I'm sure they're right about the atmosphere. I'm also quite convinced that it shits on anything I'd find in London. But it doesn't make it something I'd ever support here. I like the democracy of an open door policy and I'm happy to sacrifice that kind of 'special' atmosphere for any type of person being allowed in to the club.

get back to work everybody

The Guys that run Berghain do so in the best faith possible and should be respected for it! They've been nothing but legendary in my dealings with them and if the door staff were kicking anyone out its probably as they were trying to do their jobs in a fair manner. Would they know who Hawtin is?
Sounds like the whole thing has been blown out of proportion anyway.

a test at the door would be the fairest thing. ask questions like what is poker flat, who is dettmann.....

Entry exams make a party!

It's good to see that everyone is treated like an equal at Berghain, no special treatments.
That too keeps the club great.

Watergate have a little entrance exam, who's playing, what label etc. Im sure the cavemen would get wise to this though.

Rich needs to put his head down and stop behaving like a celebrity..

...

...

Shut up!! .. u're a woman. Where did u see complains from women gettin` into Berghain?
Shush

Absolutely. I'll second that. Discrimination, in any form, cannot be the way forward.

My girlfiriend and I are both big techno fans from Ireland and we were really looking forward to visiting Club Berghain / Panorama Bar last weekend while on a trip to Berlin.

It was snowing on Saturday night and we made our way by train to Ostanbanhof station and from there we made our way by foot your club. On the way we met two Australian guys and a South African girl. They, like ourselves, were relatively sober (I had three beers taken) and we were all dressed normally - not overdressed or underdressed for a club.

When we got to Berghain where we joined the small que at the entrance. The bouncer spoke German to some people in front of us and allowed them to enter without incident.

He then stopped the Australian guys and the South African girl and asked them a question in German. They apologised and explained that they couldn't speak German. Once the bouncer heard them speak English he immediately refused them entry. The Australian guy asked the bouncer why they had been refused entry only to be told that the club "didn't want them there".

My girlfriend and I thought this was very strange but we waited patiently at the entry gate. When the bouncer had finished with the Australians he turned to my girlfriend and said "zwei?" (two?). She said "yes please". He then said "You speak English? You cannot enter either. Leave now." We left as he was very threatening. (He had short black hair and was wearing a green jacket on Saturday last.)

Unfortunately, it would seem that discrimination based on nationality is alive and well at Berghain.

I've been to many techno clubs all over Europe and I've never experienced anything like this.

Don't back down Richie - you're right to tell it like it is. Shame on them.

(PS We took a taxi to Watergate where we were admitted immediately and had a great night!)

My girlfiriend and I are both big techno fans from Ireland and we were really looking forward to visiting Club Berghain / Panorama Bar last weekend while on a trip to Berlin.

It was snowing on Saturday night and we made our way by train to Ostanbanhof station and from there we made our way by foot your club. On the way we met two Australian guys and a South African girl. They, like ourselves, were relatively sober (I had three beers taken) and we were all dressed normally - not overdressed or underdressed for a club.

When we got to Berghain where we joined the small que at the entrance. The bouncer spoke German to some people in front of us and allowed them to enter without incident.

He then stopped the Australian guys and the South African girl and asked them a question in German. They apologised and explained that they couldn't speak German. Once the bouncer heard them speak English he immediately refused them entry. The Australian guy asked the bouncer why they had been refused entry only to be told that the club "didn't want them there".

My girlfriend and I thought this was very strange but we waited patiently at the entry gate. When the bouncer had finished with the Australians he turned to my girlfriend and said "zwei?" (two?). She said "yes please". He then said "You speak English? You cannot enter either. Leave now." We left as he was very threatening. (He had short black hair and was wearing a green jacket on Saturday last.)

Unfortunately, it would seem that discrimination based on nationality is alive and well at Berghain.

I've been to many techno clubs all over Europe and I've never experienced anything like this.

Don't back down Richie - you're right to tell it like it is. Shame on them.

(PS We took a taxi to Watergate where we were admitted immediately and had a great night!)

Don't believe that the bouncer explains why you cannot get in. They often point at your clothes or your language skill. If you hear that, what you can do is just to leave from there cuz you cannot change it quickly. There are some other reasons why you cannot get in. They never tell us about them. They don't want you to be inside cuz of a reason. But they cannot tell you the reason. So they ask you something else, and then they just make another reason why you cannot get in. But that is not real reason.

Anyway I'm not German. I clearly don't look like German. I don't speak German well and English is also not my first language. I've been there more than 50 times. but I've never had any problem. When I go through the door, they don't say anything to me, for example, how many? or speak German? etc... They even don't look at me. I sometimes feel their neglectful action of me is very racial discrimination! But inside of the club, it is more international than Watergate.

Maybe they thought you looked like people who would complain, like you're saying now, if they didn't let you in. So they didn't let you in???? Maybe.....

They are strong, veeeeeery strong, stronger than Richie Hawtin. The German government supports Berghain. It means 82 millions German people support the club. you could knock out one of the bouncers. but cannot knock out 82 millions people you need to ask not Richie but the Irish government to destory the club!!!

They are trying to keep tourists out no big deal. If you let it fill with backpackers it would be like most of the people at clubs like matrix in berlin. And you probably think but wait im not a backpacker i a techno lover. They dont know that. The just assume. If you wanted to get in that bad you should have worked out how to say how many people in german. easy.

Its tough to get in its seem crazy but when you get in you understand why. i got lucky when i got in

hey people what's up with all this gossiping???
who cares

The Club = The Legend...

Who really cares..Why does this make headlines? I respect Ritchie and all, good dj and does alot for techno, but who cares about if he gets in a club. Is this turning into National Enquirer??? Let's get down to music.

Well this thread made for an interesting morning read... especially seeing as i made my first ever trip to Berghain / Panorama bar last Saturday after leaving Tresor at about 3am.
The queue was as expected rather long and the temperature was probably at least -10 with thick snow on the ground so you can imagine we didn't fancy waiting outside for too long. having spoken to friends who had visited successfully and unsuccessfully in the past all of my group of 5 knew exactly what we might be up against with gaining entrance so like many others in the queue stood uber patiently and quietly whilst the super fussy bouncers turfed about 50% of the waiting public away.
In all my 18 years of partying around the world ive never witnessed anything quite so intimidating and stressful in a club queue,
You could cut the atmosphere with a knife and see the tension written upon each and every persons face. It was like this for at least an hour in polar condtions, fucking ridiculous!
Amazingly all 5 of my group gained access to lets admit here, one of the best techno clubs in the world. That place is fucking incredible and the music was sublime. Especially worth nothing was Andre Galluzzi's set...OMFG..unreal!!
I was pleasantly surprised at how averagely priced the drinks were as well, more than i can say for some venues in Berlin and London....Fabric and Weekend for starters - pisstaking kuntz!

I've been to Berghain twice. It's an amazing space, but is TOTALLY over-rated as a club.

Don't know why people still question the door policy of berghain - it's one of the main factors that makes the atmosphere so agreable...

It's hard to fathom because they are so blunt, but the bouncers do seem to be professional in my opinion. The problem is you never get to hear the real reason you get rejected (as someone said esarlier)

I am really surprised to see how many people quote "Good to hear they treat everybody in the same way". Ego is a fucked up thing aint it?

Well I would give a bit more credit to Hawtin as he was one of the founders of music that is one of the reasons the club exists in the first place, then all other dudes that came to have a nice night out. I would give him just a "bit more credit".

Treating everyone the same way is just not fair. Give credit where credit is due.

And its stupid to argument that the club that has almost random door policy "treat everybody in the same way".

He's actually 2nd generation in Detroit framework. Yeah, he's pioneered a lot, but he does have a big ego at times, depends on who he's with, or how much sniff he's had!

* not that I'm saying he does drugs, or anyfink ... honest!

If you don't stop talking about this immediately, I will get the "berghain door policy" thread up again!

i say keep the dj booth for djs...

This is not always the case - i visited on 20 Feb, queued for 20 - 30mins around about 12.30pm on the Saturday, was wearing just a plain top, jeans, and discreet black trainers. I was with my cousin. We kept our heads down, hadnt been drinking, stood quietly in the queue, got to the front to be told 'you will not get in'. It seems to me that is a lottery as I watched around about 40% of the queue get knocked back, and it was never consistent it was completely random.

A disappointining end to a good visit in Berlin, ended up going to Tresor for the second night in a row, which was great but id been there the night before and had an amazing night but regret goin the same place twice. Im desparate to go to Berghain i live for techno and need to experience this place once in my life. If i ever get in itll probably make it that bit more special. But will i ever get in??

the same thing happened to me & my girlfriend last month, so all of the non-believers and the people who think its all "rumors" can sit down.
looking all normal, acting normal, we went on the 20th of february.
the doorman looked like a soldier from a dark regime we all want to forget.
leaving that, he looked at us, asked for the little tattooed midget (i bet his dick is as small as a peanut) to come and examine us with his eyes.
after a few seconds he told us in german that he cant accept us.
it was degrading and made a smelly end to a fair visit in Berlin.
why cant they open the main room - Panoramabar on thursdays / fridays and let more crowd get in ? for god sake.

why the heck is hawtin still out partying at 50 anyway ?

was great to see hawtin partying in panorama bar on sunday afternoon again - had to check i wasnt imagining things - i wasnt - lovely bloke

Hawtin is an unbelievable DJ and producer, but anyone who thinks they can act like their bigger than anyone else deserves to get thrown out..! Peace x

Having been to Berghain in 2008 with my Girlfriend. We knew all the rumours about the door cue, and stood for 20 mins waiting to find out if we'd be excepted. A mixed group of 3 ahead of us, were rejected. After this our hopes of getting in were at 0%. I can't remember if we were asked anything. But we were let in.

I can say without revealing anything of what goes on inside (what happens in Berghain stays in Berghain) that this is my favourite club hands down. (And I've been to pretty much all of the big ones on very special nights). I dream of going there again. But even the thought of rejection brings butterflies to my stomach.

The not knowing, combined with the atmosphere within the club makes it beyond anything any one who's never been can comprehend. And when those shutters open.... MUTHA FUCKING WOW, WHAT A MOMENT!!!

Richie is way too much, as well as all the other popular minus/cocoon ect djs ...

Keep it real and, kick out the fuckers!

The door is pretty simple. You can look through the line and see who's not getting in. It seems like a pretty democratic environment once you're in there. If someone's acting like an asshole, they should be removed. I think the bouncers do a great job at maintaining a certain vibe and energy in there.

pfoot.
soundcloud.com/dabecy/dabecy-11-2010/s-XBbex
hmm weird link doesn't work oh well.

I had my 'supplies' taken twice in the same night by some unscrupulous mongs ... admittedly, I was very wasted, so suppose that I would have been seen as easy pickings. One of the most expensive nights I've ever had!

it is as gay as your profile picture and yes they will incourage you to have sex.
what is this? doesn´t sound like it would be your place, i f you ask me. but you haven´t.

ps: what do i know about it ? i haven´t even been there and i´m straight...

Abso-fucking-lutely!

This place likes to champion it's self as some mystic, underground, exclusive, non commercial club with an over selective door policy..
But they will quite happily let you access their website and buy over priced merchandise...

Not interested!!

I'be been there.... I can tell it's a great place.... the atmosphere... indescribable... but, it's a shme that things like that happends..... I'm a Techno fan too, I can speak german, I live in Germany and that happenned to me too..... In my opion... there isn't any excuse

I went to Berghain 2 weekends in a row back in May 2011. Went five nights over the 2 weekends and never had any problems getting in (had the absolute best time of my life). If you want more details you can check my blog post out here:
www.thevlyhouse.com/2011/05/my-first-berghain-experience/
Something I didn't mention in my blog though is that I spoke with one of the bouncers who has been with Berghain since the beginning (not any of the scary former East Berliners). I was talking to him and trying to get some inside info.
-Even he admitted that the guys working the front door are way too harsh. Telling people "never come back" is too much - just say no. He mentioned the club has pissed off too many of the wrong people and that it could soon bite them in the ass.
-Recently undercover cops have been trying (and have succeeded) in getting into Berghain.
-The club is understaffed in terms of security. This is great because everyone can do what they went without feeling supervised, but this also means that if something really did go down - people breaking into a fight, problems in the bathrooms... - it could be a recipe for disaster, They have to be extra careful at the door to try and make sure nothing like that will happen.
-The people in here really do know how to party - sure they're out of their minds and you have people passed out all over the place (couches, outside), but I didn't see anyone sick or anything.
-The bouncers also regularly work 12-16 hour shifts and have 35 euro tabs while working - adding to the idea that it could really be a recipe for disaster.
-The government and surrounding neighborhoods are beginning to get slightly fed-up with the club.
-Berghain is sitting on a huuuuge pile of money, and while they have remained true to the music, greed is beginning to show itself.
-The bouncer said he thinks the club will only be around for another 2 years tops.

As much as the door policy really bums a lot of people out, I've never had more fun in my life (longest I spent there was 14 hours one go). The US is depressing now.

reading that, you get the sense that if Germany has health and safety regulations anywhere near as strict as they do here in the UK (which i have no idea if they do!) that there could be a few areas of contention with the powers that be....

still though if they had to make a few changes it surely wouldnt affect the atmosphere or the club itself in a major way? I'm not sure how greed is beginning to show itself, having only been to the pannebar once i suppose im not the best person to ask but i think the entry price and the drink prices are very reasonable.

aside from the incredible atmosphere i think the ability of the club to call upon a solid base of incredibly well respected residents has been the main reason for its success.

I didn't really understand the greed thing when he mentioned it, and I was kind of sad he did because I love the place so much and didn't want to hear anything to taint the image I had... (Berghain fanboy syndrome). But I think he was talking more about making the bouncers (and staff) work crazy hours, usually always going overtime. The open-ended policy for P Bar on Sundays and all... who wants to work as long as the party goes for?

agreed i mean the bouncers must be more than adequately compensated for their time and efforts (or must also love the club immensely!) to do what they do for such long hours.

@Algorhythm
man that was an amazing review of your visits to Berghain,i could seriously picture the vibe of the place & really sensed your excitement.Once again,well done.
i can only hope i get there one day.

My thoughts exactly, great review man. Hopefully I'll make it out there some day soon. My girlfriend has been a couple times and has had no issues getting in. Granted, shes a chick and German is her first language, but it's comforting to know that the the door policy is truly random and there doesn't appear to be a hidden agenda.

@Algorhythm: my gf & I were there the same day for the CLR party as well! Got there around midday on Sunday, when Tommy Four Seven was playing. No queue at the door, just a guy and a girl in front of us, not together. Both were rejected, when the girl asked "Why?" (in german), the doorman answered "Because I said so"... Didn't say anything to us at all, just waved us in. The atmosphere, the crowd, the music - everything was just as you described it, spot on. Thanks for the fantastic review, made me re-live a great weekend!