Leipzig authorities pass law to abolish closing times for nightclubs

Leipzig council has declared the party must never end as it abolishes closing times for clubs in the city.

The law was approved last week and supercedes the "Sperrstunde" policy which dictated that all clubs had to close between 5 and 6 AM so they could be cleaned.

Although the policy was rarely enforced, it came into effect earlier this year after a number of noise complaints to local government.

Now, 47 out of 52 councillors have emphatically voted to get rid of the rule.

"We're very happy with the decision," Institut für Zukunft founder Franziskus Thiem told Resident Advisor. "It's a great and assuring sign from city officials that they appreciate the impact of club culture and club spaces in Leipzig and their influence on creating and nurturing a thriving and creative local community."

He continued: "Nevertheless, displacement is becoming more and more of an issue in a growing city like Leipzig, where capital and investment firms look to gentrify abandoned areas that were previously used by local cultural protagonists, such as clubs. Our campaign to support local club culture does't stop with the abolished curfew."

Later, nearly 700 supporters of the law gathered in celebration outside the town hall, playing music and partying long into the night.