No Photo Policy in Clubs
Hype or a valid rule?
Not so long ago, mobile phones with cameras capable of capturing the dark club environment didn’t exist—at least not in a discreet way. As technology progressed, some club owners took this issue personally, ultimately banning phones from the dancefloor and prohibiting photography inside their venues. This is how the No-Photo-Policy began.
The Berghain Precedent
Berghain, often referred to as “the big B,” was one of the first clubs to implement a strict no-photo policy. This legendary techno institution opened its doors in Berlin in 2006. By 2009, DJ Mag had selected it as the number-one club worldwide. This brought unprecedented attention to a venue that broke the mold of mainstream establishments (like Las Vegas’ Hakkasan) typically dominating the top rankings. Even though Berghain no longer holds the top spot, many still consider it the world’s best (techno) club.
This historical context helps explain why Berghain became a must-visit destination for Berlin tourists. As with most sightseeing experiences, visitors naturally wanted to take photos as mementos or to share on social media. However, this practice created tension with regular guests, particularly given Berghain’s heritage as the successor to Ostgut. A venue renowned for its uninhibited, boundary-pushing parties. The freedom to do whatever you want, with whomever, without judgment. Ranging from fetish and sex parties to drug excesses. This is what brought people to the Ostgut and still brings them to Berghain. But taking photos of such societal “No-go’s” is fatal and scares people away.
Clubs that protect guests’ privacy by means of a strict photography prohibition ensure that the participants of the events show more openness and act without a façade. Thus, the musical experience and the personal interaction with like-minded people is at the forefront.
— Lutz Leichsenring (Speaker Berlin Clubcommission)
They fear to pop up on social media, which might cost them job, family or dignity. Especially clubs with quality electronic music (should) act as an open-minded space following the ideals of libertinism. The documentation of illegal or activities through photography posed a serious threat to this safe space, potentially driving away the very community that made the club special. It can’t be guaranteed that if a photo is taken maybe someone in the background doesn’t want to be in it.
When Rules Become Trends
The big B got significant public attention initially through its DJ Mag ranking, but also through its distinctive rules—the no-photo policy and notoriously selective door policy. From a mainstream perspective, these rules seemed outlandish and unprecedented: a club rejecting potential patrons because the doorman deemed they wouldn’t fit in or couldn’t handle the lifestyle of other guests inside. A secret location with virtually no existing pictures? Yet the concept proved successful, and as with any successful business model, competitors rushed to adopt similar approaches.
I don’t blindly endorse everything that trendy clubs implement. Recently, I’ve observed numerous venues attempting to replicate no-photo policies or selective door practices, but only a few implement these meaningfully. For the rest, it comes across as contrived—making them appear desperate to emulate success rather than understanding the underlying purpose.
Not every city shares Berlin’s unique atmosphere. Different locations foster different mentalities, and only some communities genuinely embrace the open-mindedness that allows people to let go, express their feelings, and explore their sexuality freely.
During my studies I moved from Berlin to Munich—perhaps the most dramatic shift in mindset possible within Germany. Munich embodies conservatism, a characteristic reflected in its clubs and their patrons. It’s only natural that people raised in such a conservative environment carry those values subconsciously. When a city maintains a repressive stance, you can’t expect residents to suddenly behave differently despite club features like photo bans.
Whether photography is permitted or strictly prohibited, a venue remains fundamentally just a club. Ultimately, guests determine their own behavior, choosing what they will and won’t do regardless of official policies.
The Three Stages of No-Photo Policies
Usually, there are three categories the no-photo policies fall into.
Loose:
The first stage of no-photo policies is perhaps the most contradictory: the rule exists on paper but not in practice. You’ll see the prohibition clearly stated at the entrance, yet once inside, people freely snap pictures with no intervention from staff. This represents a prime example of venues attempting to project a “cool” image without the commitment to enforce their own rules.
To these clubs, I say: just remove the sign. Nothing will change—clubs without clear stances on photography have always existed and continue to thrive without issue. The absurdity reaches its peak when a venue records and publishes videos of their club nights on social media while their own no-photo sign is visible in the background.
This disconnect between stated policy and actual enforcement creates an environment of confusion and undermines the club’s credibility. Patrons quickly recognize the performative nature of such rules, which can diminish respect for the venue’s overall ethos.
Medium strict:
Two examples that pop into my mind are Robert Johnson in Frankfurt and Watergate in Berlin. You won’t immediatly get kicked out of the club for snapping a picture. But if someone of the staff sees you taking one, they’ll ask you to delete it, after which you then can continue partying.
This nuanced approach often works very well. There are people who just want to capture a moment. Still, they are aware of the rules and either restrict filming by a lot or just won’t do it at all. We are a modern society which means that we constantly evolve. Photography has become a part of that and it’s fine. I personally love to take some pictures of the venue if I’m there for the first time.
At the same time, this prevents people from just mindlessly recording the whole night and disturbing others. We’ve all seen the videos of Keinemusik or Afterlife Zombies doing nothing except standing there for the entire evening and posting their shitty stories. It not only makes their night out pointless but also disturbs others by killing the vibe.
That is the beauty of this moderate approach: it sets boundaries. It feels as if more and more people only care about showing off. Instead of enjoying the party, participating, and contributing, it only matters to document it. Nowaday,s it feels as if at least a moderate policy on photography is required to ensure a decent party. Focus on living the moment instead of capturing it!
strict:
The prime example for this one is Berghain, sure. But also, some other clubs — often coming from the fetish scene, e.g., KitKat, Club Raum, Blitz. Most of these clubs have darkrooms so you can guess why they don’t want pictures to leak. You enter the club, your smartphone camera gets taped, and you’ll be told multiple times that you aren’t allowed to take pictures inside. If you break that rule, you’ll get thrown out of the club and sometimes even receive a permanent ban.
I get it! These clubs have that approach. Their intense sexual and drug-induced crowd. Often gays who for a long time in history were living in the shadows and feared public exposure of their sexuality. Such a mentality does not simply go away. With Berghain the fact that the lowest floor — The Laboratory — is a hardcore fetish club plays a big role. Photos of that shouldn’t be taken! And I am sure every guest wholeheartedly agrees.
What is the right approach?
Since nothing can be prevented 100% someone will always manage to break your rule unpunished. And as for other clubs. I don’t think it is necessary to have such an aggressive no photo policy. Club owners, take a look at your crowd; take a look at the mentality of your city. Is the stuff happening here so crazy and intense that no photo makes sense? Is it really necessary to kick someone out who breaks this trendy rule? Can you justify that? What is the right approach for YOUR crowd?
And you. Dear clubbers. Take a look at yourself. Why are you snapping pictures? Do you want to snap a quick memory? Might it be too much? Can it be that other people are seen that wouldn’t want that? Would you be fine if pictures of you in a fucked up state leak?
Take some pictures (if morally acceptable). Turn off your flash and be careful not to bother someone else. Then put your phone away and enjoy your night!
Why would I watch my phone when I could listen to the band? Who even looks at these terrible, low quality videos after the fact?
Otherwise, I can assure you: no one cares about your club stories! Snaps out of a party always look the same, and no one will be impressed. We aren’t underage. If someone wants to go to a club, that’s no big deal. Your photos will most likely be blurry, and your videos distorted. Save yourself the hassle.
A night away from social media. By turning of your phone and taking a break. Talking to new people — to strangers. That’s how you’ll impress someone and you’ll entertain others making their experience at the club even more pleasant. You should try it. It will blow your mind!
A last rule which I think should be respected by everybody: Please don’t take photos at a (club) after-hour. Timewise the after-hour starts when the sun comes up. It’s getting brighter, the atmosphere relaxes even more, and in my opinion, the after-hours are the most fun and socially open times of your night out. But since everyone has been out partying for multiple hours, no matter if they are drunk, drugged out, or sober. They will look wasted and sweaty! Everyone looks that way! Please respect the people and don’t take pictures of their not very glamourous appearance!
