HIDDEN PLACES - ORCO Germany

D _CHINA CLUB BErLIN · Adlon-Palais · Behrenstr. 72 · 10119 Berlin · Tel.: +49 30 20 91 20 · www.chinaclubberlin.de
_MÜNZSALON e.V. · Münzstrasse 23 · 10178 Berlin · Tel: +49 30 28 09 68 07 · www.muenzsalon.net
»I wouldn‘t dream of belonging to a club that would accept me as
a member.« Groucho Marx
you can quickly start up a conversation and it can even be finished without any
problems without constantly being jostled or having to shout at the top of your
voice because the music is too loud.
Admittedly, I think the unisex toilets take some getting used to. But apart from this
small thing the Münzsalon has really widened my horizons and is definitely an in-
spired alternative to spending the evening in the hotel bar or in front of the televi-
sion at home.
For a handful of shrimps. When I got an invitation from a major watch manufac-
turer to the elite China Club Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate, I didn‘t hesitate. Since
it was founded in 2003, the club, located in a building at the back of the Adlon Hotel
has been the place to go for Berlin high society. You only become a member by
recommendation and paying a membership fee of an unknown amount. As could
be expected from an invitation from a luxury brand, the evening began with pink
champagne as an entrée. The atmosphere of the two-storey club has a somewhat
gloomy, outdated effect on me. But this matches the target group exactly, antiques,
fine wood floors, carvings. When I look round for a second time I am struck by all
the paintings on the walls. The works are a mixture of different epochs, styles and
techniques and all refer to China. Each one of them and above all the dialogue that
takes place between them before the viewer‘s eyes is entertaining and fascinating.
Meanwhile, the evening follows a traditional pattern: Introduction (with canapés),
aperitifs, seated dinner. What could the organiser have chosen as more suitable
Konversation gegeben. Man kommt also schnell ins Gespräch
und kann dieses sogar ungestört zu Ende führen,
ohne dauernd angerempelt oder durch zu laute Musik an
die Grenzen der eigenen Stimme zu gelangen.
Zugegeben, die Unisex-Toilette halte ich für gewöhnungsbedürftig.
Aber abgesehen von dieser Kleinigkeit ist der
Münzsalon eine wirkliche Bereicherung meines Horizonts
und definitiv eine gelungene Alternative zum Abend an der
Hotelbar oder vor dem heimischen Fernseher.
Für eine Hand voll Garnelen. Als mich die Einladung eines
großen Uhrenherstellers in den elitären China Club Berlin
am Brandenburger Tor erreicht, gibt es kein Zögern. Seit
seiner Gründung im Jahr 2003 ist der im Rückgebäude des
Adlon Hotels befindliche Club so etwas wie das Nonplusultra
der Berliner High Society. Mitglied wird man nur auf
Empfehlung und Entrichtung eines Mitgliedsbeitrages in
unbekannter Höhe. Der Einladung einer Luxusmarke entsprechend,
beginnt der Abend mit Roséchampagner als
Entree. Das Ambiente des zweistöckigen Clubs wirkt auf
mich etwas düster und altbacken. Was ja aber durchaus zur
than Chinese food? The meal, I must confess, is magnifi-
cent. The people on my table are disconcerting. Just like
on a package tour the plates are laden with the most obvi-
ous delicacies. Anyone who buys a watch for more than
EUR 50,000 can surely treat themselves to shrimps?
With the obligatory drink and cigar the evening draws to a
close. You wonder whether there‘s a conclusion?
The creators have succeeded in making a harmonious
atmosphere that is thoroughly stimulating and cosy. The
furnishings are exclusive. The service leaves nothing to be
desired. But the elite sanctimoniousness around the club
and the associated social territorial behaviour are not really
to my taste. I doubt that I would ever become a member
here. Because I think just like Groucho Marx: “I wouldn‘t
dream of belonging to a club that would accept me as a
member.”