Berghain | Panorama Bar | Säule is a renowned nightclub complex in
Berlin, Germany, celebrated internationally as a temple of techno and electronic music. Housed in a former East German power plant near Ostbahnhof, the venue opened in 2004, evolving from its predecessor, the smaller and equally infamous club Ostgut, which operated between 1998 and 2003. The name “Berghain” is a portmanteau of the bordering neighborhoods Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, symbolizing its cultural bridge across
Berlin's creative landscape.
Berghain’s architecture, with vast industrial spaces, soaring ceilings, and concrete pillars, amplifies its reputation for immersive sound and lighting experiences. The club’s main floor, Berghain, is known for its marathon, no-photos-allowed techno events; the upstairs Panorama Bar specializes in house music, while Säule, added in 2017, focuses on experimental and avant-garde electronic music. Berghain is infamous for its selective and enigmatic door policy, cultivating an aura of exclusivity that adds to its mystique and allure, and fostering a radically open, sex-positive environment once inside.
The club has earned legendary status for its role in defining
Berlin’s nightlife, acting as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ communities, and setting standards for club culture worldwide. Over the years, the venue has expanded its infrastructure but has remained steadfast in its core values of artistic freedom, inclusivity, and community-driven principles. The club’s own record label, Ostgut Ton, further cements its influence on electronic music globally.
Notable artists who have performed at Berghain | Panorama Bar | Säule include international stars and local icons such as Ben Klock, Marcel Dettmann, Nina Kraviz, Len Faki, Steffi, DVS1, Tama Sumo, Boris, Honey Dijon, DJ Hell, Seth Troxler, Ellen Allien, Objekt, The Black Madonna (now The Blessed Madonna), Virginia, Helena Hauff, Kobosil, Marcel Fengler, Paul Kalkbrenner, Dr. Rubinstein, Norman Nodge, Function, Prosumer, Ricardo Villalobos, Rødhåd, Margaret Dygas, Boris Dolinski, Phase Fatale, nd_baumecker, Fiedel, Answer Code Request, Paramida, Ryan Elliott, and many more, each contributing to the club’s status as a global epicenter for cutting-edge electronic music.