‘Typical after-hours vibe on the Waterfloor: this might have been taken during Watergate’s early minimalism era, around 2005. In terms of style, the people at the club today look much like they did back then.’
Watergate is one of Berlin’s most iconic clubs. After opening in 2002, it quickly became a popular spot for party enthusiasts, renowned not only for its exceptional music selection but also for its striking design. The outdoor terrace, a pier on the Spree, is reason enough for many to stay until sunrise and watch the city awaken while their own party continues well into the morning. Located on the edge of Kreuzberg, Watergate has shaped Berlin’s club culture like few other venues. DJ legends such as Ellen Allien, Goldie, Grooverider, Dixon, and Solomun have played in these former office spaces. But the party is almost over: on 31 December 2024, Watergate will host its final event after 22 years. With its closure, Berlin nightlife will lose a key institution, one that most will remember – if only hazily. To mark this occasion, SLEEK joins Ulrich Wombacher, one of Watergate’s managers, to revisit two decades of one of Berlin’s most important clubs in images and travel back in time to the club’s most memorable moments.
‘FULL HOUSE on the Waterfloor. At one point, we thought we smelt a fire, but no one could find anything. We had to be very careful there – nobody wants a fire, obviously! The next day we realised that nearly all the speakers had short-circuited because the DJs had been going so hard. The coils had heated up and the casing inside had pretty much melted… Good old times of recklessness. Since then, free ear plugs have been provided at the door for anyone who needs them.’
‘A few years ago, a guest actually managed to climb from Club der Visionäre across the Spree and onto our terrace after having been turned away at the door.’
‘The musical history of Watergate started out with Drum’n’Bass or Hip Hop parties before the now-typical Berlin sound took over and was further shaped by us, among others. In the photo, Grooverider is performing; the previous act had been Drum’n’Bass legend Goldie.’
‘For the 20th anniversary, we made a huge collage of old pictures of guests spanning the past two decades. We should really gather and archive all this material properly.’
‘With parties like Multisex or Mala Junta, we have seen broad range of fashion styles in recent years – ranging from high fashion to the brash Berlin 'Atzen' style.’
‘The calm before the storm. Once the doors open, the cloakroom becomes a hive of activity – and full of happy faces. People have made it into the club, arrive in high spirits, and are ready to embrace the night. An underrated and often overlooked aspect of the clubbing experience.’
