The frustration with Berlin’s dating scene is what led the five founders of Sore Thumbs to begin organizing speed dating nights in 2022. Their events are intended as a fun – and crucially IRL – way to meet other singles in a safe and uplifting environment. Events are offered for three groups – FLINTA* (women, trans and non-binary people), hetero singles and queer men – with 15–20 participants at each event, mostly Gen Z to millennial. You get a 3-4 minute date with each participant before submitting the names of the people you liked to the organizers. If those you liked also felt a spark: it’s a match! Besides dating nights (which are donation-based and currently held at Fincan Neukölln) the group is also throwing a Queer Singles Summer Party at Gallery22 in Kreuzberg (02.08.2025, 20h–late) for a night of saucy bops and mingling with other singles. Awaiting you are DJs, giveaways, tarot readings and, who knows, maybe even a future love. As Carrie Bradshaw (might have) typed on her MacBook: in a city of jaded hearts, is romance making a return?

Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Samuel Efe

Sore Thumbs hosts regular speed dating nights – for more info and sign up see here. Next events: FLINTA* speed dating (19.07.2025), Queer Singles Summer Party (02.08), hetero speed dating (August), queer men speed dating (September).

@sorethumbsdating

Between culinary pop-ups, art markets, and collective reading sessions, the city is bursting with excitement. Tonight (10.07.2025), a three-day pop-up kicks off at Isla Coffee in Neukölln with the UK-based collective The Social Distortion. Traveling from northern England, the group brings a plant-based menu inspired by Thai street food, with a focus on zero waste and local ingredients. Menus are developed in collaboration with Berlin producers and paired with natural wine from Rocket Wine, plus beer and cocktails. Meals are served daily in two seatings – reservations via email. On Saturday (11.07.), our neighbors at Akkurat Café and Akkurat Studios celebrate their fourth anniversary with Wolff Jordan. Expect good drinks, (hopefully) sunshine, and sets by Tobgun Tunes and Fletchy Boy.

One day later (12.07.), the Summer KO Market returns to Haus der Statistik, offering exhibitions, workshops, and talks from 14–20h. Guided tours explore the site’s history, while the inner courtyard becomes a space for shared meals, discussions, and artistic production. The focus is on participatory formats that show how urban development, art, and self-organization intersect. The following weekend (18–20.07.2025), literature takes center stage. The African Book Festivalat Alte Münze explores “In Other Wor(l)ds” – a theme dedicated to African and Afro-diasporic authors who use horror, sci-fi, and fantasy to imagine new realities. Ghana is this year’s focus, with a program full of readings, talks, performances, and a book market. On 19.07.2025, another summer gathering unfolds in Friedrichshain – this time with fabric, prints, and jewelry. At the Summer Aperitif hosted by Esoraa and Valencia in Berlin at Mijas, you’ll find handmade bags, silk scarves, and jewelry, along with block printing and henna art. Super serves sangria and tapas, while Rasch Café keeps things cool with matcha and coffee. And with that, cheers to the next summer weekend!

Text: Sophie Doering / Photos: Esoraa, Florian Kroll, Jonas Michel, Haus der Statistik, Ruby Watt, ZUsammenKUNFT Berlin

Isla, Hermannstr.37, 12049 Berlin–Neukölln; map
The Social Distortion Pop-up Dinner 10.07.–13.10.2025, two sessions daily at 18h30 & 20h. RSVP via email hello@islaberlin.de.

@thesocialdistortion
@islacoffeeberlin

Akkurat Café, Besselstr.13, 12047 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
4th Anniversary Akkurat 11.07.2025 from 18h

@akkurat.cafe
@akkurat.studios
@buerowolffjordan

Haus der Statistik, Otto-Braun-Str.70-72, 10178 Berlin–Mitte; map
Sommer KO-Markt 12.07.2025 14–22h

@hausderstatistik

Alte Münze, Molkenmarkt 31, 10179 Berlin–Mitte; map
African Book Festival 18.–20.07.2025

@abfberlin
@alte_muenze

Mijas, Liegnitzer Str.34, 10247 Berlin–Friedrichshain; map
Summer Aperitif by Esoraa & Valencia in Berlin 19.07.2025 from 16h

@esoraa.official
@valenciainberlin