Jenny Valentish misses the train in Melbourne and Berlin, and doesn’t care…
Southern Cross Station, Melbourne:
Oh, lucky you. Tucked away on Little Collins Street (No. 582), mere steps from the lumpen food court of Southern Cross Station, lies Saint & Rogue, a bar abundant with nooks and crannies in which to bemoan your luck over a nice cocktail. The wood panelled walls are lined with dusty books, and there’s a fine restaurant upstairs.
www.saintandrogue.com.au
Ostbahnhof in East Berlin:
If you miss the last train home on Friday night, head to Berghain (Am Wriezener Bahnhof 1) — an imposing techno club which, with its associated Panorama Bar, will take care of you till Monday morning. Held in a converted electricity power station, it’s a legendarily hedonistic shindig… so don’t go down to the ‘dark room’ unless you’re really feeling lonely.
www.berghain.de
Hauptbahnhof in Berlin:
Central Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof is Europe’s largest train station, spread over two levels — which means you’ll spend so long looking for your train you’re bound to miss it. Never mind — art galleries are popping up all around it like daisies in an urban jungle. Nearby Hamburger Bahnhof (Invalidenstraße 50-51) was the old station, and now it’s a gallery featuring contemporary art from around the world, while Heidestrasse (Heidestrasse 46-52) has a series of small galleries for every taste.
www.hamburgerbahnhof.de
Do you have a great train station to recommend (worth missing a train for?) E-mail us your secret.
Photos: Justin Tabari Photo