The decision to close Watergate came after 22 years, citing the nightlife economy's slow recovery post-pandemic, with inflation and energy prices contributing to financial strain.
Co-founder Ulrich Wombacher noted that the pandemic fundamentally altered nightlife behavior, driving younger people to prefer festivals or staying home over clubbing.
Wombacher pointed out that the average club-goer's lifecycle has shifted; after a few years of clubbing, they often move on, leaving a gap during prolonged closures.
He expressed concerns that Berlin's once-appealing 'poor but sexy' image may be dated, exacerbated by rising issues like drug problems affecting the nightlife scene.
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