Tresor

The Legacy

Tresor is Berlin techno history incarnate. Founded in 1991 in the vault of the former Wertheim department store near Potsdamer Platz, it became ground zero for Detroit techno's arrival in reunified Berlin. Legends like Jeff Mills, Juan Atkins, Blake Baxter, and Underground Resistance cemented Tresor's reputation as the bridge between Motor City and Berlin. After closure in 2005, Tresor reopened in 2007 in the Heizkraftwerk Mitte (a decommissioned power plant on Köpenicker Straße), where it continues to define underground techno culture.

The Venue

The current location spans a massive industrial complex with three distinct floors. The most iconic is the Vault - the basement techno floor reached through a 30-meter-long tunnel. This raw concrete bunker preserves the spirit of the original Tresor, complete with the actual steel lockers from the Wertheim department store. Upstairs, Globus focuses on house music with a more open, spacious design and superior acoustics. The third floor, +4Bar (also called NDD - New Dance Department), hosts experimental electronic music and live performances. A sprawling outdoor area provides summer relief.

The Sound System

Tresor installed a custom Lambda Labs system across all floors. The Globus floor features TX-3A main speakers, DH-18 subwoofers, and CX-2A monitors, all integrated with Lambda's proprietary broadband absorbers for exceptional clarity. The system uses asymmetrical vertical dispersion, amplitude shading, phase weighting, and five-frequency-way horn loading - technical wizardry that delivers powerful, precise sound without the muddy compression common in large clubs. Many heads consider Globus to have better overall sound quality than the Vault, where the focus is pure bass pressure and raw industrial vibe over finesse.

Music & Programming

Tresor remains fiercely dedicated to techno's roots. The Vault floor delivers uncompromising, hard-hitting techno - the kind that rattles your skeleton. Globus leans toward deeper house, groovy techno, and Detroit-inspired sounds. +4Bar pushes boundaries with ambient, experimental electronics, and live hardware sets. The club runs events Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with extended weekend sessions that can blur into Monday mornings.

Door Policy & Crowd

Tresor's door is notably more relaxed than Berghain's, but still expects you to show genuine interest in the music. Dress code is casual-industrial: black, comfortable, functional. Tourists in large groups or overly flashy outfits will raise eyebrows. The crowd skews older and more music-focused than some of Berlin's newer clubs - you'll find longtime ravers, vinyl collectors, and international techno pilgrims who understand the history. There's mutual respect on the floor, and the vibe stays serious without being pretentious.

Practical Details

Entry typically ranges from €10 (Thursday/early arrival) to €15 (weekend late night). The club accepts cash and card. Coat check is available. Photos and filming are not explicitly banned like at Berghain, but discretion is expected - don't wave your phone around on the dancefloor. Re-entry is possible with your stamp. The outdoor area is perfect for conversations and cooling down between sets.