distillery

distillery has organised events in Leipzig since 1992, beginning in the basement of a disused brewery in Leipzig-Connewitz. A group of nine techno fans founded the club, with Steffen Kache among them; he later became its managing director. Safety problems brought the first venue’s operation to an end, and in 1995 the club relocated to a former Deutsche Bahn site on Kurt-Eisner-Straße in Leipzig-Südvorstadt. It held its final event at that address on May 29, 2023, as the property was to be redeveloped for housing.

On August 30, 2025, distillery reopened in the north wing of Hall 7 at the Old Trade Fair grounds, known as Alte Messe, in Leipzig. Its early programme centred on house and techno, then expanded to include drum and bass, hip-hop, reggae and other electronic music. Residents included the Wighnomy Brothers, Daniel Stefanik and Matthias Tanzmann, who first played at the club in 1996. Event line-ups have also featured Dubbalot and audite.

The Th!nk? festival developed from the distillery scene into a daytime electronic-music open-air beside Lake Cospuden in 2010. At the club on New Year’s Eve 1999/2000, Tanzmann and co-owner André Quaas discussed the idea that led to Moon Harbour Recordings; distillery hosted showcases for the label from 2001. The club received the APPLAUS 2022 award for Best Live Music Programme.