Clubs for techno parties and raves in Germany
The only thing more infamous than the queue outside Berghain is techno itself. The music genre is an integral part of German club culture and people party to electronic beats over 20 million times a year in techno clubs, at festivals and raves. Incidentally, this figure is only a rough estimate (for dramatic effect). The fact is, techno has plenty of fans and therefore deserves a lot of space in the party culture of German cities.
However, techno as a music genre did not actually originate here, but comes from Chicago and Detroit in the early 80s. It was there that African-American artists laid the foundations for what we call techno today. They mixed electronic sounds with influences from funk, house, electro and futuristic sci-fi visions - and the result was a completely new, machine-like, hypnotic sound. Crazy, right?
In the late 80s, techno spilled over into Europe and Germany. Especially after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a huge subculture emerged in Berlin, in which the genre's sense of freedom was rooted. Others might argue that techno laid the foundations for German techno in Düsseldorf with artists like Kraftwerk and NEU! In any case, what came out in the end was a nationwide following for techno. And what do revelers need? A place to party, of course!
Techno clubs sprang up in the 90s, some had to close again, the scene was in constant flux, as was the development of the music - from funky techno to minimalist sounds to hard techno, everything was there and represented in the country's clubs.
With all this choice, we'll be happy to help you find the best places to dance the night away or which club you simply have to see from the inside. From veterans of the scene like Berghain or Tresor to techno gems like the Open Ground Club in Wuppertal, there's guaranteed to be something for you!
Why Berlin is the techno capital of Germany: The legendary techno scene in Berlin
The techno scene in Berlin is almost as famous as the Brandenburg Gate (well, almost). Why is the city on the Spree considered a raver mecca? Berlin has always been an interesting place for artists, whether David Bowie or Harry Styles (i see you cruising through Friedrichshain on an e-bike👀). Especially after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the united capital offered plenty of scope for artistic development. The unique mixture of freedom, artistic expression and a special sound has made Berlin a global center for techno. The range of techno clubs is enormous, and you can find them all in Berlin: world-famous clubs, underground techno, alternative clubs. Berlin has a niche for everyone, but it's also so big that you can easily disappear and lose yourself in it. Nowhere else in Germany can you party through weekends as well as here. To make your decision easier, here is a small selection of techno clubs in Berlin from us👇
ClubBerghain
Surprise! Would a techno club list be complete without Berghain? Ei daut it! When you walk past Germany's strictest door, you know you've made it 💪 ... and it's worth the wait: dark, industrial rooms, legendary dance floors and a feeling of collective community while partying. That's exactly why it's so "hard" to get in here. Join the vibe and you're in!
Sisyphos
No, not the one from Greek mythology. Sisyphus is a club and raves lasting for days are the standard program here. By taking up the idea of constant resurgence 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. The music takes center stage here, with experimental techno sets that put guests in a trance-like state, while the freedom and sense of community make the parties an unforgettable experience. 🪩🌱
Tresor
With its raw, industrial vibe and iconic basement feel, Tresor is where you can immerse yourself in the roots of techno - here you can feel the real Berlin underground! ⛓ But beware, Berghain is not the only club with a hard door. It's not called Tresor for nothing!
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
Partying at Übel & Gefährlich in Hamburg's St. Pauli district means diving into the night in a former air raid shelter with thick concrete walls and a rough atmosphere. Here you can mingle with the inclusive crowd and feel free for the whole evening!
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! 💞With its extraordinary sound concept (did someone say 360-degree sound architecture?!) and intimate atmosphere, the club is an absolute must for techno fans looking for a unique listening experience.
Bootshaus
This club in Cologne should not be an insider tip, as it is always in the top ranks in rankings, whether in Europe or worldwide. Several dance floors, an excellent sound system and a DJ line-up of national and international artists that is well worth seeing and, above all, hearing!
Odonien
A club with a unique charm and THE club for alternative partying in Cologne. With its connection to art and culture, Odonien creates a unique atmosphere and stands for openness and diversity. Between metal sculptures, you can turn night into day or simply dance until the sun rises. The highlight: the old bus on the grounds of Odonia, which has been converted into a dance floor and is always a good shaker. 🚌 The grounds are also sometimes used for flea markets & co.
Techno clubs throughout Germany
Techno is not pushy, flashy or chic. That's exactly why it makes sense not to only look for cool techno clubs in cities with millions of inhabitants! You don't have to venture into Berlin's underground to experience a legendary evening of really good music. We have put together a small but fine selection of techno clubs in Lower Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony and NRW for you. Whether at the pulse of time in the Open Ground in Wuppertal or in the legendary Hawerkamp in Münster: this is where the true techno spirit is celebrated!
ClubOpen Ground
The club in Wuppertal that Berliners are jealous of. An absolute diamond in Wuppertal's otherwise mainstream party culture. Not just a place to party, but also a creative space for encounters, culture and subculture. Electronic music, community spirit and DIY charm come together in the bunker. Also worth a visit! Seven meters down is the club that everyone is talking about!
Metro Club
The Metro Club in Oldenburg is a real subculture institution - it has been shaping the club scene with a mix of electronic music, indie, wave and hip-hop since 1983. The club has an informal atmosphere, creative events and a clear commitment to diversity: not only do people party here, but they also discuss, exhibit and try things out - from theater projects to workshops. But it's still the best place to party! 🫵🏼
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! 🖤 The club's unique selling point is its uncompromising focus on high-quality techno and its close connection to the international club scene. Added to this is the special sound system (Funktion-One!), which regularly attracts techno lovers from all over Germany. The focus here is really on the music - no frills, just pure rave.❤️🔥
Hafen 49- OPEN AIR CLUB
68159 Mannheim
The Hafen 49 Club delights with electronic music in the middle of an urban harbor setting - sand underfoot, sunset included. The relaxed atmosphere, paired with top DJs and festival vibes in the middle of the city, makes it one of the most extraordinary open-air spots in Germany. The harbor festival takes place here every year, which of course you can't miss.☀️
Fusion Club
The Hawekamp in Münster is well known in the techno scene. Fusion in particular boasts the best line-ups and sound system in the city! 🔊The club is located in a former industrial hall from the 1920s and is one of the oldest electronic music venues in Germany. With over 70 events a year, including the Dockland Festival, the Fusion Club attracts techno fans from all over the country (and the world).
Axxon N.
The new club of the Leipzig techno scene with the concept of creating a safer space for marginalized groups and a place where everyone can develop freely. The aim: to promote a new generation of hardgroove techno, noise, core, industrial sounds, house and experimental.
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 becoming more and more established in the techno scene and Tresor.West is playing its part! The Community Nights with Free admission and local acts make the club an accessible place for everyone - in the spirit of the original club culture.
A look at the diverse techno club landscape in Germany
If you don't find what you're looking for here, you probably won't find it anywhere. In Germany, the nice techno clubs are as well spread out as the kebab stores that you can head for on the way home after the club, or perhaps a bakery? 👀
Whether Berlin, Leipzig, Dortmund or Wuppertal - all clubs are characterized by their love of 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. This is precisely why club spaces are so important and a part of the cultural industry that is worth protecting.
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.
