Berlin’s iconic Watergate club to close at the end of 2024

Watergate, one of Berlin’s most iconic electronic music clubs, will close its doors at the end of 2024, marking the end of a 22-year era in the city’s nightlife. The announcement, made via Instagram and confirmed in an interview with Resident Advisor, cited financial pressures as the main reason for the closure. Rising costs, inflation, increased energy expenses, and the high rent for its prime location on the Spree River have made it impossible to keep the club open.

Stefan Wombacher, owner of Watergate, explained that continuing under the current conditions would pose significant financial risks. Along with economic challenges, Wombacher pointed to shifts in electronic music culture, where large-scale festivals are becoming more popular, moving away from the intimate club experience that defined Watergate. "A club like Watergate is based on the original idea of offering a defining space for a musical generation", he remarked.

To say farewell, Watergate will host a series of high-profile events from October through its final night on New Year’s Eve 2024. Renowned artists like Charlotte de Witte, Sven Väth, and Richie Hawtin are set to perform, alongside legendary parties such as Multisex and Mala Junta.

Despite the physical closure, Watergate's legacy will live on through its record label, Watergate Records, which will continue to operate. This news comes alongside the possible closure of another nearby club, Renate, highlighting the growing challenges facing Berlin’s nightlife.