Berlin’s Watergate Club to close down for good

After over two decades as a cornerstone of Berlin’s nightlife, the legendary Watergate Club has announced it will cease operations. But when? Watergate Club will close for good at the end of this year. The club, located at Oberbaumbrücke, has been a staple of the international electronic music community since its opening in 2002.

In a heartfelt statement, Watergate’s management explained, “With a heavy heart, we have decided to end our club operations at Watergate, located at the Oberbaumbrücke, at the end of the year and not to renew our lease.”

They cited several factors contributing to this difficult decision. These include economic challenges in the post-COVID landscape, rising costs, and shifting dynamics in club culture.

How does it happen? Why Berlin’s Watergate Club will close?

The announcement reflects broader struggles faced by Berlin’s nightlife industry:

These are tough times for Berlin’s clubs, and since Covid the business hasn’t really picked up for many. Whether it’s high rents, war, inflation, rising costs, or simply a change in the nightlife dynamics of the next club generation and a shift in the relevance of club culture in general – the operation of a venue like Watergate, in such a prime location, with the financial pressure that comes with it, is increasingly becoming a balancing act with an uncertain future.

Watergate quickly rose to prominence as one of the globe’s premier nightlife destinations, “helping to put Berlin on the map as one of the top nightlife destinations in the world.”

The venue’s unique location on the River Spree, featuring its iconic glass floor with views of the water below, made it a truly special place for both locals and tourists alike.

The club plans to go out on a high note. Watergate Club planned a series of farewell events throughout the remaining months of the year.

In the coming months, until the end of the year, we’ll be hosting a series of top-tier events. No artist will miss the chance to celebrate one last sunrise in the club with us, no collective will skip the opportunity for one final gathering, and no guest will be denied the last chance for a memorable night at Watergate.

Management expressed gratitude to the guests who filled Watergate “week after week with their diverse and enthusiastic energy” over the past 22 years. They acknowledged the club’s role in shaping Berlin’s nightlife scene, stating:

Watergate has been at the forefront of the international club scene for 22 years, quickly becoming a staple for guests from all over the globe.

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