It follows the news that the Friedrichshain venue will permanently close after a 22-year run, with its founder citing ‘financial pressures’.
Berlin clubbing institution Watergate has announced that it will close its doors for the final time at the end of 2024. Located on Falckensteinstraße in Friedrichshain and overlooking the River Spree, the club has been open for 22 years.
The club has announced a ‘Farewell Watergate’ closing programme, running until New Year’s Eve, with the likes of Etapp Kyle, Sama’ Abdulhadi and Sven Väth set to play over the club’s final months. Watergate will also host an Antidote party headlined by DJ Minx, a NUDE event with Call Super and Inner Lakes, alongside other external parties.
Speaking to RA, the club’s founder Ulrich Wombacher cited increasing costs and financial pressures were the main reason behind its closing, having been open since 2002.
“Unfortunately, the realities of inflation, the energy crisis, rising costs in general, and, not least, the high rent for this beautiful location in the heart of the city at Oberbaumbrücke on the Spree, caught up with us,” he said.
“We’re facing enormous financial pressure, which ultimately led us to the decision not to extend the club’s lease,” he continued.
“Continuing blindly without sense or reason and risking an uncontrolled financial decline is out of the question for us. We’ve chosen to step down while we still have control and to leave the stage with dignity.”
