The 10 best clubs for techno parties and raves - Ruhr Area Edition

Tresor.west in Dortmund is a hotspot for techno and electronic club culture. Since its opening in 2019, it has been offering friends of electronic dance music an authentic rave experience with a focus on underground sounds. And if the name Tresor sounds somehow familiar to you... yes, the club is the Ruhrpott offshoot of the legendary Tresor Club in Berlin. As part of the Tresor family, Tresor.West also stands for the promotion of local artists and a safe, non-discriminatory space. At the beginning of 2025, the club introduced the so-called "Community Nights" in response to the financial challenges the club is currently facing.

In the heart of Bochum's city center, hidden in the basement of the old Schlegel brewery, hums the heart of the electronic scene: the Schlegel Kultur Club. This is where house and techno meet industrial charm and disco balls meet raw brick walls. The well-preserved light green tiles of the former canteen provide a large portion of retro charm and the exciting lighting concept ensures a pulsating club experience. Also top: the staff, who ensure that the club remains the safe space that it is. In addition to raves, the Schlegel Kultur Club also hosts other dance events and concerts by regional and international artists.

If you're looking for first-class techno events with top-class line-ups in the Ruhr region, you can't go past JunkYard. The club, which was transformed from a junkyard into an alternative cultural center in 2016, has long been an integral part of the scene. The industrial charm, modern sound and lighting technology and the mix of indoor and outdoor areas make the JunkYard the perfect backdrop for long nights full of driving beats. But the JunkYard is more than just a club. It is a safe place to be with friends, party and experience culture. In addition to techno parties, it also hosts concerts, theme parties, comedy events and much more - always with an extra dose of love for subculture.

"The Hotel Shanghai is a place to hide away and a catwalk at the same time. A club with a program away from the mainstream, but which always fascinates precisely that." This is how the club describes itself - and hits the nail on the head. Hotel Shanghai was founded in 2003 by Kay Löber, known as Kay Shanghai. It is located on the premises of the former "Kalei" on Steeler Straße and has since developed into a unique meeting place for lovers of independent and electro culture. The club places particular emphasis on quality and creative events that blur the boundaries between music, art and culture. The atmosphere in the small, but fine club is intimate and relaxed. The lighting and sound technology is outstanding. In addition to the legendary club nights, other events such as theme parties and concerts also take place here.

In the middle of an inconspicuous residential street (Goethestraße, of course), hidden in a former air raid shelter, lies one of the last bastions of the techno underground scene in the Pott: the Goethebunker. The outside is solid reinforced concrete with a turbulent past, while the inside is a raw, gloomy space - perfect for techno parties. But as dark and intense as the atmosphere is, the people who fill this place with life are all the warmer, warmer and more relaxed. The crowd is diverse, the bouncers open and friendly - it's the vibe that counts here, not the attitude.

Deep under Westenhellweg, right in the heart of Dortmund, lies Stollen 134 - a name that refers to Dortmund's history as a mining town. Opened in 2022, the club has quickly become a fixture on the scene and an Eldorado for techno fans. Local and international DJs, accompanied by an energetic atmosphere, ensure bass-driven, wild nights. The high ceilings and open architecture create a feeling of freedom, which is reinforced by the open clientele. The DJs offer a varied program - from techno to hard techno to goa, depending on the event, the whole range of the electronic palette is played.

The Rotunde in Bochum is a unique off-location in the heart of the city and serves as a subcultural meeting place for the creative scene. After its long-awaited comeback in June 2017, it has become an important meeting point for lovers of electronic music, especially techno. The historic station building was deliberately not completely renovated. Instead, signs of decay - such as unplastered walls and graffiti - were retained and combined with modern paintings and light installations, giving the rotunda a unique charm. It is not only techno fans who meet here for exuberant parties, but also people interested in art and culture to experience concerts, art exhibitions or flea markets. The musical program ranges from house and techno to hip-hop and dancehall and is therefore just as diverse as the audience.

Oma Doris is Dortmund's oldest club and probably the most unique in the entire Ruhr region. Originally opened as "Tanzcafé Hösl", it was renamed Oma Doris in 2013 - in honor of its founder Doris Schulenkorf. Today, the club is run by her grandson and has long since become an institution in Dortmund's club scene. The premises of Oma Doris are a real gem: with its nostalgic charm and original furnishings from the 1960s, the club exudes a cosy, almost homely atmosphere. Musically, Oma Doris offers a varied program. While the repertoire ranges from house and reggae to 80s pop, the club has a firm place in the techno scene in particular. Techno parties are held here regularly, where local and international DJs make the dance floor shake. The atmosphere is just as unique as the club itself: a mixture of nostalgia, energy and unmistakable charm.

Located directly on Kurt-Schumacher-Platz, the Schumacher Club is the place to be when it comes to techno and clubbing culture. To this end, it relies on a modern and open approach, which is reinforced by a varied program and, above all, an international line-up. The premises, the first-class Funktion One sound system and the lively location in the heart of Bochum create a unique atmosphere that keeps you going all night long. The club is entirely dedicated to techno and house events, although other electronic genres regularly make an appearance. DJs spinning vinyl provide the perfect sound. There is also a no-photo policy - because it's all about the pure experience here. Access is also permitted from the age of 21.

The latest addition to the club scene is SNRS, which opened its doors this year as the successor to Silent Dinner on Möllerbrücke. SNRS is the answer to the call for modern, unconventional club culture - and a 36-hour party at the opening proved that no compromises are made here - everything from groove to trance to hard techno was on offer. But the SNRS Club is much more than just a party location: in addition to wild club nights, it also hosts cultural events such as readings and creative courses. The aim of the SNRS Club is to create a space that goes far beyond a mere nightclub - a cultural living room for Dortmund, where a variety of experiences and encounters are possible. The same applies here: no photos or videos while partying.