The club scene in the region is having a tough time. Apparently, young people are going to clubs less often and are looking for cheaper alternatives. This is also due to the corona pandemic.
Experiencing concerts, partying with friends and dancing the night away – that’s all part of going to a club. In Tübingen, however, the choice isn’t particularly large, some people think. And recently a club in the old town had to close: the Butterbrezel. The reason: too high costs and too little income. The fact that clubs are disappearing and nightlife is declining can also be seen in other cities. Why is that?
Club operator in Tübingen: Nightlife has changed
The former operator of the Butterbrezel says that nightlife itself has changed considerably. He has also felt the effects of the corona pandemic. Clubs had to close for a long time without exception. People have found other ways to party.
A popular place for young people in Tübingen to celebrate: The Old Botanical Garden, or “Bota” for short. SWR
Young people in Tübingen no longer go to clubs to party
Daniel Krieg from the Tübingen club “Schwarzes Schaf” can confirm this. The “Schaf” is actually a place that is very full even during the week. “We don’t have that so often anymore,” he says. According to Krieg, many young people prefer to party outside. “The Botanical Garden, for example, is very often full.” In addition, everything has become more expensive.
You also don’t want to spend the money you used to spend.
Daniel Krieg has an idea how to attract more people to clubs again: with more events that are well thought out.
DASDING on site asked young people in Tübingen whether they still go to clubs:
City of Tübingen: Number of clubs in Tübingen has decreased
According to a spokeswoman for the city of Tübingen, the number of clubs has decreased in recent years. The effects of the corona pandemic are also evident: “Closures and restrictions were difficult to implement or cope with economically.” The city is keen to strengthen the nightlife industry.
Balingen: The city’s last club had to close in spring
Other cities are also struggling with club closures. In the spring, the Top10 in Balingen was hit. A consequence of the general “death of clubs,” writes the city. Although there are various offers in Balingen to boost nightlife, one club has not existed since the Top10 closed. The city now wants to help in the search for a successor.
Baden-Wurttemberg
Corona pandemic, inflation and co. Clubs dying out in BW: Are students going out partying less?
First Corona, then inflation – the club scene in Baden-Württemberg has not had it easy for years. One theory: young people in particular are going to clubs less often.
A spirit of optimism in Reutlingen: Is nightlife coming back?
Reutlingen is not exactly known for having a thriving nightlife. But the city is currently in good spirits.
The process of “club death” in Reutlingen is a long time ago. However, the current developments in the city center have created a spirit of optimism.
The city beach in the Bürgerpark, the Echaz terraces, the Echaz harbor and new gastronomic formats – these are attractive to young people, writes StaRT, responsible for city marketing and tourism in Reutlingen. They support the establishment of new and young nightlife offerings. And with the P&K, the LaFontaine and the Nachtfabrik, they already have a few clubs.
Are clubs part of the cultural scene?
Die Initiative #clubsAREculture is committed to recognizing music clubs as cultural venues and putting them on an equal footing with theaters or museums. And clubs are also important cultural venues for the city of Reutlingen. Clubs are a “soft location factor that should not be underestimated,” according to the Office for Economic Affairs and Real Estate. For the city administrations of Tübingen and Balingen, however, they are primarily not cultural venues, but rather places of entertainment and social meeting points. For this reason, clubs in Tübingen are not supported by the Department of Art and Culture.
Club deaths are a BW-wide problem
The fact that more and more clubs have to close is also evident in other cities. According to the night economic study Stuttgartpublished in 2023, 50 percent of Stuttgart’s bars and clubs see their existence threatened.
