The Jolly Joker is revived – the disco becomes an event space

“Big project” in Braunschweig

Discotheques, which were once a cult, are now being revived

“Mega project” in a traditional building: The former “Jolly Joker” in Braunschweig reopens. With a new name and new ideas.

The former large discotheque “Jolly Joker” in Braunschweig was revived. In April 2026, the event hall “Schön & Frölich” will open in a rural and historic location. The operator, Applaus Kulturproduktionen GmbH, announced this through a press release and social media.

Paul Kunze, managing director of Applaus Kulturproduktionen, is enthusiastic about the idea of ​​filling the historic venue with new life. “Brick, steel, wood, old industrial architecture – you immediately feel a special atmosphere when you are here,” he says of the old factory hall, which was used as a mechanical engineering site until the early 1980s. “New buildings in the cultural sector cannot create such an impression,” Kunze continued. “And most importantly: This place is very emotional.”

Because: “Jolly Joker” on Broitzemer Straße has been a popular destination for party fans for almost three decades since 1983 and achieved cult status in the area until it went bankrupt in 2012. In 2017, a new operator dared to start over with “Jolly Time”, but had to give up again after the Corona crisis in 2020.

In the future, events will be held regularly in an old brick building with an area of ​​about 2,500 square meters after a long break. “The legends are so numerous that you just have to do something with them,” said Kunze, who has been exploring the cultural landscape in Braunschweig for about 15 years. According to him, the new location will accommodate around 1,600 visitors.

Extensive renovation work is currently underway on the building. Outdoor areas should follow suit. One of the “most fundamental” innovations in “Schön & Frölich” was the construction of a new stage at the front of the hall. According to the announcement, the old stage in the back will serve as a visitors’ gallery.

Kunze received support from Marco Bittner, with whom he has organized the Wolters Applause Garden and Friendship Stage in Prinzenpark, as well as new Applause partner Tim Lemke from Strauß & Lemke GmbH. The latter has run many bars and clubs in Braunschweig over the years.

“Resurrecting everything that was abandoned here is something that is very exciting for us. It will be a completely different and new feeling of space,” promises Lemke. The “mega project” is expected to be ready in early April 2026. The opening party will take place on April 9 and will last for several days. “A new era begins at the historic site,” the statement said.