Essen Rathaus

Essen Rathaus 24/7 self-service music and rehearsal studios accessible for all solo & group creative endeavours. Produce, practice and mix with no distractions.

Find Your Studio Type

Guitarist performing inside a Pirate Studios rehearsal studio

Your space to create

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, our specialist Essen studios are the perfect place to create, write, produce, practice and mix with no distractions.

In Tempelhof there are 21 spaces ready for your next project: 

  • Hone your mix on club-standard equipment in the DJ studios
  • Rehearsal studios to jam with your band or practice for the next gig
  • Recording studios to write and produce songs or capture vocals

Simply book and pay by the hour using our easy live calendar. It's time to let your creativity flow.

Close up shot of a DJ using a Pioneer DJM-900NXS2 and CDJ-2000NXS2 inside a Pirate Studios DJ studio

What is Pirate?

A worldwide network of DJ, production, rehearsal, podcast and dance studios, giving you round the clock access to create. Because we’re open 24/7, we've made the experience entirely self-service using our unique entry code system — but if you ever need a hand, we're here. The fastest way to get support is via Live Chat.


Enjoy industry-standard equipment at affordable prices at our Berlin studios


Old industrial scene in Berlin

Ich liebe Berlin

There's a lot to love in Berlin. Greenhouse is an art collective/studio building not far from where our studios are, which doubles up as a venue. 

The site is near Neukölln, which is full of bars, record stores, cafes, and the Berliner creative community. There are loads of venues in the Neukölln area — smaller places like Donau115 (jam sessions, jazz stuff) and Prachtwerk, with Open Stage every Wednesday, through to SchwuZ, Berlin's largest queer cultural institution.

Fancy a walk further afield? Take a stroll along Landwehr Canal, taking in Hardwax (a mecca for techno, house, experimental club music), followed by a break at Brammibal's all vegan donuts, and finishing at OYE Records (funk, hip hop, house music).

Frequently asked questions

The Berlin edition of our FAQs has the top things you need to know about your session. Need more help? Hit up our support team via Live Chat.

Getting here and access

what3words location: ///flicked.fountain.octopus

Driving? Free parking is available. We have 14 spaces on site — 4 in front of the studios, and 10 round the corner near Capital Baustoffe. Street parking is also available.

We have recently made some changes to our parking rules, and therefore we recommend guests to use the street parking available during the hours below as our parking spaces will be unavailable.
- Monday - Friday the main gate will be closed at 22:00
- Saturdays, the main gate will be closed at 18:00
- Sundays, the main gate will be closed the whole day

No gathering is allowed at the parking space.

If you're coming via U-Bahn: take U6 Alt-Tempelhof or U8 Hermannstraße, then it's five minutes via bus and a two-minute walk.

What is verification and how does it work?

Being verified unlocks extra features at Pirate, like Refer-a-Friend credits. You also need to have your identity verified before you book one of our DJ or recording studios, so it’s a worthwhile investment! Don’t worry, the process only takes two minutes.

TIP: Use your mobile, it's easier to get a clear shot of your face/document.

I'm having trouble with a code or lock — help?

Slow and gentle!  Our locks can be a little sensitive so put your code in slowly and as detailed on your booking — such as * 1 2 3 4 5 6. Don't forget the star!

You might be sent a four-digit code as a replacement for the booking, such as 1 2 3 4.  As above, press slowly and in this case, with no star, *.

If you're having trouble with the lock or code, use # to reset and try again. If this doesn't work, please contact us via WhatsApp and we'll help get you in as soon as possible.

What if something breaks or I need a spare?

Spare equipment is available at every Pirate location, including instruments, cables, microphones, stands and other hardware.

If you need replacement equipment or something is missing, contact us on Live Chat via the website or
WhatsApp for assistance. We will direct you to our spares cupboard quickly so that you can get on with your session.

Will any staff be available to help me with my session?

Our studios are self-service, which allows us to keep costs down for you. If you have any problems please message us on WhatsApp, or use the FAQs, live chat or call us ASAP.

If you have any equipment issues, we can help troubleshoot — the sooner you let us know, the better. We have replacement gear on-site in case of any technical faults.

How big are the studios?

Here are the approximate dimensions of each studio type. Studios can vary by location and type of build. 

  • Rehearsal Standard: From 100 to 130 sq. ft — fits four people maximum
  • Rehearsal Standard+: 215 sq. ft — fits four people maximum
  • Rehearsal Pro: between 215 to 300 sq. ft — fits six people maximum
  • Rehearsal Showcase: 395 sq. ft — six or more people comfortably
  • DJ Standard or DJ Pro: From 65 to 130 sq. ft — five people maximum
  • Recording Standard or Recording Pro: From 65 to 175 sq. ft — five people maximum
  • Video Editing Standard: From 65 to 175 sq. ft — five people maximum
  • Podcast Standard: 110 sq. ft — fits six people maximum
  • Dance Pro: 580 sq. ft — 11 people maximum

Set up your Pirate.com account

It takes less than two minutes to become a member:

  • Visit the account creation page.
  • Enter your details in each field. If you have a referral code from another Pirate customer, please enter it at this point.
  • Select Join Pirate.com and we’ll send you an SMS to confirm your mobile number. You’ll need to confirm this number before you can use your account.
  • Confirmed? You’re ready to book.

Are food and drinks available at the studios?

A handful of locations do have vending machines but we suggest you bring your own food and drinks with you. Most Pirate sites are near local shops for convenience, and several sites have a kettle and microwave. Check out our support hub or the location page for your Pirate studio for further details.

On-site Facilities

  • Professional equipment
  • Spares available
  • Self-service, pay by the hour
  • 24/7 pin code access
  • Free WiFi
  • W/C facilities
  • Kitchen area
  • Free parking
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Acoustically-treated rooms
  • Custom temperature control
  • Rehearsal studios
  • DJ studios
  • Recording studios

Book at Essen today


Find Us

Getting Here

Bergholzstraße 1-4/Tor 3, 12099 Berlin

what3words location: ///flicked.fountain.octopus

Driving? Free parking is available. We have 14 spaces on site — 4 in front of the studios, and 10 round the corner near Capital Baustoffe. Street parking is also available.

If you're coming via U-Bahn: take U6 Alt-Tempelhof or U8 Hermannstraße, then it's five minutes via bus and a two-minute walk.