Berghain (pronounced the same) is a nightclub in Berlin, Germany. Its name comes from its location near the border between Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. Founded in 2004 by friends Norbert Thormann and Michael Teufele, it has since become one of the most famous clubs in the world and is often called the global capital of techno.
Berghain’s roots go back to Berlin in the 1990s, beginning with wild techno and fetish parties in the Reichsbahnbunker, which evolved into the influential gay club Ostgut in 1998. After Ostgut closed in 2003, its founders opened Berghain in 2004.
The original building was once a power plant built in post–World War II East Germany, featuring the industrial brutalist architecture typical of the socialist era. With its massive concrete walls, cavernous space, and focus on functionality rather than decoration, the venue has retained a slightly intimidating atmosphere that contributes to its mysterious and exclusive reputation.
Inside, Berghain has several levels: the main floor dedicated to techno music, an upper level called Panorama Bar focused on house music, and a basement known as Lab.oratory, a men-only sex club described by Rolling Stone as the most extreme in Berlin. Upper floors reportedly include dark rooms designed for sexual activity.
Berghain is famous for its marathon weekend schedule, where parties begin on Saturday night and continue until Monday afternoon, every week. Lines to get in can last for hours or even days. The club’s strict and selective door policy has become legendary. Its head doorman, Sven Marquardt, has been the face of this selection since 1998, back when the venue was still Ostgut.
People who have managed to enter describe a mix of mystery and ritual. The unofficial rules include dressing in black or unusual attire without overtrying, avoiding large groups (especially all-male ones), arriving with at least one woman if possible, keeping quiet in line, and speaking German if you do.
The club’s door policy is famous for its strictness and has sparked endless debates and speculation. The bouncers have also faced accusations of discrimination, but Marquardt, who is also a photographer, insists the selection is based on “energy” and personal vibe rather than appearance or status. Entry costs around 25 euros. Phones and filming are prohibited, and the rule “what happens in Berghain stays in Berghain” is strictly enforced.
Many describe the experience as life-changing, but beyond that, few details about what happens inside have ever been shared.
Controversies Around Berghain
Berghain has often been linked to controversies involving drug use, overdoses, and safety concerns, as well as political criticism surrounding its drug culture and atmosphere.
Despite these issues, the club has consistently ranked among the top venues in the world, appearing on DJ Magazine’s Top 100 Clubs list since 2008, reaching number one in 2009, and being regularly nominated as Best Global Club by the International Dance Music Awards. It is frequently referenced in music, television, and film.
Inside the club, photography is strictly forbidden, and guests must cover their phone cameras with stickers. Even during the pandemic in 2020, when Berghain temporarily turned into an art space for the exhibition Studio Berlin, this rule was maintained. The club’s restrooms famously have no mirrors, meant to spare guests the “terrifying humiliation” of seeing their faces after an intense night of partying.
Criticism and Tragedies
Over the years, Berghain has also been the center of scandals linked to drug overdoses and medical emergencies.
In June 2017, a 30-year-old American woman died shortly after leaving Berghain after taking ecstasy reportedly purchased inside the club. She and her husband were visiting Berlin with a friend when she collapsed, showing signs of distress and foaming at the mouth. According to witnesses, medical help was delayed because people assumed the effects would pass. By the time an ambulance arrived, she was rushed to the hospital but died soon after. A toxicology report confirmed an MDMA overdose.
The incident sparked nationwide debate in Germany about drug safety protocols in nightlife spaces and calls for in-club drug testing and improved emergency response.
In 2019, unconfirmed reports suggested three individuals died in a single night after consuming counterfeit ecstasy pills. In 2022, several club-goers reported being pricked with needles and injected with unknown substances without consent. Although these incidents were never officially verified, they fueled ongoing discussions about safety in nightlife venues.
The German courts’ decision to classify Berghain as a “cultural institution” has raised further concerns about accountability and the government’s responsibility for public health and safety.
Beyond the drug controversies, Berghain has also faced political attacks. In 2018, politician Sibylle Schmidt called for the club’s closure, citing excessive drug use and sexualization. Her comments, which reflected far-right AfD rhetoric, were publicly ridiculed and dismissed.
Berghain remains a paradox. Its exclusivity fuels its mystique and marketing power, drawing even more people desperate to get in. You can describe its walls and architecture, but not the smell of sweat, the pulse of the techno, or the strange comfort that seems to envelop those who make it past the door.
Born in a place shaped by repression and authority, Berghain today preserves strict rules to protect a space that defies definition.
