TIPSY BEAR

About the Project
Tipsy Bear opened in March 2019 as a safer space for the queer community. The queer bar and event venue in Prenzlauer Berg hosts drag shows, weekly karaoke, monthly quiz nights and other events.

Initial Situation
Live music at Tipsy Bear had to be severely restricted as part of an agreement reached with the surrounding neighborhood. Further soundproofing measures were needed to allow cabaret performances to take place again and to secure the continued operation of Tipsy Bear.
The walls and ceiling of the toilets were not soundproofed. There was also an old window leading to the courtyard. As a result, sound could be heard in the neighboring apartments and in the stairwell.
An expert report by the acoustics office K5 proposed various measures to improve sound insulation. The work focused mainly on the interior spaces. During the construction work, an additional report was prepared recommending further improvements.

Measures

1. Toilets and Rear Exit to the Stairwell
This area was identified as the largest source of sound. A second soundproof door was installed, and all walls and the ceiling were renewed. Two windows facing the courtyard were sealed.

2. Windows Facing the Rear Courtyard
The windows in Guest Room 2 and the Back Bar were soundproofed from the inside.

3. Office Wall and Windows
A sound-insulated shell was built around the office wall. A new sound-insulated window was also installed.

4. Side Exit to the Entrance Corridor
An old door was sealed. The ceiling and walls were also soundproofed.

5. Ceiling in Guest Room 1
A heat exchanger was removed, the ceiling was replaced and a gap between the ceiling and the windows was sealed.

6. Supporting Wall in Guest Room 1
A decoupled sound insulation shell was built around the supporting wall.

7. Sound System Limiter
After the construction work was completed, a limiter for the sound system was set and locked in accordance with TA Lärmschutz. The setting was approved by the Pankow district office.

Result
The measures significantly reduced conflicts with local residents. Permission to operate cabaret performances was granted again. According to the project report, this allows around 100 queer artists to perform at Tipsy Bear each month.
The funding provided by the Soundproofing Fund helped secure the continued existence of Tipsy Bear.