Get In: The Ultimate Berlin Club Tour

The tour begins at SchwuZ, one of Berlin's most iconic LGBTQ+ clubs. Here, you’ll learn about the impact of the Berlin Wall on the city's nightlife and how Romy Haag, a trans pioneer, helped revolutionize the nightclub scene in the 1970s. You’ll hear how the gay community and clubs like Metropol set the stage for the Techno revolution that would later define Berlin. SchwuZ’s history is also deeply intertwined with activism, particularly during the AIDS crisis, and it remains a cultural hotspot for the LGBTQ+ community today.

Next, we’ll head to SO36, a club that embodies the spirit of West Berlin in the 1970s. We’ll discuss the economic struggles of the time, which helped shape the local club scene. SO36 became a hub for punk, feminism, and counterculture, and you’ll learn about the involvement of music legends like David Bowie and Iggy Pop. The club also played an important role in Berlin’s Turkish community and has diversified over the years, with events like Kreuzberg CSD and Mad & Disabled Pride. The club’s ongoing influence as a space of solidarity and inclusion continues today.

The tour continues with a visit to Tresor, a world-renowned techno club located in a former GDR power plant. We’ll explore the historical significance of clubs built in abandoned buildings after the fall of the Berlin Wall and how Tresor became a symbol of Berlin's techno movement. You’ll learn about the impact of Detroit’s Black techno DJs, who shaped the sound and culture of Berlin’s club scene, forever changing the global music landscape.

At the Kit Kat Club, you'll experience one of Berlin's most unique and provocative venues. While it has historical roots in Berlin's cabaret culture in the Roaring 1920s, today, it’s known for its bold approach to freedom and expression. The club is a haven for those exploring the boundaries of sexuality and identity, with a reputation for hosting avant-garde parties that challenge conventions. Whether it's the music, the atmosphere, or the club's diverse, open-minded crowd, Kit Kat continues to push the envelope, offering a space where anything goes—just like Berlin itself.

Next, we’ll visit the Club Commission, an organization dedicated to preserving the political and cultural role of Berlin's clubs. You’ll learn how Berlin’s nightclubs function as safer spaces for marginalized communities and how they’ve become centers of activism. From protests against the far-right AfD to support for LGBTQ+ rights, clubs in Berlin have long been at the heart of political and cultural movements, and the Club Commission continues to champion their importance as venues for artistic expression and social change.

The next stop is Kater Blau and Holzmarkt, an area fighting against gentrification and the loss of Berlin’s underground culture. We’ll discuss how these venues maintain their authenticity in a city increasingly dominated by commercial interests and explore their efforts to preserve the alternative spaces that make Berlin’s nightlife so unique. These clubs are at the forefront of a movement to protect Berlin’s creative community from the pressures of urban development.

At YAAM, you’ll learn about the role of the Black Caribbean community in Berlin's vibrant music scene, particularly the influence of reggae. YAAM has long been a space for cultural exchange and community building, and it also hosts initiatives aimed at promoting tolerance and youth empowerment. Discover how the club’s message of inclusion is reflected in its music, events, and advocacy for refugees and other marginalized groups.

Next, we’ll visit Berghain, the world-famous techno temple that has become an icon of Berlin’s nightlife. You’ll hear about the club’s history in a former bunker and its evolution into one of the most influential music venues in the world. We’ll discuss Berghain’s strict no-photo policy, which helps create a sense of freedom and anonymity on the dancefloor. The club is also known for its inclusive atmosphere, where sexual exploration and gender expression are celebrated, and we’ll discuss the influence of thinkers like Judith Butler and Michel Foucault on Berghain’s ethos. Learn how Berghain continues to push the boundaries of what a nightclub can be, offering a space for everyone to be themselves.

Finally, we’ll explore RAW Gelände, a sprawling site filled with clubs like Suicide Circus, Haubentaucher, and Astra Kulturhaus. The area has played a significant role in shaping Berlin’s alternative culture. We’ll discuss the impact of gentrification on RAW and other venues, the loss of clubs like Watergate and Grießmühle, and the struggles of other hotspots like ://aboutblank. This stop also highlights Berlin’s long history of open-air raves and how these events helped reclaim Berlin’s techno culture, which is still a driving force in the city’s nightlife today.