German Clubs are a big part of youth culture

As a dazzling array of multi-colored lights shine across a sea of bobbing heads, the beat suddenly drops behind an ethereal voice, and the House music literally makes the house come alive.

Clubbing in Germany is a definitive part of the youth culture, and Germany happens to hosts some of the best night-clubs in the world. So if you’re in Germany and you like to dance, or even just appreciate a good DJ spinning his magic, I would highly recommend checking out a club or two. Here are some tips for getting in, staying in, and having a great time!

First, know what kind of music you want and where it is playing. Essentially every club has an individual website where they post their specials and programs. Some clubs will alternate music styles depending on the night and some clubs are strictly one genre. It is important to know, because the music often dictates the kind of crowd that will show up, and to a certain extent how you are going to dance that evening.

Once you know where you want to go, dress the part. If you feel like hearing house and techno, do not roll up to the club in a fitted hat and a basketball jersey. And if you hitting up the hip hop club, you might not want your tightest jeans on and your hair in gelled up spikes.

This leads to my next, and probably most important, point: Bouncers like to say no to people in Germany.

The majority of young people are out and about every weekend, and clubs are always full, so you want to look like you should be in the club, otherwise you will receive a quick “Nein” (no) and will be directed to walk down the rejection aisle away from the door. The Bouncers will say no to you for a variety of reasons. Probably the most common is if you appear too drunk. Secondly if you are not dressed according to that club’s dress code, third if they don’t like the ratio of boys to girls (one should aim for at least a 1:1 ratio) and finally if there are too many people in your group (anything over 6 is risky.) If you are told no, take it politely, and do not argue.

Here, bouncers are kings in their castles, and the last thing you want is a 300-pound muscular man angry at you, especially when he has three more friends that look like him right inside the door.


Furthermore, if you are polite, he might let you in next weekend but if you are rude he will remember, and you can say goodbye to your chances of ever getting in that particular club.

Once you are in, relax! Check your coat (generally 1 Euro,) and then let the music wash over you. If you are smart, you can put one coat in another and check two people’s coats at the same time, saving time in the line and a bit of money. Just remember to leave with your friend whose coat is with yours, and don’t lose your coat number!

If you’re thirsty, head over to the bar, but beware, the prices in a club can be quite high. Therefore, I recommend taking it slow, asking about specials of the evening, and not ordering cocktails unless you have a “ballin’” budget. Personally, I like to order beer if anything, because it is always the cheapest drink on the menu, takes the most volume to make you drunk, and in Germany it really is the best in the world. We aren’t talking Bud Lite here.

Just remember it is harder to dance with a glass or bottle in your hand so know when to skip the bar and head for the dance floor!

When you’re on the dance floor, try to dance to the music that’s playing. If its house, throw your hands up and do your thing, and if its Hip Hop grind like we do in the USA. If its rock, head bang and if it’s Spanish music, move those hips! Viel Spaß!

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