"Berlin, long hailed as one of the world's great party cities, is fighting to keep its famed techno clubs alive in the face of soaring prices, shifting tastes and a tightening property market. For now, the mood is exuberant at Renate, a labyrinthine club with multiple DJs housed in a dimly-lit complex near the Spree river, a Berlin institution which recently celebrated its 18th birthday."
"Clubs have taken a hammering in recent years, between the Covid-19 pandemic, soaring inflation, a decline in budget flights bringing weekend revellers, and some youngsters' shift away from clubbing to outdoor music festivals. The business squeeze has in turn led many establishments to raise entry charges and drinks prices, setting off a vicious circle where many young people and stalwarts of the scene feel priced out."
"Berlin became a pumping techno and rave hub in the years following the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall, as an anarchic counterculture moved into abandoned industrial sites to create music, dance and art spaces. But in the decades since, population growth in the capital of reunified Germany and gentrification have transformed the city once famously dubbed "poor but sexy" by former mayor Klaus Wowereit."
Berlin's techno clubs are struggling to survive amid soaring prices, changing tastes and a tighter property market. Iconic venues like Renate celebrate their legacy but face uncertain leases and closures. Factors include the Covid-19 pandemic, inflation, fewer budget flights reducing weekend visitors, and some young people favoring outdoor music festivals over clubbing. Clubs have increased entry fees and drink prices, which further excludes many young patrons and long-time supporters. The phenomenon has led to closures such as Watergate while some institutions like Berghain persist. The loss of venues signals a major challenge to Berlin's nightlife and cultural identity.
Read at The Local Germany
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