Well, you can also be a "tourist" as a German visiting Berlin. And be treated as such.

I think speaking English in itself was never a problem to get in. But of course the tourist vibes get stronger if the person doesn't know the "definition of cool" that is expected and appreciated in that particular club.

Take this example [1] of a tourist they probably let in by accident and regretted it. :)

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy9GregPIA4

This checks out for 13 years ago. Not sure it's the same today.

There are clubs that forbid alcohol? That’s wild.

There are a lot of clubs that forbid alcohol in the US and Canada too.

Some of them are open for example only between 2am and 8am with a nice variety of other drugs available.

Clubs don't forbid alcohol. That was misleading hyperbole. Being visibly drunk at the door might reduce chances to get in, but clubs make a lot of money with drinks and the majority of people will buy drinks, even in clubs where illicit drugs are consumed.

Yeah, there are, or at least were, a few.

The thing about Berlin clubs is they care very strongly about the vibe and being cool, and/or protecting those deep in psychedlics or other stuff. Aggressive, drunk assholes ruin that so they are verboten in some spots. The bars are all happily stocked with non-alcoholic selections. It's not America where you need to make money at all costs fuck the consequences.

Note that these are the same places that will reputedly dump you out the back door if you overdo it or OD, take from that what you will.

Also, I think you underestimate just how much the party scene loves Club Mate over there. That is what we drank instead. It pairs really nicely with molly!

As a regular Berlin visitor I have never heard of a club that "forbids alcohol" let alone encourage illicit drug usage. It's actually quite the opposite – the clubs tend to actively discourage drug use (meaning searching for them at the door and kicking out everyone who is caught using).

Did you have a local taking you to undergrounds? Because these kinds of places don't really advertise at hostels.

The only difference with today would be that not speaking German no longer means that you are visiting. Boroughs such as Friedrichshain or Neukölln are full of expats, including young Americans who did not yet realize that they don't live in America anymore. Many people do indeed come for a few years to party their 20s away and move on with their lives into a different place, so they have no incentive in learning the local language.

I moved to Berlin to escape the political headaches in Poland while still being close to my family and friends, with no specific goal of partying here, as I've never liked clubs and dancing in general. But from hanging out with expats and sometimes joining them to themed parties in clubs, my takeout is that you have to spend a lot of money on clothing and appearance to show the bouncers that you really belong. Of course places like Berghain are completely random in that matter and the way you dress doesn't change anything (unless you really look like a tourist, I guess), but for most part it's a rich kids club.

Funny, for me it was like 30 euros at a thrift store and we were golden. I walked out with some really dope army-green tight Levi's, I still have those and I wish they still fit.