- 07 Dec 2008, 04:55
#1321732
By Quinn Van Valer-Campbell
One of my friends told me that "there is no gay people in Belgrade". Because of this attitude, the gay and lesbian community often does not feel welcome or even part of society here. However, there is one place that is helping to change the way of thinking.
No signs outside indicate that there is a club here under Branko's bridge, up several flights of stairs to the top floor of the building. It's in a renovated apartment, hence the name, and is open on Fridays and Saturdays.
The place doesn't try to fool you into thinking that it's a real apartment. Once you walk in, you can tell. It's devoid of any type of decor, for one thing, though each room is a little different. One has a bar, while another has couches and tables and a third is darker and more secluded. The biggest room houses the DJ booth and the dance floor.
True to form for Belgrade clubs, there's no point showing up before midnight. But once people arrive, the music gets louder, the braver ones dance and after a while, more join in and the dance floor is finally full of people enjoying the music and dancing with absolutely everyone. The rotating DJs play a variety of music, hip hop to alternative to techno and house staples.
So far, so much like a typical club in Belgrade. But the people who frequent it ar not girls in high heels with their muscle-bound boy-friends. And it is probably the only place where the lesbian and gay crowd is not only accepted but welcomed. The dance floor is not a place to show off, either. And while all kinds of couples are making out everywhere, no one cares or gives it a second thought. Once you step inside, the whole vibe of the club and the people gets under your skin.
I have gone twice with gay as well as straight friends and both times we had an incredible time. People are really there just to hang out and dance, not to find someone for the night or to impress others. So put on your uncomfortable heels and take your uptight attitude wherever you please, but if you want some real fun, go to Apartman.
The Belgrader, page 12, Friday, Nov. 21 - Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008
One of my friends told me that "there is no gay people in Belgrade". Because of this attitude, the gay and lesbian community often does not feel welcome or even part of society here. However, there is one place that is helping to change the way of thinking.
No signs outside indicate that there is a club here under Branko's bridge, up several flights of stairs to the top floor of the building. It's in a renovated apartment, hence the name, and is open on Fridays and Saturdays.
The place doesn't try to fool you into thinking that it's a real apartment. Once you walk in, you can tell. It's devoid of any type of decor, for one thing, though each room is a little different. One has a bar, while another has couches and tables and a third is darker and more secluded. The biggest room houses the DJ booth and the dance floor.
True to form for Belgrade clubs, there's no point showing up before midnight. But once people arrive, the music gets louder, the braver ones dance and after a while, more join in and the dance floor is finally full of people enjoying the music and dancing with absolutely everyone. The rotating DJs play a variety of music, hip hop to alternative to techno and house staples.
So far, so much like a typical club in Belgrade. But the people who frequent it ar not girls in high heels with their muscle-bound boy-friends. And it is probably the only place where the lesbian and gay crowd is not only accepted but welcomed. The dance floor is not a place to show off, either. And while all kinds of couples are making out everywhere, no one cares or gives it a second thought. Once you step inside, the whole vibe of the club and the people gets under your skin.
I have gone twice with gay as well as straight friends and both times we had an incredible time. People are really there just to hang out and dance, not to find someone for the night or to impress others. So put on your uncomfortable heels and take your uptight attitude wherever you please, but if you want some real fun, go to Apartman.
The Belgrader, page 12, Friday, Nov. 21 - Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008
