Wanderlust in Germany: With a subsiding economic crisis the German speaking Partysan community started travelling abroad again. Whereas last year six out of the ten best clubs where situated within German boarders this year fans raved more internationally. With the Berliner “Berghain” the only domestic club in 2013’s top ten made it to the number one spot.
Though the US – market for electronic music (or EDM, as it is called there) boomed in 2013 like never before all of the ten best clubs of the Partysan voting are still located in Europe.
Here are the results of over 40.000 received votes:
#10: FABRIK, Madrid
No other partynation is found more often in this voting than the Spanish. Of course Spain’s capital too has its notorious party hotspot: The Fabrik is situated at Madrid’s outer fringes with a capacity of 10 000 people, boasts a three-level stage and several video walls. As usual in Spanish clubs there is a big outdoor-terrace as well, even with its own river. Strangely enough it is Sunday afternoons when the most exuberant parties are held: The popular GOA events host international star DJs from the house- and techno-scene.
#9: REX CLUB, Paris
The French shouldn’t be too surprised about Ibiza’s steep drink prices as the Parisian clubs already charge similar sums. This French institution is worth a night out, though. The small, longish club under the Parisian streets was founded by Laurent Garnier and is notoriuos for its intimate and private atmosphere. The bar is only a footstep away from the dancefloor and the lineups are magnifique.
#8: TROUW, Amsterdam
Housed in a former printery this relatively new club oozes the decayed and dirty chic from the old days of warehouse-raves. The vast location is also used for concerts and accomodates a restaurant. But it is big techno raves that work best at the Trouw, especially since it is Amsterdam’s first club invested with a 24 hour licence.
#7: DC10, Ibiza
No other club in the world is as recognisable as the Italian led DC10 near the airport of our party island: The red-washed walls of its notorious terrace are synonymous with Ibiza’s underground scene. Apart from the well known Circoloco-Mondays this summer the club also hosted Jamie Jones‘ weekly party and special nights with Apollonia or Better lost than stupid (Buttrich, Tanzmann, Squillace).
#6: AMNESIA, Ibiza
Congratulations! With drink prices of 23 euros for a vodka – red bull or 12 euros for a water, often life threatening over-crowding and the same parties for over two years Amnesia has found its recipe for success 😉 However, with Cocoon, Marco Carola’s Music on and the British trance party Cream the club admittedly has popular promoters and its indoor-terrace at sunrise is an island-must.
#5: USHUAIA, Ibiza
“I won’t do that again”, criticised Sven Väth this club for its VIP-craze after he had played this year’s opening party. Especially chart-dance acts like David Guetta, Avicii and the Swedish House Mafia made the relatively new open air hotel-discotec popular. This year however, Loco Dice, Luciano and the new ANTS – parties brought new credibility and underground vibe to the venue and made Ushuaia number 5 in the voting.
#4: FABRIC, London
London’s rave institution is still popular among the German speaking ravers. Having made it through the disciplined cue (which can wind through several adjacent small streets on a weekend) you descend several stairs deep into the belly of this techno bunker. All major Djs in the world have played at least once on one of its several floors on different levels and Fabric’s top-class mix compilation is renowned even beyond British borders.
#3: STUDIO 80, Amsterdam
Two clubs from the Dutch capital made it into this year’s top 10 and make Amsterdam worth a visit, especially in autumn during the ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event). In the middle of Amsterdam’s city center this dark underground – club behind heavy doors hosts international techno-biggies as well as Dutch newcomers. At the ADE 2013 Chris Liebing, Laurent Garnier, Ricardo Villalobos, Dubfire and Loco Dice all had their showcases at Studio 80.
#2: SPACE, Ibiza
After some difficult years this Ibizan institution has found its way back into German hearts. Especially parties like Richie Hawtin’s ENTER, Carl Cox‘ Revolution and the legendary We love Space every Sunday make the clubs 5 floors popular. And with the Kehakuma party every Saturday also real underground vibes were spread this year, with young talents like Organ Grinder, Edu Imbernon, Dinky and Lee Curtiss. Who knows, maybe only its good old terrace-after hours are missing to make Space number one again.
#1: BERGHAIN, Germany
Congratulations! Not only is the Berghain the only German club in the voting but also the favourite of the German speaking Partysan community. Dozens of myths and rumours surround this Berlin partymekka and thousands of partytourists from all over the world flock to its doors, often only to be rejected by the notouriously ‚eclectic‘ door policy. Everybody who makes it into the club though usually stays there for a day or two. But that is all we’d like to tell you as you know the old saying: What happens at Berghain, stays at Berghain.