In April 2022, Berlin’s nightlife pulsed with its signature blend of techno beats and raw energy, drawing revelers to its iconic clubs. Among them was Elon Musk, the billionaire mastermind behind Tesla and SpaceX, fresh from opening his massive Gigafactory in Gruenheide. Disguised in a Zorro mask, Musk dove into the city’s underground scene, hitting fetish hotspots like KitKatClub and the sprawling Sisyphos. But when he arrived at Berghain—the world’s most exclusive techno temple—he was met with a firm rejection at the door. What followed was a Twitter storm that set the internet ablaze, revealing a clash of wealth, ego, and Berlin’s unyielding club culture.
Berghain, housed in a former power plant in Friedrichshain, is more than a club; it’s a cultural fortress. Since 2004, it has defined Berlin’s techno underground, drawing global crowds who endure hours-long queues for a chance at entry. Its bouncers, led by the enigmatic Sven Marquardt, enforce a cryptic selection process where money and fame hold no sway—only the elusive “vibe” matters. The club’s roots in Berlin’s ‘90s gay and fetish scenes demand a diverse, authentic crowd, and even celebrities face rejection without explanation.
Musk’s Berlin adventure began on a high note. On March 22, 2022, he celebrated the opening of Tesla’s $5.5 billion Gigafactory, dancing awkwardly as Model Y vehicles rolled out to cheering customers. Emboldened, he extended his stay to explore Berlin’s nightlife. He was spotted at KitKatClub, known for its provocative dress code of leather, latex, and nudity, and at Sisyphos, another warehouse venue, still wearing his Zorro mask. “Berlin rocks,” he tweeted, signaling a night of revelry.
But Berghain was a different beast. Late one night, Musk approached the club, perhaps riding the high of his earlier escapades. Marquardt himself reportedly turned him away. No reasons were given—that’s Berghain’s way—but whispers suggested Musk’s billionaire aura didn’t fit the club’s ethos. Was it his outfit, his entourage, or simply a vibe mismatch? Whatever the cause, the richest man on Earth was denied.
What happened next turned a simple rejection into a global spectacle. Musk didn’t retreat quietly. Instead, he took to Twitter, posting: “They wrote PEACE on the wall at Berghain! I refused enter.” He followed with: “Peace. Peace? I hate the word. Those who do care about peace (myself aspirationally included) don’t need to hear it. And those who don’t care about peace? Well …” In a twist, Musk framed himself as the one rejecting Berghain, claiming the club’s massive “PEACE” sign—a relic of its industrial past—offended him so deeply he chose not to enter. The internet saw through it.
Twitter exploded with memes and mockery. Users called it “sour grapes,” likening Musk to the fox in the fable who scorns unreachable fruit. Posts dissected his fragile ego, with one quipping, “Triggered by the word peace? Not surprised.” Media outlets jumped in, reporting the snub and Musk’s bizarre denial. Some speculated his tweets stemmed from embarrassment, possibly fueled by a night of indulgence. Others saw it as a philosophical jab gone wrong, tying it to his controversial stances.
The incident struck a chord because it exposed a rare limit to Musk’s influence. In a world where wealth opens most doors, Berghain’s rejection humanized him, revealing cracks in his invincible persona. Musk, once a college student running an illegal nightclub but avoiding its parties, seemed out of place in Berghain’s hedonistic realm. His biographer described him as “straight-laced,” more into video games than clubbing. Yet, with a net worth of $288 billion in 2022, he was used to bending reality to his will.
The Twitter storm also coincided with bigger news: hours after the Berghain saga, Musk announced a 9.2% stake in Twitter, sending shares soaring. But the club rejection lingered, fueling debates about privilege and authenticity. Berghain’s silence—bolstered by its no-photo policy—only added to its mystique. Musk joined a list of rejects, from DJs to rowdy tourists, proving no one is above the vibe check.
Looking back from 2025, this moment foreshadowed Musk’s evolving image. His Twitter antics, political controversies, and personal dramas have since intensified, but the Berghain incident remains a vivid snapshot of vulnerability. It wasn’t just a denial; it was a cultural standoff between a billionaire’s ego and a club that bows to no one. As one commenter put it, “Better luck next weekend.”
