UK television news channel GB News recently covered how nightclubs in Berlin have led the charge to go phone-free in the spirit of creating a better atmosphere with partygoers more ‘in the moment.’

Berlin nightclubs are leading the charge to be phone-free, with their capital’s esteemed club culture also influencing the policies of underground venues across Europe and beyond.

Famous club Berghain was one of the first, together with their mythologised entry policy, they have a strict no-photography rule, which has only increased the mystery – and demand for entry.

Today, some 90% of venues in Berlin now have strict phone bans on their dance floors. More recently, a new Manchester nightclub has followed famous London clubs such as Fabric who announced a phone ban when re-opening back in 2021. Further abroad, attention-grabbing new rules sprouted in Ibiza at the iconic Pikes and, at the world’s best-rated club, Hï Ibiza. 

Why the growing trend to ban phones at nightclubs?

Banning phones, and more importantly their cameras, is part of a broader approach to safeguard clubbers and protect their privacy. It also does no harm from a marketing perspective, with an element of mystery increasing intrigue.

It’s quite often DJs and artists calling for phone bans. They want to see a room full of dancing, cheering and singing people unified in the moment. It increases the energy and atmosphere on the dancefloor, with clubbers living in the moment. 

Seeing a world-famous DJ at world-famous nightclub can be expensive. For clubbers who want to get value, there’s been support from those who don’t want their view obscured by mobile phones held aloft, or face filmed, or put on social media without permission.

It’s the same feeling at festivals, and Amsterdam’s No Art festival has requested festivalgoers to stop filming. Organisers understandably don’t want to see endless livestreaming of their show, but the use of bolsas de telefone com trava is making a tremendous difference. Ruud Boymans said “People are in the moment, they talk to each other, they make friends. The party is back.”

Desire to ban phones isn’t just being driven by artists and organisers, however. As sentiment has changed for a more connected experience, the long anticipated Oasis reunion tour has been urged by fans to ban phones to replicate the feel of being back in the ‘90s.

A decision by Oasis to go phone-free would no longer be a controversial move, with Bob Dylan implementing a phone and camera ban on his UK tour in 2024; just one of a string of famous artists who prefer to see fans engage rather than film. 

Want to go phone-free at your venue?

Here at Phone Locker, we’ve helped the likes of Cercle with their unique immersive Odyssey shows, to the popular Masked Singer TV show in going phone-free, helping maintain privacy, and increase connection. Our lockable phone pouches can be rented by venues, allowing them to control phone use without worrying about storage or liability issues.

Saiba mais sobre como o Phone Locker® funciona no nosso site, or get in touch for free, friendly advice for your next event.