Berlin is probably one of the most exciting cities when it comes to hip clubs. The capital’s techno scene in particular is legendary, but numerous other music genres and styles are also represented in great variety. Berlin’s best clubs and nightlife offer you the opportunity to party and provide a large selection of impressive and varied locations.
The emergence of the Berlin club scene
The development of the club scene in Berlin is complex, exciting and has always been highly political. The first heyday was in the 1920s. Cabarets, bars and dance clubs were a point of contact for an international audience, until the National Socialist era brought it to a rapid end. A second phase developed from the 1960s onwards, particularly in the west of the city. At that time, Berlin’s best disco was the Eden Playboy Club. The widely known Eispalast also became one of the most relevant venues. After the fall of the Wall, the third phase began, which was also a turning point. An extensive underground scene made use of the numerous empty halls and cellars and gradually established Berlin’s techno and club culture. Planet and Tresor were among the central clubs. As time went on, Berlin’s best clubs became more and more professional. Underground locations developed into permanent venues and many other styles emerged alongside the established techno scene.
Best techno clubs in Berlin
There are now many good clubs in Berlin. A number of them have achieved international fame and left a lasting mark on the club scene. Since 2024, Berlin’s techno culture has been part of UNESCO’s intangible national cultural heritage and is therefore considered a cultural asset. We introduce you to the city’s most important clubs.
Watergate
Watergate is one of the oldest techno clubs in Berlin. The name says it all. The club is located in Kreuzberg, right on the Spree. The architecture is impressive and you can look out through the glass directly onto the water while dancing. The club has two large dance floors, known as Waterfloor and Mainfloor, as well as an LED wall with a width of 12 meters. In addition to techno, there is also funk and house here.
Berghain
When visiting Berghain, located in Friedrichshain, you should be prepared for a long queue and clear rules at the door. Getting in is a challenge, but once you’ve made it, you’ll be in a unique place with art installations and dark rooms. Berghain primarily plays techno for you, but also house and deep house.
KitKat
The popular KitKat club is located in Kreuzberg and is not only known for its techno music, but also for its permissiveness and fetish openness. The overall atmosphere is very relaxed and informal. A variety of sex-positive parties with extremely creative outfits take place here. If you would like to get to know other people in Berlin’s nightlife and don’t mind sexual contact, KitKat is the club for you. The motto is always: anything goes, nothing must. Respectful interaction is essential.
Revier Südost
In the Niederschöneweide district, Revier Südost is located in a former brewery that has not been used for 25 years and has developed a corresponding lost place character. An impressive techno location has been created on the site, offering you two indoor dance floors and one outside. Electronic music, especially techno, is the name of the game at RSO.
Kater Blau
The Kater Blau club is located in the Holzmarkt district on the Spree in Friedrichshain. In addition to the large indoor techno dance floor, there is a spectacular outdoor area with various wooden terraces and its own boat dock. The door policy is as strict as everywhere else, but the crowd is above all individual and casual. In addition to techno parties, there are regular cultural events, especially theater performances.
Wild Renate
Wilde Renate is a club with a living room atmosphere. The winding house in Friedrichshain has several dance floors and plenty of cozy retreats. The location is known for its crazy theme parties and not only stands for techno, but also for regular cultural events.
Ritter Butzke
The club is named after its address, Ritterstraße in Kreuzberg. There are several floors and a large covered outdoor area in the inner courtyard. Although it primarily plays techno, it also hosts hip-hop and pop, regular concerts and poetry slams. The door policy is more relaxed than in many other clubs. However, it is helpful if your style is as individual as possible to get in.
Best clubs in Berlin beyond techno
Techno is one of the best things Berlin’s club scene has to offer. However, there are also venues that largely manage without electronic music and are also among the biggest crowd pullers.
SO36
The left-wing alternative music scene meets in Kreuzberg’s SO36. The club gained fame in the 1970s and 1980s with performances by the best punk bands, including Die Ärzte and Die Toten Hosen. Punk rock is still at the heart of SO36 today, but the styles have long since become far more diverse. You can dance to indie, hip-hop, alternative and electro here. The regular special events, such as the roller skate disco or the Gayhane oriental party, are also very popular.
The Yorckschlösschen
This Kreuzberg club with its unique cozy pub atmosphere is considered the most important address for fans of jazz and blues. Here you can enjoy pretty much every style of jazz there is, from Dixieland to modern jazz. The program is extremely varied and also includes funk and soul. The Yorckschlösschen places great emphasis on promoting young talent, with many young musicians finding their first audience here.
Alte Kantine
In the middle of Prenzlauer Berg is the Alte Kantine club, which covers a broad spectrum of musical genres. Here you can find the top rock and pop classics from the 1980s and 1990s, as well as the charts from the last few decades. Independent and hip-hop as well as mixed genres are also included. The club’s motto: the main thing is that the music is danceable. The DJ accepts music requests.
Frannz
The Frannz Club is located in the Prenzlauer Berg district on the grounds of the Kulturbrauerei. The music on offer is extremely wide-ranging, with the latest charts as well as rock and pop classics, house and funk, electro and soul. There are well-known party series including singles parties and events organized by the radio station StarFM. The age of the audience ranges from just of age to well over 50.
Berlin’s LGBTIQ* club culture
Berlin offers you a very diverse LGBTIQ* club scene that is open to the respective community and allies. The clubs stand for diversity and a creative range of parties with very different themes and music styles.
Connection Club
The Connection Club, which focuses on electronic music, is located in Schöneberg. It is one of the oldest gay clubs in the city, which has used the time of the pandemic for a complete makeover and has an opulent lounge area in addition to a dance floor and speed bars.
SchwuZ
Located in Neukölln, SchwuZ is one of the largest and best-known queer clubs. Here you will find several dance floors and regular events with performances by prominent drag queens. Not only gays are welcome guests here, but the entire LGBTIQ* community parties to disco, electro, pop and rock at SchwuZ.
Busche
Busche is open to LGBTIQ* and friends and is located on Warschauer Platz in Friedrichshain. The music genre is broad and ranges from the hits of the 1980s and 1990s to the current charts. Pop hits are also played regularly.
