How To Get Into Berghain (& What Not To Do)
Wondering how to get into Berghain? Berlin’s most notorious nightclub is known almost as much for its strict door policy as it is for the techno and house music inside.
Berghain is more than just a nightclub. It’s a cultural institution, a symbol of Berlin’s underground scene, gay community, and a place where music, art, and freedom converge.
As a local and (somewhat regular) I can tell you that ever since the pandemic ended and Elon Musk tried to get inside, these days the queues are longer than ever. Meaning: the chances to get into Berghain are lower than ever too.
However, I know “How do I get into Berghain?” is still a burning question on many visitors’ minds. While I definitely can’t guarantee entry, this guide will provide you with some solid tips and tricks to increase your chances of making it inside.
Berghain History
Founded in 2004, Berghain is located near Ostbahnhof, a short walk from Warschauerstrasse S- and U-Bahn stations. Its name derives from the border between Kreuzberg (Berg-) Friedrichshain (-Hain). The club’s roots trace back to Ostgut, a former club in Friedrichshain.
Berghain Facts
Klubnacht: When people talk about Berghain, they’re typically referencing Klubnacht, the weekly party that runs from Saturday at midnight until Monday morning.
Entry Price: Typically €25/26 for Klubnacht, less for other nights (There’s also a €5 re-entry fee if you leave and come back. But you only pay it once per Klubnacht, so if your hostel is nearby you can come and go a few times.)
Bring cash: While you can pay with cards at the door, you can’t at the bars inside. So be sure you bring enough cash for your evening or day. (There’s also an ATM nearby outside and yes, the bouncers will let you use it without paying the re-entry fee if you ask nicely.)
Who’s playing: You can find all the info you need at berghain.berlin, including a timetable that changes as the DJs change.
Lineups are announced during the first week of the previous month. The running order for Klubnacht is usually announced around noon on the Thursday before the party. (None of this will do you any good if you’re planning a trip three months from now, but that’s just the way it is.)
Club Layout: Berghain has three distinct levels. Saule (the ground-floor level) is mostly a chill area during Klubnacht but sometimes it will host a live act. Berghain is the main techno floor and Panorama bar is the top floor, where you’ll typically hear house, electro, disco and more.
Hours: The party starts Saturday at midnight and runs until 8am Monday morning (sometimes longer during holidays). The last entry is when the last DJ starts. (Yet another reason why it’s so important to check the schedule before you go.)
Food: Berghain is designed to let you stay for hours. To help, there’s food at the Eisbar (take the stairs from Berghain floor) and also at the garderobe (coatcheck).
The Eisbar has ice cream (duh!) as well as smoothies, sandwiches, and even potato salad. Garderobe offers chocolate bars, potato chips, electrolytes and other assorted packaged snacks. FYI, the coffee at Berghain is pretty damn great. (My suggestion: get an affogato in Eisbar!)
Earplugs: This club is loud so please protect your ears. If you don’t have your own earplugs, you can ask for some at the garderobe or at any bar. They’re just the foam ones but they’re free. (They also have free condoms, should you make an unexpected turn into the darkroom.)
Darkroom: The darkroom to the left of the Berghain dancefloor is mostly a gay cruising area. If you’re straight, you’ll be much more welcome at the not-so-dark “rest” area above the toilets in Saule or the cubbies in Panorama bar.
Berghain Myths
There’s an all-black dresscode.
There is no formal dresscode. The only solid absolute no-no that I’ve ever heard is sports jerseys. Other than that, almost everything goes. (Yes, even white sneakers are fine on the right person.)
With that said, are the people mostly wearing black? Of course, they are! But they’re doing that at other clubs in Berlin too. They also appreciate a little effort with the outfit, especially of the fetish-y variety. Keep in mind I once saw Sven Marquardt at the door wearing all-white.
Can you party from Friday until Monday inside Berghain?
Nope. Despite what you heard, no the club is not open from Friday until Monday. The Friday night parties are also fun, but they’re different–and they usually have a much easier door policy. Typically, it’s also only Panorama bar open on Fridays–not the full Berghain experience.
Can tourists get into Berghain?
Yes, tourists can get into Berghain and they do every weekend! Whether you’ll be one of them is a different story. However, avoiding large groups and demonstrating a genuine interest in techno music can go a long way.
What if I’m sober?
No problem. Not everyone in the club is off their face! Of course, your comfort levels are up to you. But drink-wise, they’ve got you covered with coffee, mate, juice, and coconut water, plus (nice!) non-alcoholic versions of drinks like Moscow Mules (only available at Saule and Panorama bar).
How To Get Into Berghain: Club Culture
The club culture in Berlin has its own set of rules. Here are some of the most important things to know. (Many of these apply to all Berlin clubs!)
Nein Is Nein
Berghain has a notoriously tough door policy. But don’t take it personally or try to argue your way inside. There’s nothing more embarrassing than watching someone argue or yell at the bouncers after getting denied. Look, if you’re a tourist, the odds are just not in your favour. So don’t take it personally. (And also if you’ve tried early enough you might get another chance later on.)
That Includes On The Dancefloor
“No is no” also extends to the dancefloor, dark rooms, etc. Consent is everything and if you don’t get that, don’t go. Yes, people might be dressed provocatively and dancing right next to you. No, that doesn’t mean it’s okay to touch them without consent or start dancing up on them.
The darkroom follows its own gay cruising etiquette. Basically, people might touch you in there without asking but if you say no, your no should still be respected. If you’re a straight couple, know that your presence will not be welcomed by everyone. Also, don’t go in there just to take a break and check your phone jfc.
No Photos
In general, Germany places a lot of importance on privacy. In the Berlin clubs, that extends to the photo policy. Berghain puts stickers over your phone on arrival for this reason. Please do not be the asshole who peels the sticker off, takes video of other clubgoers and posts it to Instagram/TikTok/YouTube. Don’t even take your stickers off to check your make-up (or whatever other excuse you can come up with). You will be reported, kicked out and possibly permanently banned. (Please also avoid filming people in the queue outside!)
It’s A Gay Club / Sex Club
Not everyone in Berghain is gay or having sex in the open. But that is part of the club’s culture. If either of those things offend you, please don’t go. The club will not change its ethos to make you comfortable. So go with the flow and get into it if you like. Just do not act horrified if something sexual happens right in front of you. (Because it probably will.)
Not actually Sven
Tips: How To Get Into Berghain
Go alone
Going alone (or in a pair) is my number one tip. Your stag party is not going to make it! Yes, it’s scary but you’re not the first to make this pilgrimage alone (nor will you be the last).
If you do attempt as a group, be prepared for what you’ll do if the bouncer selects only one of you to enter. (My advice is to let the chosen one go ahead and enjoy their night!)
Know who’s playing (or know what night it is)
The bouncers have been known to ask potential guests if they know who’s playing. So always take a look at the schedule and know what’s up before you go. (Pro tip: don’t name the DJ who finished three hours ago!)
Be comfortable
Wearing black is the most cliche advice get-into-Berghain advice but here’s the trick. Wearing black alone is not enough to get you inside. I’ve had friends enter in everything from a Jurassic Park t-shirt to neon yellow pants. What’s more important than your outfit is your vibe. However, you cannot just go out and buy that at the store. So my best advice is to just be comfortable and wear something you can dance in for hours.
Try your luck on Saturday night
Sunday night is for the regulars! In my experience, the later it is on Sunday, the more difficult it is to get in. So I recommend first-timers try their luck Saturday night–preferably after 2am.
As a bonus with this tactic, if you get rejected, you can try again later or just take your party to another club. (This is harder to do on Sunday evening!)
Be confident / Make eye contact
The bouncers are looking out for signs of newcomers and avoiding eye contact is definitely one of those signs. Try to look confident as you approach them and look them in the eye. (No need to go overboard with greetings!) They will typically ask how many people you’re with so it’s also smart to answer that question auf Deutsch.
Try again
Don’t get discouraged if you’re turned away on your first attempt. Keep trying and be persistent. If you’ve gone early enough, you’ll have another shot at it. The bouncer’s shift changes at 8am and 6pm on Sunday. Also, the bouncers change who’s selecting during their shifts too. So sometimes trying again in an hour will also do the trick. (This definitely isn’t so feasible if the queue is 3 hours long of course.)
Use the Garderobe/Coatcheck
I’ve definitely witnessed a few misguided souls who tried dragging their coat or large bag around all night, only to tie it up somewhere and forget all about it. Just pay to check your stuff and avoid this mess. (The coatcheck is very safe!)
Record your coat check number on your phone
This is good insurance in case you lose your tag somehow. (But don’t take a photo of it, duh.)
Take party breaks
Berghain is a marathon, not a sprint. Typically, people from elsewhere aren’t used to being a club that’s open for so long and they can get excited and overdo it. So be careful. Take breaks, eat some food, or relax in the garten (if you’re there in the summer). You don’t have to be raging on the dancefloor the entire time.
Be a good party guest
If you find something (a wallet, phone, etc.) turn it in at the nearest bar. In general, the Lost & Found at Berghain is great at returning things. Just keep in mind, you will have to wait until Wednesday to come pick it up. However, this also requires guests to look out for each other and do the right thing.
(Email them at lost@ostgut.de to inquire about any lost items.)
Get Into Berghain: What Not To Do
Don’t go
My unpopular advice for Berghain is that it’s just not for everyone.
If you don’t like rave culture, house or techno, don’t go. Similarly, if you feel uncomfortable around gay culture, don’t go.
Going just because you heard it’s cool or whatever isn’t enough of a reason. Berghain isn’t for everybody and the tough door policy reflects that.
Don’t go in a big group
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a group of 4 or more ever get in the door. So I suggest a maximum group size of three people. But again, trying by yourself is even better. (Yes, you’ll make friends inside.)
Don’t arrive drunk or high
Yes, you’re going into a debaucherous nightclub but don’t start the party too early. They will make you remove your sunglasses at the door to see if you’re trying to hide it. (A few pre-party drinks is fine!)
Don’t act like you’re at the zoo
Again, the door is tough for a reason. They’re trying to create an inclusive relaxed atmosphere and people who act like they’re at the zoo are not part of that. Be friendly. Be open-minded. And do not go into the dark room to gawk. (However, it is okay to gawk at whatever might be happening in the cubbies off the Pano dancefloor as those people want to be seen.)
Think: participation (to your own comfort levels).
Don’t wear heels
Of course, some people might be wearing heels inside. They’re not banned! But typically, heels are a dead giveaway that you have no idea what to expect inside. (There are lots of stairs and it’s just not practical for the crowded and intense dancefloors.)
Don’t cut the line
It’s not cute and you’ll likely be called out or reported for it anyway.
Don’t message DJs asking for guest list.
It’s full. Don’t bother them. (Bad examples here.) On that note, don’t ask the regulars either. No one is dying to take a random stranger inside.
Don’t take it personally
As you can see from the masses of people getting turned away, getting rejected is commonplace. Don’t take it personally and don’t let it ruin your night or entire vacation! A lot of it is pure luck and sometimes the club really is at capacity. Besides, there are loads of other places in Berlin where you can also have a great time. (Always have a Plan B just in case.)
Remember, Berghain is a unique institution with its own rules and atmosphere. By respecting these guidelines and immersing yourself in the club’s culture, you can increase your chances of experiencing this iconic Berlin institution. Be adventurous, confident, and enjoy!
Want more? Check out our list of three clubs that are easier to get into than Berghain or the best clubs in Berlin.
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