Berlin's Oldest Gay Dance Club Bankrupt

[PeterRS]

SchuwZ, said to be Berlin's oldest and biggest gay dance club has finally declared bankruptcy according to a post on Instagram. It was founded in 1977 and had been suffering financially for some years. Rising rents, declining attendance generally in the Berlin Club scene (especially an ageing core clientele) and the failure of a crowd-funding campaign which raised only €3,000 of a €150,000 target have all done nothing to help lower the monthly deficit of between €30,000-€60,000.  Despite all this SchutZ hopes ways might be found for it remain open.

The dying nighclub scene in Berlin became more pronounced last year. The gay and lesbian Busche Club which opened in 1988 and catered to a more international crowd finally closed. On New Year's Eve Watergate closed after 22 years. Wild Renate has announced plans to close at the end of this year. A planned motorway extension also poses a further threat to several popular clubs in the area around Ostkreuz railway station. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/02/schwuz-berlin-germany-oldest-biggest-gay-nightclub-declares-bankruptcy

[TheBossBabyback]

On 8/2/2025 at 10:04 PM, PeterRS said:

SchuwZ, said to be Berlin's oldest and biggest gay dance club has finally declared bankruptcy according to a post on Instagram. It was founded in 1977 and had been suffering financially for some years. Rising rents, declining attendance generally in the Berlin Club scene (especially an ageing core clientele) and the failure of a crowd-funding campaign which raised only €3,000 of a €150,000 target have all done nothing to help lower the monthly deficit of between €30,000-€60,000.  Despite all this SchutZ hopes ways might be found for it remain open.

The dying nighclub scene in Berlin became more pronounced last year. The gay and lesbian Busche Club which opened in 1988 and catered to a more international crowd finally closed. On New Year's Eve Watergate closed after 22 years. Wild Renate has announced plans to close at the end of this year. A planned motorway extension also poses a further threat to several popular clubs in the area around Ostkreuz railway station. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/02/schwuz-berlin-germany-oldest-biggest-gay-nightclub-declares-bankruptcy

Does this mean other clubs will be less stuffy about all the costumes and vibes you need to have at the door of hot Berlin clubs? 

[Riobard]

Uh, that trends sounds to have been morally bankrupt.