Picture a rowing center. Now imagine atop it, a nightclub. This is Robert Johnson, a legendary name in electronic music. Opened in 1999, Robert Johnson resides on the edge of Offenbach. It shares a river view with Frankfurt.
Ata, a DJ and founder of Playhouse, Klang, and Ongaku, runs Robert Johnson. Ata started DJing in the late eighties. In 1992, he and Heiko Schäfer founded the record shop Delirium. They established Ongaku Musik, Klang Elektronik, and Playhouse in 1993.
Before Robert Johnson, Ata founded the Wild Pitch Club. It was Frankfurt’s first club night for modern house and deep house. After years of parties, he opened Robert Johnson. Through the DJs he booked and his own sets, Robert Johnson became world-renowned.
The club’s design is minimalist. White walls and a black wooden dance floor define the space. Fewer lights keep the focus on the sound system. Everything inside is movable. This allows for flexibility. Ata envisioned it as an art space. He wanted it to feel like a friend’s living room. So there are no advertisements inside. Even alcohol bottles are out of sight at the bar.
DJs are on the same level as the dance floor. This creates an intimate connection. Many DJs love playing here for this reason. The club’s capacity is limited to 250 people. This ensures an exclusive experience.
Robert Johnson aimed to be different. The bouncers were initially all women. This challenged typical club entry perceptions. Staff meetings were democratic. Everyone had a say. This philosophy was showcased in the “Give Love Back” exhibition. It ran at Frankfurt’s Museum Angewandte Kunst. Contributions came from friends and Frankfurt natives.
In the beginning, Robert Johnson played deep house. This was uncommon for Frankfurt. The city was known for Eurodance. Artists like Culture Beat and Snap! originated in Frankfurt. Robert Johnson stood out by doing something different. Dixon was one of the first residents. Gerd Janson, Ricardo Villalobos, and Luciano were also close friends.
Robert Johnson helped bridge US deep house and German house. It opened the door for minimal house. Many associate this sound with Berlin today. But it was pioneered in Frankfurt, at Robert Johnson. The club is located at Nordring 131, Offenbach Am Main. It opens on Fridays and Saturdays. The music policy includes Techno, Techhouse, Minimal, Electronic, and House. There is no specific dress code.