For a year, the nightlife in Berlin is largely at a standstill. Can club openings in Berlin in the pandemic eventually succeed again? Clubcommission presents a six-point plan for offering safe events in the future.
No wave of bankruptcies so far – new prospects for club openings in Berlin?
Berlin's Clubcommission, the central association of Berlin's nightlife, has 300 members. That however does not take place at present, the clubs and culture locations in the city celebrate twelve months after the first Lockdown no parties, but a sad anniversary.
The fact that it has not yet come to a large bankruptcy wave, is due to the emergency aid programs of federation and country, to loans and to the donation readiness of the Clubganger*innen. Club death seems to have been averted so far, no final closure has yet been reported among the members of the Clubcommission. Only the dance floors of the clubs, they are just empty, as a photo book shows.
Pilot project to test strategy
How club openings in Berlin can succeed? The association is looking for prospects. One of them is the "pilot project testing": from 19. March, selected cultural events take place to check out procedures and explore options. The Clubcommission is also involved and, in cooperation with the Holzmarkt, is offering an event in the "Saalchen" on 27 September. March to.
The project is intended to serve as a test of Berlin's rapid-testing strategy: Admission is only possible with a daily negative antigen rapid test. Mandatory testing applies to the audience as well as all contributors to the event. In April, the data will be evaluated together with the Senate Department for Culture and Europe, on this basis, a scenario for the club opening will be developed. "This is a small but important step to be able to create a perspective for the entire industry again after one year," said Clubcommission Chair Pamela Schobeb.
Six-point plan for clubs
Meanwhile, the pilot project does not mean a general opening of clubs. But it fits into the six-point plan for safe nightlife presented by the Clubcommission. In addition to quick tests, online portals and apps, the use of green spaces and concept testing at test events are part of the strategy. "The next few months will continue to be a major challenge for us, but at least we now have a perspective," says Lutz Leichsenring of the Clubcommission, who also hopes that the administration will exhaust its discretionary powers. The individual points of the plan are
- Risk management planning: a central platform with information on hygiene concepts and currently valid regulations is being considered.
- Smart apps and technologies: entry controls should be standardized and managed with apps. Technological solutions should also be available for information on rapid test results.
- Special arrangements and pilot events: Other events such as the concert in the Saalchen are to be held as test events – in clubs and on green spaces. Opening hours for outdoor spaces should be able to be flexible.
- Monitoring: Systematic recording of key figures when there are club openings. This includes the collection of visitor numbers, surveys about the going out behavior and the overview of the economic situation of the organizers and club operators.
- Scientific exchange: the fifth point of the plan is to participate in research projects to develop innovations.
- Information campaign: For club openings in Berlin, the Club Commission envisages multimedia information on responsible participation in events.
Last year, the organizers* tested how club openings can work in Berlin. In summer, numerous outdoor areas were used as beer gardens and open-air events were organized. The Clubcommission's six-point plan could be used to better coordinate such events and respond more quickly to regulations, restrictions and infectious events with digital solutions.