchen takeover, with lunch and dinner service. Expect a modern take on Mediterranean cooking with North African influences. In other words, everything you could possibly want.
Text: Emma Zylla / Photos: Robyn Steffen, Johanna Rademacher Flesland, Saeeda, Wild Lights
Coro, Reichenberger Str.61, 10999 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Oysters by Dauwd 10.04.2026 18h
@coroberlin
@maryisonacid
Kleistone, Katzbachstr.29, 10965 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Pinch Pot Club 10.–11.04.2026 14–16h. Book your spot here.
@kleistonestudio
Bouldergarten, Thiemannstr.1 Tor 4/2. HH, 12059 Berlin–Neukölln; map
FLINTA* Night 11.04.2026 from 16h
@bouldergarten
Find Yours, Pannierstr.28, 12047 Berlin–Neukölln; map
Store Opening 11.04.2026 15–20h
@findyoursinberlin
Alt-Berliner Bierstuben, Manfred-von-Richthofen-Str.17, 12101 Berlin–Tempelhof; map
Kneipenbüchertausch 11.04.2026 15–18h
@altberlinerbierstuben
@furorefelix
Paolo Pinkel, Karl-Marx-Str.55, 12043 Berlin–Neukölln; map
Kitchen Takeover 12.04.2026 12–15h, 18–22h. Reserve here.
@paolopinkelberlin
@table_farrah
Against a backdrop of concrete pillars and Spree views, Affordable Art Fair Berlin returns this spring, from 16.04.2026 to 19.04.2026. Set within the industrial architecture of Arena Berlin, more than 65 galleries will present contemporary works in painting, sculpture, printmaking and photography. The concept behind this internationally successful fair is deliberately simple: all works are priced between 100 and 10,000 euros. Prices are clearly displayed next to each piece. Starting an art collection suddenly feels like much less of an insider’s game. Alongside international artists, the fair also showcases local talent, with Berlin galleries including artnow Gallery, ATM Gallery Berlin and BBA Gallery. At the same time, galleries from places including Seoul, Osaka and Barcelona are making their way to the Spree. The fair’s supporting program is extensive. At the entrance, visitors are welcomed by Pool Painting, an immersive, site-specific installation by Berlin-based artist Christian Kera Hinz, inviting viewers to become part of the work themselves. On Friday, 17.04.2026, Late View extends the fair into the evening, with drinks and music included. Over the weekend, the atmosphere becomes more family-friendly. During Family Hours on Saturday and Sunday, there’s a children’s program and hands-on activities. There is also a particular focus on younger Berlin-based artists. The special exhibition, Emerging Artists, includes Solveig Schmid, whose large-format paintings create fields of tension through nuance, density and permeability, oscillating between color intensity and narrative openness. Over four days, the fair becomes less of a conventional sales platform and more an accessible journey through contemporary art, somewhere between discovery, conversation and the (perhaps spontaneous) decision to take a work home.
Text: Leo Sandmann / Photos: David Reinecke
Affordable Art Fair, Arena Berlin, Eichenstr.4, 12435 Berlin–Treptow-Köpenick; map
16.–19.04.2026: Get your tickets here.
@affordableartfairde
@ssoollvveeiigg
ANMELDUNG