Sadgoth's Guide to Wave gotik treffen / leipzig 

OTHER VENUES - OVERVIEW

So there are a load more locations that are used every year, other than the main nine locations previously detailed. I have listed five more venues that are popular with festival goers followed by the full list of other venues that were used in 2019 and a note to detail what they were used for. NOTE: These minor venues change year on year.

DARKFLOWER
Darkflower is the gothic regular Leipzig  nightclub (that many find too small for the WGT weekend) it is also used during the day for events such as a new album release parties or come and meet the band party, check the official program for details). As you enter the club, show your WGT wristband and go down the stairs (be prepared for a wave of heat to hit you as you descend, toilets are to your left and  to your right is the main dance-floor. The bar is down the side of the dance-floor, it can be quite hard to reach once the place is full, the sound from the dance-floor will hinder your conversation with the bar staff (note its not unknown for band members of the Goth world to be serving behind the bar, so when you order your beer, have a look to see if you recognise the person who has just served you).

There is a second dance-floors to the rear of the building, just follow the bar past the archway. The club really is excellent, guest DJs will play most nights and the dancefloor will be very packed till the very early hours of the morning. Expect the place to be going till 6am every night. Check out the bar for some wonderful cocktails/drinks too, it does however get very hot, worth visiting after 3am when it starts to thin out / cool down.

​

SCHAUSPIELHAUS

Schauspielhaus is a traditional theater located just to the west of town. During WGT the venue is used to host concerts and readings where you will need to sit down to watch the show. Its a lovely venue, however it can get busy esp for bigger bands and you might want to get here early if there is a band you really want to see. Its a wonderfully posh venue and excellent for the bands that play there and the seats are very comfy, try to get there early as the seats in the gods are quite distant. NOTE: Drinks are not allowed in the main hall, only in the foyer. It has also been noted that people seem to fall asleep in this venue, guess after a few days of WGT it can get a bit tiring and comfy seats and beautiful music can mean snoozy time...

​

SIXTINA
The Sixtina is an Absinthe bar, situated a short walk from the Moritzbastei (across the main road, through the middle of the impressive building opposite and it is to the right). Its quite small inside however to the rear you will normally find a marque, getting a drink can take a while but its worth it, this place is great, the ambience of the place is wonderful, you will also find a contender for the worlds smallest stage in the corner. Finding a seat can take a while, however its worth the wait, get a menu, pick you poison and sit back and watch the world pass before you in a rather green haze as the Sixtina sells 100+ different types of Absinthe, you cant really come in here without at least having taste of one of the Absinthes, mixed the proper way with heated sugar and water.

 

If you have partied all night then headed for the Sixtina for the Absinthe breakfast that occurs every morning and managed to walk out in bright daylight then give yourself a pat on the back. Not only does the Sixtina sell Absinthe it also sells Leipzig only locally brewed beer, called 'Gose', this beer is a pale, top-fermenting wheat beer, flavoured with coriander and salt that is said to taste a bit sour. Weirder still the Sixtina bar sells a cocktail made from Absinthe and Gose...

​

VOLKERSCHLACHTDENKMAL / KRYPTA
There are venues and then there is the Krypta, this is the most breathtaking venue you are ever likely to visit, it is set within the centre of the huge Völkerschlachtdenkmal, so music that is played here will resonate around the massive stone walls and statues. It is located to the South East of the city centre and will host only a small number of concerts

 

("Monument of the Battle of the Nations") is a large monument in Leipzig, Germany, to the Battle of Leipzig of 1813, also known as the Battle of the Nations. It is one of Leipzig's main landmarks. The monument commemorates Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig. This was a crucial step towards the end of hostilities, which was, in essence, a victory for the German peoples. Additionally, it mourns the 120,000 dead from all the nations involved, not only the German soldiers.

The structure is 91 metres tall, making it the tallest monument in Europe. It contains over 500 steps to a viewing platform at the top, from which there are spectacular views across the city and its environs. It was one of the first major structures to make extensive use of concrete, although the facings are of granite. It is said to stand on the spot of the bloodiest fighting, where Napoleon saw his army destroyed. The architect of the monument was Bruno Schmitz, and the carved figures, including the 5.5 metres (18 feet) high Totenwächter ("Guards of the Dead", or "Keepers of the Vigil of the Dead") are the work of sculptor Franz Metzner. The construction work took place over a period of 15 years.

Hitler exploited the monument to the full, and chose it as a frequent venue for his speeches when in Leipzig. During the period of communist rule in East Germany, the government of the GDR was unsure whether it should allow the monument to stand, since it represented the staunch nationalism of the period of the German Empire. Eventually, it was decided that the monument should be allowed to remain, since it represented a battle in which Russian and German soldiers had fought together against a common enemy, and was therefore representative of "Russo-German Brotherhood-in-arms"

The venue is amazing, although only one or two bands will play (and normally from the folk, classical specturm)

 

VOLKSPALAST

There are two venues here in one building, there is the Kuppelhalle and the Kantine. It is located to the east of the city down towards the Kohlrabizirkus. The building is absolutely wonderful, as you enter you feel that you really are in a grand venue, the insides are plush and the fittings are very comfortable (if you are lucky you will be able to sit at a table next to a bar and watch bands play).

The Volkspalast (peoples palace) was designed by architect Wilhelm Kreis and called ‘Hall 16’. It is styled in the Neoclassical Style modelled on the Roman Pantheon whilst the large dome is meant to be a copy of the night sky. Built from concrete with a steel structure in 1913 the design will remind you of the White House in Washington DC from the outside. Wilhelm Kreis had previously submitted a design for the Völkerschlachtdenkmal in Leipzig 1896, although the commission later went to Bruno Schmitz. Kreis later became famous for his designs especially the hygiene museum in Dresden, however he fell from grace in 1933 only to later find himself employed by Albert Speer in the redesign of Berlin.

In 2005 the Volkspalast formerly known as Hall 16 was renovated at a cost of 2.5 million Euro's after 10 years of abandonment (although it was used previously as a WGT venue). Today the 3,500 square meter venue is used for many events from Cabaret to Classical and from a Disco to Fetish Parties and of course WGT.

As you enter the Volkspalast you will find yourself in the outer circle that surrounds the main hall. Here you will find the cloakroom, toilets and some rather nice sofas (you may mock, but after a week of standing watching bands, shopping and clubbing it was great to lounge on these with a beer or two). From the surrounding outer circle you can enter the Main Kuppelhalle, just turn left or right from the doorway and you will see the entrance to the Kuppelhalle a short distance away. As you enter the main Kuppelhalle you will see that you can turn left or right and up some stairs to a bar area with some great viewing seats/tables. If you are here to see a band then get here early, you really need to be in the middle of the hall between the speakers. If you find yourself to either side then you will find that the sound will bounce off the opposite wall and you may struggle to hear the band clearly.

Although the place is large its does get very full and viewing the bands can also be a little awkward, as the stage area is quite small. If you choose the raised area near the bars then these areas will obviously be busier, the sound quality will be poorer although you do have beer very close and the chance of a better raised view. The WGT Fetish night is normally held at the Volkspalast, called 'Obsession Bizarr'. This Fetischtreffen is always a popular event, being more show than play (from a fetish club point of view) its a chance to really show off (just a shame baggage allowances do not allow many of us to bring more exotic clothes to wear).

Within the same building is the Kantine, a lovely venue sometimes used by WGT for after parties, large and comfortable its worth a visit. If you leave late, turn left outside and walk down the steet, taxis will be heading this way, and you should not have to wait that long before you can hail one.

​

MINOR VENUES

Ägyptisches Museum

So your WGT wristband get you free entrance to the Egyptian Museum located in the centre, its quite a wonderful place for an hour, there will also be a couple of talks about the exhibits over the course of the festival.

​

Alte Börse

One of Leipzig's most beautiful buildings in the centre of the city, here you can listen to fabulous renditions of classical / chamber music

​

Altes Rathaus

Without doubt the most beautiful building in Leipzig, the old Townhall in the centre of the city will host an exhibition about the history of Leipzig from middle ages to the battle of nations.

​

ATElier Schreckenberger / Hermeling (Leipzig Art Gallery)

Art studio located to the north of the city centre, during WGT can be used to display various subculture artwork

​

Barfusz

A cafe / bar / restaurant right in the centre of town where themed after parties will take place.

​

Baumwollspinnerei - Untergeschoß Halle 14

???

​

Bibliothek Gohlis

???

​

Blauer Salon

Function room / cabaret theater that is closely liked to Barfusz right in the centre of the city, during WGT you can see vairous shows, readings and lectures.

​

Brandstube

​

Buchhandlung Zweitausendeins

​

Budde-Haus

Located to the north of the city this quite wonderful cultural house will host lectures / discussions...nice beer garden 

​

Der Bundesbeauftragte für die Stasi-Unterlagen (Runde Ecke)

The Stasi (secret police) archive, located close to the town hall where you can see an exhibhition about the past exploits of the very secretive organisation and its impact on society before and after the wall came down.

​

Deutsches Buch- und Schriftmuseum

The German national library located to the south east of the city centre where they will hold an exhibition throughout the festival.

​

Deutsches Kleingärtnermuseum

The German allotment gardener`s museum! bet you cant wait to visit, its located to the east of the city and I have no idea what goes on there during the festival.

​

Galerie BeuteltierART

Located to the south west of the city centre this small art gallery will host an exhibition or two during the festival

​

Galerie Koenitz

​

Galerie Potemka

​

Gewandhaus

The Gewandhaus is situated right in the heart of the city and is one of the best places you will ever see music played, the acuostics are amazing. During WGT there will be a number of classical concerts with limited availability (approx 200) worth queuing for.

​

Haus des Buches

This venue is located to the East of the city, and readings will take place on one or two days over the festival

​

Heilandskirche

​

Hilfsverein Nächstenliebe e.V.

This is a small Leipzig Aid Society, and for WGT they hold a black knitting workshop on two days of the the festival (yes you read that right...knitting!)​

​

Hospiz Advena

​

Hotel Fürstenhof / Serpentinsaal

One of Leipzigs finest hotels will hold a black exhibition over the WGT weekend

​

KFK Neues Schauspiel Leipzig

​

Kirchenruine Wachau

The ruins of a church make this venue spectacular, not always used during WGT, but from time to time a band will play here, if so, you should get there very early to gain entrance, and outstanding location 

​

Kobra Keller

​

Krystallpalast Varieté

Krystallpalast Variete is a traditional theater located in the centre of the city (not far from the Mortizbastei). During WGT the venue may host a band ot two, have readings or a theater show where you will be able to sit down to watch the show, it is not a large venue so it should therefore be noted that if you want to see something here you you may need to get to this place early.

​

Medieval market - Moritzbastei​

The Medieval Market on top of the Moritzbastei is really just a mini extension of Heidnisches Dorf, you will find a dozen or so shops and eateries / bar together with a mini stage where you can hear / experience the sounds of medieval era. In addition its tradition to buy your mates bells (esp. if they hate them)...simply go to the Medieval village on top of the Mortiz, purchase fore said bells (biggest ones you can find) and present your friends with their new present (which of course they must wear, as its a present, and to do otherwise would be an offence)

​

mjut

​

Museum der bildenden Künste

This venue is a museum set right in the heart of Leipzig and it houses artworks from the Late Middle Ages to Modernity. During WGT it will host a black exhibition for the duration of the festival

​

Museum für Druckkunst

This venue to the south west of the city centre is the Museum of printed works, the outstanding feature of this museum is that all appliances, tools and machines are working and during WGT there will be demonstrations on the Friday and Monday of the festival.

​

Museums at Grassi

The Grassi Museum to the east of the city centre is a large building complex in Leipzig and is home to three museums: the Ethnography Museum, Musical Instruments Museum, and Applied Arts Museum, you have free enterance to them over the festival (note: nothing specifically related to WGT takes place in them).

​

Musikalische Komödie

​

Musikschule Leipzig Johann Sebastian Bach

Located in the city centre this wonderful venue will host a concert or two dedicated to Bach.

​

Mørtelwerk

This venue is a cafe, restaurant, beer garden, cocktail kitchen and cultural site located to the west of the city centre, during WGT the venue may host a night of concerts.

​

Noels Ballroom

This venue is located to the south of the city and is an Irish Pub,  Ballroom and restaurant, during WGT the venue will host an after party or two.

​

Opera Leipzig

The Opera in Leipzig is located to the east of the city centre in a grand building, during the festival there will be a musical / opera where your WGT wrist band will get you in for free (there will be a limited number of seats so get there early if you want to get in)

​

Passage Cinema

​

Peterskirche

​

Promenaden Hauptbahnhof - Historischer Speisesaal

​

Spizz

​

Stadtgeschichtliches Museum

​

StuK

​

Südfriedhof

​

Tanzcafé Ilses Erika

​

Thomaskirche

​

​