Legendary Berlin club Watergate to close after 22 years

Berlin’s legendary club Watergate will close its doors at the end of 2024, as confirmed by its team on September 17th.

After 22 years of operation, the venue on Falckensteinstrasse has decided to shut down due to financial challenges. Representatives cited that the rising costs of running the club had become unsustainable.

"Unfortunately, we’ve been hit hard by inflation, the energy crisis, increasing overall expenses, and especially the high rent for this prime location near Oberbaumbrücke by the Spree," co-founder Ulrich Wombacher told Resident Advisor. "The financial pressure has grown too great, and we ultimately decided not to renew the lease."

Wombacher also pointed to the rise of large-scale events and festivals as a contributing factor. "Watergate was built on the idea of the club as a central space for a generation of music lovers," he explained. "Now that the scene is shifting, we believe it’s time to take this final step. Continuing without reason, risking financial ruin, is not an option. We’ve chosen to exit on our own terms, with dignity."

Watergate will host a farewell program from its October anniversary until its closure, with an exact date yet to be announced. The lineup will feature performances by Charlotte de Witte, Sven Väth, Richie Hawtin, Marlon Hoffstadt, DJ Minx, and Kerri Chandler, alongside events such as Multisex, Mala Junta, Club Heartbroken, and New Kids on Acid, a popular night tied to Zip and Ricardo Villalobos.

Founded in October 2002 by Wombacher, Steffen Hack, and Niklas Eichstädt, Watergate has become one of Berlin’s iconic nightlife institutions. Although the venue will close, the Watergate Records label and broader brand will continue.

This announcement comes after nearby club Renate, under the same landlord, revealed it may also close when its lease expires in 2025.