Berghain

About Berghain

Berghain is Berlin's most famous techno nightclub and has been called the world capital of techno since its opening in 2004. Founded by Michael Teufele and Norbert Thormann, the club evolved from their previous venues including the influential gay club Ostgut, which operated from 1998-2003 in a former train repair facility. Located near the border between Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain in a former East German power plant, Berghain created a distinctive industrial atmosphere that became central to its identity. The club features a techno-focused main room with a state-of-the-art Funktion-One sound system, the house music-oriented Panorama Bar upstairs, and a seasonal outdoor garden. In 2016, a German court officially designated Berghain as a cultural institution, allowing it to pay reduced tax rates and underscoring its importance to Berlin's cultural landscape. The club is renowned for its extended weekend hours (opening Friday night and potentially running until Monday morning), strict and selective door policy, diverse queer culture, and privacy-focused environment where phones cameras are covered with stickers. Berghain's influence extends beyond nightlife through its former Ostgut Ton record label (2005-2021) and Ostgut Booking agency (2007-2022), which became influential in the global dance music scene. According to the Berlin Club Commission, techno tourism draws more than 3 million people to Berlin annually, with Berghain serving as a major international draw. The club represents Berlin's unique position as a techno capital, benefiting from laws that allow clubs to never close and the city's cultural openness to electronic music experimentation.