What is Berghain and why is it so famous?
Opened in 2004 on the border between the Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain districts, Berghain has long been known for its techno and minimal techno music scene. It’s just as celebrated for its queer-friendly rooms that are dedicated to sexual pleasure-seeking.
All of this has contributed to the Berlin club’s extreme and one-of-a-kind reputation that has travellers desperate to enter its front doors.
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Is it hard to get into?
Yes and no. While there are no clear rules on how to get into Berghain, you should think about a few things before you join the sometimes enormous queue.
The biggest thing? Give respect and consideration to Berghain’s culture and original intent: to provide a safe space for queer people to celebrate and indulge. If you’re there simply because it’s ‘cool’, to stare, or simply to tell your friends back home that you ‘got in’, you not only are less likely to be allowed entry, but you probably shouldn’t go in at all.
The rest is pretty self-explanatory. Get familiar with the music style and DJs that are playing that night. Don’t be drunk. Don’t enter in too large groups, Dress in a way that’s true to yourself, but nods to the club’s darker-coloured aesthetic. Learn a few German phrases to communicate with the bouncers. Stick to the awareness rules upon entry.
Got it? Then good luck (if you’re there for the right reasons, that is).
How much does Berghain entry cost?
Like many of Berlin’s clubs, Berghain entry has risen dramatically in recent years. Expect to pay around €25.
Generally, its open hours are Thursday 10 pm - 5 am, and 10 pm Friday to 6 am Monday. Check before you go.
What bars and other clubs are nearby?
If you’re looking for a few pre-Berghain activities, the RAW Gelände industrial complex, with its mix of bars, clubs and art spaces is just 15 minutes up the road. If you don’t get into Berghain, the riverside techno club Kater Blau is a 25-minute walk away, and the festival-themed Sisyphos Club is a 10-minute Uber.
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