You’ve heard the whispers. The ones that start with, "Have you been to Printworks?" and end with silence-like the moment before the bass drops. If you’re asking yourself what makes this place different from every other warehouse party in London, you’re not alone. Printworks isn’t just a club. It’s a ritual. A sanctuary for people who don’t just listen to electronic music-they live it.
Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re into deep techno, raw house, or industrial beats that shake your ribs, Printworks London is where you need to be. Not because it’s trendy. Not because it’s Instagrammable. But because it’s one of the last real places left in the city where the music still comes first-no VIP sections, no bottle service distractions, no fake exclusivity. Just sound, space, and soul.
What Makes Printworks London Different?
Most clubs in London are designed to look like something out of a sci-fi movie: neon lights, velvet ropes, DJs on podiums like rock stars. Printworks? It’s a converted printing factory in Peckham. Concrete floors. Exposed pipes. Ceiling high enough to let the bass breathe. The walls still have faded ink stains from when this place printed newspapers back in the 80s. There’s no branding. No logo on the door. Just a single black sign, barely visible, that says "Printworks" in plain white letters.
That’s the point.
You don’t come here for the decor. You come for the sound system. The Funktion-One setup is the same one used at Berghain. It’s not just loud-it’s precise. Every kick hits like a heartbeat. Every hi-hat snaps like a whip. You don’t hear the music-you feel it in your bones. People have described it as "being inside a live vinyl record." And honestly? That’s the closest you’ll get to the truth.
Why Electronic Music Fans Keep Coming Back
Think about your last club night. How many times did you have to shout to talk to your friend? How many times did the DJ play the same four tracks on loop just to keep the crowd dancing? At Printworks, none of that happens.
Here, the DJs play for 6 to 8 hours straight. No set times. No curfews. No pressure to "keep it commercial." You’ll hear a 12-minute ambient track that builds slowly, then drops into a pounding industrial rhythm that makes the whole floor vibrate. And no one leaves. No one checks their phone. No one rushes to the bar. You’re not here to be seen-you’re here to lose yourself.
There’s a reason why artists like Ben Klock, Charlotte de Witte, and Marcel Dettmann keep coming back to play here. They don’t need the glitz. They need the space. And so do you.
What Kind of Events Do They Host?
Printworks doesn’t do "themed nights" or "pop-up festivals." It doesn’t need to. The events here are simple: one room. One sound system. One DJ. One night. That’s it.
Most nights are curated by respected labels like Berghain, Perlon, TPC, or Institut für Räumliche Interaktionen. These aren’t just names-they’re movements. Each label brings its own sonic identity. One night might be all about minimal techno with sparse rhythms. Another could be raw, distorted acid house that feels like it’s breaking apart at the seams. There’s no genre policing here. If it’s deep, if it’s dark, if it’s honest-it belongs at Printworks.
Weekend nights are the most intense. Friday and Saturday, the doors open at 11 PM and don’t close until 7 AM. Sunday sessions are quieter, often experimental-live modular synths, tape loops, noise artists. It’s the kind of night where you leave with your ears ringing and your mind clearer than when you arrived.
How to Find Printworks London
You won’t find Printworks on Google Maps unless you know exactly what you’re looking for. The address is 35-37 Peckham High Street, SE15 5JH. But don’t rely on that. The building doesn’t look like a club. It looks like an abandoned warehouse. That’s intentional.
The best way to find it? Follow the crowd. On a weekend night, you’ll see a line of people-no fancy clothes, no heels, just black jackets, sneakers, and headphones around their necks-walking quietly down a narrow alley behind the main street. That’s your path. There’s no bouncer checking IDs at the front. Just a guy in a hoodie who nods you through after you show your ticket on your phone.
Public transport? Take the Overground to Peckham Rye. It’s a 5-minute walk from there. Driving? Don’t. Parking is a nightmare, and you won’t want to risk being late for the second hour of the set.
What to Expect When You Walk In
The first thing you notice? The smell. Not perfume or sweat. Not alcohol. It’s the smell of concrete, old wood, and warm electronics. The air is thick with sound. You feel it before you hear it.
The room is long and narrow. A single dance floor runs the entire length. No stages. No bars inside the main room. Drinks are served in a separate area-small, quiet, no lines. You grab a pint of lager or a bottle of water, then walk back into the music. No one rushes. No one pushes. There’s a rhythm to the movement here, like a slow tide.
People dance, but not like at a festival. There’s no waving arms or jumping. It’s more like meditation in motion. Heads nod. Shoulders roll. Feet glide. You see the same faces every week-regulars who’ve been coming for years. They don’t talk much. They don’t need to. The music does the talking.
Pricing and Booking
Entry is £12-£18, depending on the night. That’s it. No hidden fees. No drink minimums. No VIP tables that cost £500. You pay at the door or online through their official site. Tickets sell out fast-sometimes within hours. If you wait until Friday night to decide, you’re probably out of luck.
There’s no reservation system. No waiting list. You either get in, or you don’t. And that’s part of the magic. It’s not about who you know. It’s about whether you’re ready to listen.
They don’t do ticket presales for every event, so follow their Instagram (@printworkslondon) or check their website for updates. Events are announced 1-3 days in advance. That’s the rule. No big marketing campaigns. No influencers. Just the music.
Safety and Atmosphere
Printworks doesn’t have security guards in suits. It has volunteers-people who’ve been coming for years. They’re calm. They’re observant. If someone’s having a bad trip or just needs to sit down, they’ll guide them to the chill-out zone in the back room. No drama. No shouting. No ejection.
The vibe is respectful. No groping. No aggressive behavior. No one tries to take photos. No one tries to sell you anything. You’re here to disappear. And the space lets you.
There’s no smoking inside. No vaping. No drugs openly sold. That’s not because it’s illegal-it’s because it’s not part of the culture here. The music is the drug.
Printworks London vs. Berghain: What’s the Real Difference?
| Feature | Printworks London | Berghain |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Peckham, South London | Berlin, Germany |
| Entry Fee | £12-£18 | €10-€20 |
| Music Style | Techno, House, Industrial, Experimental | Techno, Minimal, Dark House |
| Sound System | Funktion-One | Funktion-One |
| Open Hours | 11 PM - 7 AM | 10 PM - 6 AM (sometimes later) |
| Entry Policy | First come, first served | Strict, no-photo policy |
| Atmosphere | Quiet, respectful, underground | Intense, mysterious, cult-like |
| Best For | London-based electronic fans | International techno pilgrims |
People compare Printworks to Berghain because they’re both legendary. But Berghain is a pilgrimage. Printworks is home.
At Berghain, you feel like an outsider trying to prove you belong. At Printworks, you feel like you’ve always been here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Printworks London open every weekend?
No. Printworks doesn’t host events every weekend. They typically run 3-5 events per month, mostly on Fridays and Saturdays. Some Sundays feature experimental sets. Always check their official website or Instagram for the latest schedule. Don’t assume it’s open just because it’s Friday.
Can I take photos or videos inside?
Absolutely not. Taking photos or videos is strictly forbidden. Not because it’s "cool" to be mysterious-but because it ruins the experience for everyone. Phones are a distraction. The whole point of Printworks is to be present. If you’re taking pictures, you’re not listening. Staff will ask you to put your phone away. Refuse, and you’ll be asked to leave.
Do I need to dress a certain way?
No dress code. But most people wear black, dark colors, or functional clothing-jeans, boots, hoodies. You’ll see a few in suits, but they’re the exception. Comfort matters more than style. You’ll be standing for hours. Wear shoes you can dance in.
Is Printworks suitable for beginners in electronic music?
Yes-if you’re open to it. The music isn’t always easy. Some tracks are slow, long, or abrasive. But that’s the point. Printworks isn’t about what’s popular. It’s about what’s honest. If you’re curious, go once. Don’t expect to love it. Just let it wash over you. Many people who thought they "didn’t get techno" left here changed.
What’s the age limit?
18+. ID is checked at the door. Bring a valid photo ID. No exceptions. This isn’t a party for teens. It’s a space for adults who understand silence, sound, and space.
Can I bring a friend who doesn’t like electronic music?
You can. But be honest with them. This isn’t a club where you dance to Top 40 hits. It’s a place where the music can feel like a storm. If they’re not into deep, dark, or experimental sounds, they might find it overwhelming. But some people leave with a new favorite genre. It happens.
Final Thoughts
Printworks London doesn’t need to be the biggest. It doesn’t need to be the loudest. It just needs to be real.
In a city full of flashing lights and curated vibes, it’s rare to find a place that asks for nothing but your attention. No gimmicks. No trends. Just sound, space, and silence between the beats.
If you’ve ever felt like the music you love is disappearing-like it’s being sold, packaged, and diluted-then Printworks is your reminder that it’s still alive. You just have to show up. And listen.
7 Comments
Just got back from Printworks last night and I’m still buzzing 🤯 That sound system? Pure magic. Felt like my chest was a subwoofer. No one was on their phone, no one was showing off-just pure, unfiltered sound. I didn’t even realize I’d been standing there for 4 hours until my feet started screaming. Best night of the year.
/p>This is such a beautiful reminder that music can still be sacred. Thank you for writing this with so much heart. It’s rare to find a place that honors the art instead of the audience. I hope more people get to experience this kind of peace.
/p>Printworks is the last real thing left in London’s club scene. I’ve been going since 2018. No hype, no influencers, no plastic. Just the music and the people who show up to feel it. I’ve seen people cry in the corner during ambient sets. I’ve seen strangers nod at each other like they’ve known each other for years. That’s not a club. That’s a family.
/p>And yeah, the smell? Concrete and warm amps. That’s the scent of truth.
man i went last month and i swear i thought i was gonna hate it but wow. the way the bass just… rolls through you? like your bones are vibing on their own. and the line outside? no one talking. just walking. quiet. like church but with techno. i forgot my phone in my jacket and i didn’t even miss it. best part? no one cared if i danced weird.
/p>also the lager was 5 quid and it was good. that’s it. no bs.
Let’s be honest-this post is overly romanticized. Printworks isn’t some mystical temple. It’s a repurposed industrial space with a high-end sound system and a strict no-photos policy. The music is good, sure, but so is Berghain, and it’s not ‘cult-like’-it’s just better maintained. Also, the £18 entry fee? That’s not cheap. And yes, people still take photos. I’ve seen them. The staff just doesn’t always enforce it. Don’t mythologize it. It’s a venue. A great one. But not a revelation.
/p>That moment when the bass hits and you realize you haven’t breathed in 30 seconds… 😭❤️🔥 I’ve been to 300+ clubs. This is the only one where I felt like I was part of the music, not just watching it. Also, the guy who handed me my beer? Didn’t say a word. Just smiled. That’s the vibe. 10/10. Will be back next month.
/p>For anyone reading this and thinking, ‘I don’t get techno’-go anyway. You don’t need to understand it. Just feel it. I took my cousin who only listens to pop. He left at 3 AM saying, ‘I didn’t like it… but I kind of want to hear it again.’ That’s the power of space. No pressure. No judgment. Just sound. And that’s worth more than any VIP table.
/p>