7 popular clubs in Germany   Legendary dancefloors

Pulsing beats and packed dancefloors – Germany has some clubs that manage to draw visitors from other countries. From techno to house to pop, these venues are the beating heart of the party scene.

Berghain (Berlin)

Topping the club popularity charts is of course Berghain in Berlin. The strict door policy is surrounded by myth, with celebrities repeatedly claiming that even they were denied entry. Those who do get in, however, speak of legendary parties and a truly special atmosphere. Berghain is located in Berlin’s Friedrichshain district, and its current name has been in use since 2004. The music is mostly techno. The club, which is located in a former power station, occupies several floors; regular art exhibitions are also held in other parts of the building. Berghain is primarily open at weekends, with its famous club night running non-stop from Saturday night until Monday morning. Berghain enforces a strict ban on filming and photography – which certainly adds to the club’s enigmatic reputation.

Bootshaus (Cologne)

Bootshaus in Cologne is located, as the name (=boathouse) suggests, near the Rhine – on a former shipyard site in the district of Deutz. It reached seventh place in DJ Mag’s ranking of the world’s best clubs in 2025 – making it, yet again, the best club in Germany. For good reason: there are three dancefloors with space for around 2,000 people, the music played is a mix of underground and electronic mainstream, with some of the biggest names on the DJ scene making regular appearances there. For instance Tiësto und David Guetta have played sets at Bootshaus before – but up-and-coming DJs are given opportunities as well. The club was founded in 2004 in a former warehouse and has been a fixture at festivals like Parookaville since then. Bootshaus also regularly organises its own special events.

Die Rakete (Nuremberg)

They call it the Pearl of the South – Die Rakete in Nuremberg has made itself a name as a successful club. It has been around since 2003, starting with an eclectic programme of concerts, featuring acts such as Deichkind and Sportfreunde Stiller, and rotating club nights with a variety of music genres, for instance Britpop. The concept evolved over time, and the organisers have been focusing on electronic music since around 2007. Fans of house and techno will definitely get their money’s worth here. The venue is split across two floors, with an outdoor terrace doubling as an extra dance floor in summer. More recently, Die Rakete has also begun offering other projects, such as the discussion series “Labor für Clubkultur”. Topics like scene development and music production are discussed there.

Uebel & Gefährlich (Hamburg)

Hamburg’s best-known club is located on the fourth floor of a bunker, the former Flak Tower IV in the St. Pauli district. Uebel & Gefährlich can hold roughly 1,000 people and the club is divided into two main spaces, the ballroom and the tower room. The roof terrace had to close in 2021. Musically, the venue covers a wide spectrum, spanning everything from indie, rock and pop to hip‑hop, singer‑songwriter concerts, and (occasionally) electronic or alternative music. So not only do they have party nights here, there’s also plenty of live music. Sia, Scooter and Billie Eilish have performed here. The club is also committed to greater sustainability, for example through energy‑saving initiatives.

Fusion (Münster)

Fusion Club on the Hawerkamp industrial complex is one of the oldest electronic music venues in Germany. The club opened in 1997, and since then it has specialised in techno, hard techno and underground. Guests can move between several floors and an outdoor area – and between different musical styles as well. The mix of historic factory buildings, industrial atmosphere and modern club technology gives the experience a unique character. For this reason alone, Fusion attracts guests from all over North Rhine-Westphalia. The name Fusion reflects the idea of bringing events, special nights and iconic party series together in a single location.

P1 (Munich)

Munich’s most legendary club has thrived on its reputation as a hotspot for celebrities and glamour for decades. Located in the basement of the “Haus der Kunst” Museum, the club once served as an officers’ meeting place for the occupying American forces. P1 has been a go-to address for celebrity guests since 1984 – as well as for anyone who enjoys being seen with celebs and attending their parties. At the club’s peak, the likes of Tina Turner, Woody Allen and die Toten Hosen featured on the guest list. The musical spectrum is broad: they play pop, house, hip-hop and electronic music – depending on the event. The club guests can switch between the main dancefloor, lounges, VIP zones and an outside area for summer nights. If you want to be allowed in, you need to dress smartly – the dress code for P1 is worlds apart from the underground techno clubs.

Distillery (Leipzig)

Distillery is a club in Leipzig that opened its doors in 1992 – making it the oldest techno club in eastern Germany. Its origins lie in illegal raves that were held in a disused brewery. Initially known for techno and house, the Tille, as the Leipzig club is known,  expanded its musical range to include drum & bass, dubstep, hip‑hop and reggae. As well as pure DJ sets, Distillery also regularly hosts live concerts and poetry slams. The club had to relocate several times. Most recently, its long-term home on Kurt-Eisner-Strasse was demolished. Fans partied for 72 hours in 2023 to mark the occasion, after which the club remained closed for two years. The grand re-opening in Messehalle 7 was then held in August 2025.
 

February 2026