Bootshaus
Cologne's premier EDM nightclub on the Deutzer Werft, repeatedly Germany's top-ranked club in DJ Mag — reaching #8 worldwide and #1 nationally in 2019.
since 1991
holds approx. 1,900 people
The Bootshaus is a Cologne nightclub on the former shipyard grounds in Deutz, specialising in electronic dance music. It has featured in the DJ Magazine Top 100 for years, repeatedly claiming the highest position of any German club.
At a Glance
- Type
- Nightclub (evolved from the Warehouse)
- Location
- Shipyard grounds beneath the Zoobrücke in Cologne-Deutz
- Rooms
- Three indoor rooms plus an outdoor area
- Main Floor
- Capacity of over 1,000 guests
- Music
- EDM and electronic dance music, plus Dubstep, Hardstyle, Techno, Afro House
- Opened
- 2004 (successor to the Warehouse, founded 1991)
- DJ Mag best rank
- #8 worldwide and #1 in Germany (2019)
Age comparison
Age compared with other places in Cologne.
History
The Warehouse, one of Germany's earliest techno venues, opened in 1991 and gave rise to Bootshaus at the Deutzer Werft in 2004. The club's early identity was shaped by the Loonyland party series run by Ulrich Rauschenberger (U-Lee) and Sascha Weber; Rauschenberger continues to handle bookings to this day. Since 2012, the club has been owned by Fabian Thylmann and is operated by Bootshaus Cologne GmbH under managing director Tom V. Thomas.
The Venue
The main floor was powered by a Funktion-One sound system from 2012 until February 2024, when it was replaced by an L'Acoustics system. The second room, the BLCKBX, features a ceiling of fans and sculptural walls. Since 2016, the club has also been home to a large head sculpture by American artist Elmer Presslee, created in 2010 for the ART.FAIR.
Music and DJs
The Bootshaus focuses on EDM genres including electro house, big room, future bass, and EDM trap, while also booking acts from hardtrance, hardcore techno, and drum & bass. Performers have included Armin van Buuren, Avicii, David Guetta, Deadmau5, DJ Snake, Felix Jaehn, Hardwell, Amelie Lens, Robin Schulz, Skrillex, Solomun, Steve Aoki, Tiësto, and Zedd.
Festivals and Awards
Bootshaus runs its own stage at major events such as BigCityBeats World Club Dome and the Parookaville Festival in Weeze. Since 2019, Bootshaus Cologne GmbH has hosted the annual Nibirii Festival at the Dürener Badesee and the Blacklist Festival at the Turbinenhalle Oberhausen. The club has appeared in the DJ Magazine Top 100 every year since 2013, broke into the worldwide Top Five in 2021, and has consistently ranked as Germany's top club — most recently placing #7 globally in 2025. It also received the LEA Award for Best Club in 2019.
Map
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Address
Auenweg 173
51063 Köln
Hours
Mo: 10:00–17:00
Di: 10:00–17:00
Mi: 10:00–17:00
Do: 10:00–17:00
Fr: 23:00–06:00
Sa: 22:00–06:00
Contact
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Sources & links
- Official website
- Official website (retrieved 2026-07-17)
- Wikidata (retrieved 2026-06-30)
- Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-06-30, rev 266700015)
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-06-30
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