Clubs for techno parties and raves in Germany
Whenever I'm traveling outside of Germany and finally come out as German, the person I'm talking to says: You must like techno. Germany = home of techno with lots of techno lovers, is the conclusion many people come to. However, techno as a music genre doesn't actually originate here, but comes from Chicago and Detroit and is considered black music. Nevertheless, techno grew up in Germany in the 90s - thanks to the idea and feeling of freedom that took over the country in the post-reunification period. Clubs sprouted up and had to close down again, the scene was in constant flux, as was the development of the music - from funky techno to minimalist sounds to hard techno, it was all there.
It's almost impossible to compile a list of the top 10 techno clubs in Germany and tastes are so different. The classics are included, such as the "most famous disco in Berlin", Berghain, but we've also picked out a few little gems for you, such as IfZ - the Institute for the Future in Leipzig.
Why Berlin is the techno capital of Germany: The legendary techno scene in Berlin
When you say Berlin, you hear techno in the second sentence - the music genre is almost synonymous with the German capital. Why is the city on the Spree River considered a raver mecca? Berlin has always been a place-to-be for artists, whether David Bowie or and especially after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the united capital has offered plenty of scope for artistic development. The range of techno clubs is enormous, and you can find them all in Berlin: famous clubs, underground techno, alternative clubs. Berlin has a niche for everyone, but it is also so big that you can easily disappear and lose yourself in it. Nowhere else in Germany can you party through weekends like here.
A small selection of the hottest techno clubs in Berlin 👇
ClubBerghain
Surprise! Would a techno club list be complete without Berghain? Ei daut it! When you pass Germany's strictest door, you know you've made it 💪 ... and it's worth the wait!
Sisyphos
You probably know Sisyphos, because raves lasting for days are the standard program here. By embracing the idea of constant revival and endless partying, time really does feel endless - Sisyphus partying instead of Sisyphus working! 🤝
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10245 Berlin
The ://about blank is a club and collective of left-wing and non-commercial club culture in Berlin. The huge green garden and the club's various floors create the perfect rave ensemble for stomping out and relaxing.
Tresor
With its raw, industrial vibe and iconic cellar feeling, Tresor lets you immerse yourself in the roots of techno - here you can feel the real Berlin underground! ⛓
Alternative techno clubs in other major German cities
Of course, techno doesn't just take place in Berlin, whether in the famous & infamous club in Hamburg, the Uebel & Gefährlich or the artsy Blitz Club in Munich. Cologne also has a number of techno clubs: whether it's the hotspot club Bootshaus or Odonien, where DIY and techno fuse together, you can turn night into day to electronic music everywhere. Each club has its very own lovely details & special features ✨
VenueUebel und Gefährlich
The worst sets are particularly dangerous here 🥵 An old bunker with a wonderful view over St. Pauli is the perfect setting for your rave experience in Hamburg.
BLITZ Club
In the middle of the Museum Island in Munich, the BLITZ Club provides the finest electronic sounds. Here you can experience unique club nights - true to the motto: BE WHO YOU ARE! LOVE IS THE MESSAGE! 💞
Bootshaus
Cologne's biggest and probably best-known techno club! Here you will find the most famous headliners of the techno scene, who make the club shake.
Odonien
Odonien is a dream location for both indoor and outdoor raves! It's much more than just a club, because you'll be surrounded by art and sculptures everywhere. The highlight: the old bus on the Odonien grounds, which has been converted into a dance floor and is always a good shaker. 🚌
Techno throughout Germany: North, South, East, West
Techno clubs are everywhere! Like literally: E-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. There's bound to be a techno club near you. We have put together a small but fine selection of techno clubs in Lower Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony and NRW for you.
ClubMetro Club
Oldenburg's techno scene is rather small but really great! Even though Oldenburg may not be known as a techno metropolis, you should definitely pay a visit to the Metro Club, where you can expect varied music, creative drinks and an inviting outdoor area.
Lehmann
You will clearly find attention to detail at Lehmann in Stuttgart. The high ceilings, pillars and steel beams go hand in hand with the sophisticated light shows and the raw techno atmosphere. Here you can tell that every beat is designed with heart! 🖤
Hafen 49- OPEN AIR CLUB
68159 Mannheim
A summer must-visit right on the Neckar 🌞⚓ Perfect for sun, beats and dancing in the open air - and of course you can't miss the harbor festival that takes place here every year.
Institut fuer Zukunft I IfZ
04103 Leipzig
The IfZ in Leipzig is your spot for really good, progressive techno and bass. With a program of various event series and convincing line-ups, Leipzig is really mixed up here! 💿
Fusion Club
If you've ever been partying in Münster, you've probably been to Haverkamp! This club area is becoming increasingly well-known in the techno scene throughout Germany. Fusion in particular boasts the best line-ups and sound system in the city! 🔊
Tresor.West
The counterpart to Berlin's Tresor - a meeting place where movement and communication among young people with big and small visions is possible. Dortmund is continuing to establish itself in the techno scene and Tresor.West is definitely playing its part!
Conclusion: A look at the diverse techno club landscape in Germany
If you don't feel like partying now, you can read the article again. 😁
Whether Berlin, Leipzig or Dortmund - all clubs are characterized by a lot of love for music and the scene. In many cases, the raver scene is very conscious of its output and party culture. In many places, the scene speaks out clearly against any form of discrimination. It's about being free and feeling good in protected spaces, and above all about forgetting the time and escaping everyday life.
Frequently asked questions about techno clubs in Germany
1. what is the dress code for techno parties?
Most techno clubs are primarily concerned with making visitors feel comfortable. You often see people in black clothing, but as with techno in general, it's about living it up and being respected for who you are. Many people attach great importance to their outfit when celebrating techno and express themselves creatively.
To ensure that everyone feels comfortable, some techno clubs have a shirt policy, i.e. no one is allowed to dance shirtless, which is particularly about the idea of equality.
2. why do most techno clubs in Germany have a no photo or no camera policy?
When partying to techno, most people want to enjoy the music unobserved and without judgment. To ensure this, most techno clubs have a no camera policy.
3. what does "awareness" mean in techno clubs in Germany?
An awareness concept or even an awareness team is now an integral part of club culture in most techno clubs and at many raves. The idea is that you can turn to someone if you feel uncomfortable and discrimination in various forms leads to exclusion from the party.
4 What is the origin of technoculture?
The origins of techno lie in Detroit in the 1980s. A fusion of funk, disco, electro and futuristic sounds, inspired by Kraftwerk and the vision of a technological future, Detroit techno laid the foundations for the global techno scene. The sound was minimalist, mechanical and hypnotic, perfect for the emerging underground parties and raves. At the same time, the techno scene was growing in Europe, especially in the UK and Germany. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the capital became a central hotspot, with abandoned buildings providing the ideal backdrop for wild, unconventional raves. Detroit laid the foundation, but Europe contributed significantly to the further development and popularization of techno.
5. what do I have to consider when raving in techno clubs in Germany?
At raves, there are a few important things you should bear in mind in order to party safely and responsibly:
- Bleib hydriert: achte darauf, ausreichend zu trinken, besonders wenn du viel tanzt
- Achte auf deine Umgebung – Raves können intensive und chaotische Erlebnisse sein. Sei aufmerksam und respektiere die Grenzen anderer. Es geht darum, die Freiheit und den Spaß zu genießen, ohne jemanden zu stören oder in Gefahr zu bringen
- Sei offen, aber respektiere die Kultur – Raves sind Orte für Ausdruck und Kreativität. Zeige Respekt gegenüber der Musik, den Organisator:innen und anderen Teilnehmer:innen. Jede:r sollte sich sicher und willkommen fühlen
- Achte auf deine Gesundheit und Sicherheit – Wenn du dich unwohl fühlst oder etwas ungewöhnlich ist, zögere nicht, um Hilfe zu bitten oder den Veranstaltungsort zu verlassen. Dein Wohlbefinden sollte immer an erster Stelle stehen.