A climbing gym dedicated exclusively to bouldering, Ostbloc is a great place in Berlin to practice…read moreclimbing technique. The problems are graded in some modified version of Fontainebleau (i.e. color-coded), which allows for less nuanced differentiation than the V scale. My personal interpretation of the grading system is as follows... Yellow- Similar to a VB grading. I would describe these problems as ladders. Blue- Maybe V0 to V1. Some technique for footwork and weight-shifting is useful if you'd like to climb with grace and as little strength as possible, but not necessary if your goal is just to finish. All the holds are huge, and I've seen some people use brute strength to finish these types of problems. There is also some volume climbing and top-out climbing here too. Green- Approximately V2 to V3. This is where the funs begins. Some are warmup routes. For others, the handholds get crimpy and smaller footholds require precision and balance. The variety of problems provide lots of technical practice. Even some problems with dyno moves! Red- V4 to V5. Very difficult. Expect to spend lots of time here. Grey and Black- There's supposed to be some differentiation between these, but I would lump them all as "Is it possible to climb these?!" Disclosure: I'm too intimidated to actually try. A single day pass is €10, and the 11er card for €100 looks like a decent deal. If I lived closer, the half year or annual subscriptions would be completely worth it. P.S. Lock rentals require a deposit of €5.

One of the coolest bouldering gyms I've ever been to. Great great training area. Cool music at just…read morethe right level. The problems are varied and challenging for all levels. They break the problems in 7 difficulty levels but really I think there's more like 4.. but who cares the important is that they are well marked. Holds are very clean considering the amount of traffic. I was there around noon on a Saturday and it was a good amount of people - enough to find people to work on problems with but not too many that you had to wait. Plus the place is super family friendly with a "kinderland" for the little ones. I will definitely go back when I am in Berlin. Thanks Ostbloc!

Magic Mountain has high walls, and a nice mix of material that include sport leads suitable for…read morelearning. The route setting is solid, with stuff that is difficult for reasons beyond being reachy/pumpy. I've been there fewer times than T-Hall, but would say it's clearly better. There's not much in the way of bouldering, though, so I wouldn't recommend going without a partner.

A nice big hall with lots of different routes starting at level 3. Staff are friendly and helpful…read more Bringing my own harness, belay and shoes I had to pay EUR14, which I would not call cheap. And if you have to rent equipment, the total price per visit is EUR20. There is a bonus scheme which is buy 10 get one free, essentially. Alternatively, the shortest available membership is for a period of 6 months.

In the winter it's freezing (so dress appropriately so you don't hurt yourself). There are NO…read moreheaters. In the summer it is sweltering. And all year long, it smells like feet. The idea of bouldering in a basement is cool but it's not practical I guess

No children allowed! Really?? - there could be so many ways to address them not wanting to have too…read moremany children there e.g. only children who can climb starting at x years old. This is only rude. I lefy on the spot and won't come back.

From the owner: Im Südbloc erwarten euch auf 1600qm Hallenfläche Boulder für jeden Anspruch. Egal ob blutiger…read moreAnfänger oder Hardmover mit Meisterschaftsambitionen - wir bieten euch in lichtdurchfluteter Atmosphäre im Süden Berlins vielfältige Bewegungsprobleme. Unsere Boulder sind nach einem bewährten Farbsystem in 5 Graden (plus Traversen) geschraubt. So findet ihr schnell und einfach die passende Kletterherausforderung. Ein freistehender 18-Meter-Doppeldachpilz, eine Boulderspeedwand, eine seperate Schulungswand und viele ungewöhnlich strukturierte Wandbereiche bieten dir Raumerfahrung und Abwechslung zum Bewegungsalltag. Komfortable, durchgehende 30 cm Niedersprungmatten erlauben euch ein angstfreies Bouldern. Kinder und Jugendliche können sich tagsüber in einen seperaten Hallenbereich austoben - natürlich auch unter Anleitung. Ausschließlich für Erwachsene haben wir dauerhaft einen anderen Hallenteil reserviert - so findet jeder sein Refugium im Südbloc.

Saturday afternoons are hell. Parents need to be supervised as they supervise their toddlers and…read morechildren on the second floor. Screaming, jumping off walls without looking, running around with their outdoor shoes, hopping over people who are stretching... Just utter nonsense. I have told them this in person several times but it hasn't changed. That's why this obnoxious yelp review. P.s. it's dusty in there. Sincerely, An Erzieherin