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Watergate, in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin.
Watergate, in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin. Photograph: Carsten Koall/Getty Images
Watergate, in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin. Photograph: Carsten Koall/Getty Images

DJ Daley Padley, aka Hot Since 82, on Watergate, Berlin

This article is more than 9 years old

The DJ always loves playing this Berlin club, with its fantastic crowd and magical sunrise over the river

This has to be one of my favourite places to play music. It’s a small club perched on the banks of Berlin’s River Spree. Outside, the Wall stands fragmented alongside the stunning architecture of the Oberbaum bridge; but it’s inside where the fun begins.

The first time I played at Watergate, I was on downstairs, on the riverfront, and the place was packed. It’s quite easy to overthink what you’re going to play, but I just did my thing and the set went really well. The crowd are a mix of locals and worldwide techno tourists that come here especially for underground music and a sense of unity like no other. DJs can really push the boundaries of what they play and the crowd will be receptive, which is a special thing.

The riverside club has two floors and a floating terrace overlooking the Oberbaum Bridge. Photograph: Alamy

The real magic happens as dawn breaks, when the dancefloor is slowly lit up by rays of sunlight flickering across the water. It’s such a beautiful location. It feels organic, it’s just you, the music and the river. A truly unique experience.

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