Watergate’s Closure Marks the End of an Era for Berlin’s Club Scene

In a blow to Berlin’s legendary club scene, the iconic nightclub Watergate has announced it will close its doors permanently at the end of 2024. Known for helping shape the German and global techno culture into what it is today, Watergate’s influence extends far beyond its walls. For over two decades, it has been a cultural hub, fostering the rise of electronic music while maintaining an intimate, underground vibe. The club is closing due to mounting financial pressures, a trend affecting smaller, independent venues around the city.

Ulrich Wombacher, Watergate’s co-founder, cited “the realities of inflation, the energy crisis, rising costs in general, and, not least, the high rent” as key factors behind the decision. As rising costs and economic instability force more people to attend massive festivals and events, smaller clubs like Watergate are struggling to preserve their identity and financial viability.

Yet, Watergate has always been more than just a venue. “It was based on the original idea of the club as a defining place for an entire musical generation,” Wombacher emphasized in an interview with Resident Advisor. Closing the club is strategic for him and his team, made with a sense of responsibility and foresight. “Now that we see things going in a different direction, it’s time for us to take this last step,” he explained. “Continuing blindly without sense or reason and risking an uncontrolled financial decline is out of the question for us.”

By deciding to step down while still in control, Watergate remains true to its values and legacy. Rather than facing an uncertain financial future, the club has chosen not to renew its lease in 2025, ensuring it exits on its terms—an act of preservation in a time of economic uncertainty.

Though I never had the chance to play at Watergate, I always wished I had. Situated on the banks of the River Spree, Watergate opened its doors in 2002 and quickly became a cornerstone of Berlin’s electronic music scene. Its sleek, modern design, renowned LED light installation, and impeccable bookings created a genuinely immersive clubbing experience. Over its 22-year history, the club has hosted some of the biggest names in techno, including Sven Väth, Carl Cox, Charlotte de Witte, Boo Williams, and Richie Hawtin, among many others.

To mark its farewell, Watergate will host a series of closing parties, with Ricardo Villalobos, Marlon Hoffstadt, DJ Minx, and Kerri Chandler already confirmed to perform. These events will take place from October through the end of the year, giving fans and artists one last opportunity to celebrate its legacy.

Watergate’s closure comes shortly after the announcement that Berlin club Renate, which shares the same landlord, will also shut its doors due to rising rent and financial pressures. This underscores a broader issue facing independent venues in Berlin: the growing economic challenges they face in a changing nightlife landscape. As more people flock to massive festivals and high-profile events, smaller, underground clubs find it increasingly difficult to compete financially and in terms of attention.

Watergate has faced financial hurdles before. After celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2017, the club’s future became uncertain when landlords doubled the rent. To manage the increased costs, Watergate expanded its programming and reach, even establishing a record label. Despite these efforts, the current economic climate has proven too difficult to overcome.

As we bid farewell to this legendary institution, Watergate’s closure is a stark reminder of the delicate balance independent clubs must maintain to survive. While the loss of Watergate is undoubtedly a blow to the techno scene, its cultural influence and legacy will endure. The club helped define Berlin’s reputation as the world capital of electronic music in many ways.

For those of us passionate about the future of music, now is the time to act. Supporting independent venues, artists, and labels is more crucial than ever. Every ticket purchased, every track streamed, and every share made helps keep the music ecosystem alive and thriving. Watergate’s story may end, but its spirit lives on—and it’s up to us to keep that energy alive.

The Watergate Record Label: A Legacy of Influence

In 2008, the club took its impact to the next level by launching Watergate Records, a label that reflected its ethos of curating cutting-edge, forward-thinking electronic music. The label expanded the club’s sonic identity, providing a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work. Over the years, Watergate Records built an impressive catalogue that cemented its reputation as one of the most respected imprints in the electronic music world.

The label’s roster includes a diverse range of artists, from veterans of the scene to up-and-coming producers, all of whom contributed to the evolution of techno, house, and minimal music. For instance, house legend Kerri Chandler—renowned for his deep, soulful sound—brought his signature style to the label, enriching its catalogue with a blend of classic and contemporary house elements. Meanwhile, Extrawelt, known for their mix of techno and electronica, offered a more experimental edge, reflecting the progressive spirit of Watergate’s programming.

One of Argentina’s most beloved electronic music figures, Hernan Cattaneo, also found a home on the label. His melodic, progressive house tracks resonated with Watergate’s crowd and captured the venue’s international appeal. Similarly, artists like Slam, Sasha, Patrice Bäumel, and Henrik Schwarz added distinct flavours to the label’s offerings. Patrice Bäumel’s hypnotic, driving techno and Henrik Schwarz’s fusion of deep house with jazz and African influences found a natural audience through Watergate’s platform.

Watergate Records didn’t stop at established names. It also championed rising talents like Tim Engelhardt, whose dynamic and intricately produced tracks earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting young producers in the scene. Artists like Kenny Larkin, WhoMadeWho, La Fleur, Alex Niggemann, Jimi Jules and Olivier Giacomotto brought additional layers of creativity to the label, further diversifying its output and ensuring that Watergate remained at the forefront of electronic music innovation.

The label became a way for Watergate to extend its influence beyond Berlin, allowing fans across the globe to experience the club’s unique sound and energy. Even as the physical venue prepares to close its doors, Watergate’s imprint on the electronic music landscape will live on through the music it has released and the artists it has nurtured.

As we bid farewell to this legendary institution, Watergate’s closure is a stark reminder of the delicate balance independent clubs must maintain to survive. While the loss of Watergate is undoubtedly a blow to the techno scene, its cultural influence and legacy will hopefully endure. The club helped define Berlin’s reputation as the world capital of electronic music in many ways.

For those of us passionate about the future of music, now is the time to act. Supporting independent venues, artists, and labels is more crucial than ever. Every ticket purchased, every track streamed, and every share made helps keep the music ecosystem alive and thriving. Watergate’s story may end, but its spirit lives on—and it’s up to us to keep that energy alive.

Below is a Spotify playlist containing tunes I would have loved to play in a Watergate set. I’ve purchased numerous releases on their label and hope they continue contributing to the scene in one shape or form.

Let’s honour Watergate’s legacy by supporting vibrant, independent music spaces. Together, we can ensure the future of music remains as diverse, exciting, and inspiring as the past.

Words and Spotify Playlist By Phraktal, Editor in Chief, TechnoScene.eu