The Best Clubs for Electronic Music in Hamburg

Once a lost-and-found office for the Deutsche Bahn, underground club Fundbureau is one of Hamburg’s hottest locations for electronic music. Housed in a vaulted cellar beneath a railway bridge and covered in graffiti, this club presents a one-of-a-kind ambience. At the same time, the highly professional venue hosts famous DJs and talented newcomers and offers a wide programme that includes famous Russian-themed datscha parties, night flea markets and, of course, excellent concerts and festivals.

Across the street from the Fundbureau, the younger Waagenbau is another excellent underground club. Under passing trains in two vaulted underground rooms, the party crowd dances to house, electro and techno music, with some drum’n’bass, reggae, soul and hip-hop mixed in for good measure. In the summers, the Waagenbau team operates the Central Park beach club down the street, offering an urban oasis in the middle of the bustling Schanze district.

On a side street of Hamburg’s famous party mile lies one of the city’s longest-running party venues, the Prinzenbar. Chandeliers, mirrors, cherubs, stucco decorations and plush sofas adorn the baroque-style establishment known for its live music and DJ sets. While the club’s live programme is dominated by indie music and singer-songwriters, electro, house, and techno beats set the mood of the Prinzenbar’s legendary party nights.
Prinzenbar, Kastanienallee 20, Hamburg, Germany, +49 40 3178 8310

Prinzenbar | © ILOVE Photography / Courtesy of Prinzenbar

The striking new Klubhaus St. Pauli in the heart of the St. Pauli district is home to a theatre, escape room, laser tag as well as several bars and clubs. Among them is the Bahnhof Pauli, an electro club that’s (as its name suggests) designed as a metro station: graffiti on the walls, a bar built from an old metro wagon, laser lights, disco balls and chandeliers, the club presents plenty of urban charm. Every September, the Bahnhof Pauli serves as a concert venue for the the Reeperbahn Festival – the biggest club festival in Germany.

Another popular electronic music location around Hamburg’s ‘most sinful mile‘ is the Baalsaal. The small underground club is among the hottest locations for techno, house and electro music fans. The club’s turntables are played by up-and-coming DJs as well as established artists and international stars like Tiga. Baalsaal’s own label, Jeudi Records, takes over the dance floor every Thursday with a wide range of electronic music and brings in famous names like Doctor Dru and Davidé.
Baalsaal, Reeperbahn 25, Hamburg, Germany, +49 40 9479 3295

Baalsaal | © Stardust GmbH

The Hafenklang nightclub on the shore of River Elbe is one of Hamburg’s legendary party locations. The club’s historic building once served as a horse stable and became an artists’ hot spot in the 1970s thanks to the city’s first modern recording studio. Today Hafenklang is an iconic club renowned for its diverse concert and party programme. Live acts and DJs cover everything from punk, rock, metal, ska to hip-hop, dub and dancehall, so electronic music is not dominant here. But Hafenklang’s frequent electro nights guarantee an unforgettable time.

Another unmatched party location is the Uebel & Gefährlich, a club housed in a giant former Nazi bunker and counts among the best live clubs in Germany. In fact, it’s two clubs in one – the Ballsaal and the Turmzimmer often host different events on the same night. In addition to a vivid live music programme, the Uebel & Gefährlich is distinguished by its high-profile club nights with excellent national and international DJs spinning techno and house beats. Music is also occasionally played outside on the terrace, the city skyline offering the best backdrop in Hamburg.
Uebel & Gefährlich, Feldstrasse 66, Hamburg, Germany, +49 40 3179 3610

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In Hamburg, great electronic music can also be found outside the typical party areas of St. Pauli and Sternschanze. The Club du Nord in the scenic Winterhude district hosts party nights on two floors with alternating international and local top DJs. The club’s forte is house and electro music, and it hosts the Schwarze Nacht (Black Night), the best Wednesday party in the country.
Club du Nord, Dorotheenstrasse 33, Hamburg, Germany, +49 40 2780 6225

Last, but definitely not least, the H1 Club in northeast Hamburg is one of the biggest and best that the city has to offer. A mixed party crowd flocks to the club’s regular events, like the exclusive Royal Wednesday and Saturday’s ‘H1 – Where the Magic Happens’ parties. H1 Club boasts performances by world-class DJs like Armin van Buuren, David Guetta and Tiësto. The electro beats are enhanced by modern technology composed of LED and LCD walls, animations and other effects.
H1 Club & Lounge, Conventstrasse 8–10, Hamburg, Germany, +49 40 8060 7692

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