Berlin local government seeks public spaces for open-air club events

Each of Berlin’s 12 district mayors have been called upon by the city’s local government to seek out open-air spaces that are fit to safely host club events amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a measure that many have speculated is a response to an increase in illegal open-air parties in the city in recent months, mayors have been asked to consider parks, streets and even sports hall that might be fit for such events in a bid to help the city’s ailing nightlife industry. Many of the illegal events that have cropped up in the city have taken place without respecting local coronavirus guidelines, so it’s hoped that these events might provide an alternative under more hygienic and appropriate conditions.

Many of Berlin’s clubs have also been applying increasing pressure for support from the local government. Despite a recent €30 million aid package for cultural venues which the government has said it will double over the next two months, many venues say that they are still struggling to stay afloat without much-needed revenue.

“Berlin misses its diverse club scene,” the city’s economics minister Ramona Pop told the Berliner Morgenpost. “Clubs and bars are suffering economically during the corona crisis. We want to create legal opportunities to party in public areas for the clubs and Berliners.”

It’s expected that Berlin’s clubs will be put in charge of running the events, giving them a chance to try to make some profit.

Despite this move from Berlin’s local government, the national government announced this week that a ban on large-scale events would be extended from the end of October until the end of the year.

In an attempt to use its space while its unable to host club events, Berghain recently announced plans to launch an art exhibition inside the venue.

Earlier this month, a new contact tracing app was launched in Berlin, specifically to be used by clubs.

For more on how coronavirus is impacting the electronic music scene, read our recent feature on the future of techno tourism.