Guidebook

Working edition / updated 12 August 2026

Pylonen is part of Copenhagen’s Free Zone Initiative: a space where nightlife, music and culture can flourish, and where new ideas, formats and collaborations can be explored and tested.

Welcome to Pylonen

The Free Zone Initiative aims to create zones across Copenhagen where culture can develop. The idea was first proposed by Klubkulturens Frie Platform in 2021 and later incorporated into the City of Copenhagen’s Nightlife Strategy. In 2025, the Mayor of Culture and Leisure began an initiative to establish up to 15 Free Zones across the city.

As the first Free Zone of its kind, Pylonen is both a pilot project and a showcase for how future Free Zones can support culture, creativity and community. Pylonen is not only a venue: it is a shared platform for experimentation, collaboration and cultural development.

Welcome to Pylonen. We hope you will join us in shaping Copenhagen’s cultural and nightlife scene.

Structure, visions & community

Who are we?

We are artists, promoters, DJs, VJs, bookers, ravers, dancers, activists, creatives and other curious souls engaged in—or interested in—underground culture and alternative nightlife in Copenhagen.

Pylonen is a community-driven project with an ambition for a decentralised and democratic leadership structure. The bi-weekly house meetings ultimately have the final say in the direction we move collectively. The visions below define our current values and principles; they can change when we collectively agree.

Pylonen is also a collective-first space. Anyone can join a working group and contribute ideas.

Pylonen as a safe space

• We communicate respectfully and seek to understand before judging.
• We communicate with care and call each other in, not out.
• We learn from mistakes and help each other improve.
• We reflect critically on who is and is not represented in the collective.
• We create a space where people feel safe to unplug, connect and explore.
• We ensure visible and approachable safer-space contacts whenever events call for it.
• We do not tolerate abusive or discriminatory behaviour.

Pylonen as a collective

• We seek ways to share space, time and resources before dividing them between us.
• We seek collaboration across crews, projects and communities.
• We support one another in making events and activities happen.
• We clean up after ourselves and help take care of the space.
• We trust those doing the work to make decisions.
• We take initiative when we see a need, before relying on others to do so.

Pylonen as a creative lab

• We make it easy to organise events and turn ideas into reality.
• We create space for wild ideas before deciding whether they are realistic or appropriate.
• We create space for activities, artists and crews that may not otherwise have one.
• We experiment with new ways of organising culture, community and collaboration.
• We share skills, knowledge and creative practices across communities.
• We encourage unexpected collaborations and new event formats.

How Pylonen is organised

The municipality sets success criteria, long-term strategy and evaluation. Venue managers handle contact with organisers, daily operational responsibilities, administration and budgeting. Organisers host events and activities and can take part in working groups.

Working groups are directly responsible for aspects of the house. Current groups include Calendar, Bar, Communication, Community, Interior and Production.

Events

Anyone who agrees with our visions is welcome to host an event at Pylonen. There are a few municipal conditions that every event must follow.

Event conditions

• No political content. The municipality’s definition is not fully specified, but explicitly political content is not permitted. Contact Pylonen if you are unsure.
• You cannot profit from the event. Any surplus cannot be withdrawn. A declared project-management or production-coordination fee can be included in the event budget. Merchandising and markets may be treated differently.
• No private events. Events at Pylonen must be public. Door selection is possible, but invite-only events are not.

From proposal to report

1. Send an event proposal. Use the event proposal form. The calendar team or a venue manager will get in touch when a date is confirmed.
2. Apply for municipal permits. See the permit information below when your event uses the outdoor area or temporary structures.
3. Plan your event. Plan with your crew and contact venue managers when you need help.
4. Complete the production plan. Your Pylonen contact will send the form so the venue knows the event details and support needed. Wait for budget confirmation before committing large sums.
5. Set up. Set up decoration, sound, lighting and installations, then check that everything works.
6. Host responsibly. Look after artists, staff breaks, heat, lighting and the other responsibilities agreed for your event.
7. Complete the event report. A venue manager sends this after the event so Pylonen can record the culture taking place in the venue.

Outdoor permits

Pylonen expects a 24-hour alcohol licence and permission to serve outdoors. If you plan to use the outdoor area, you may still need to apply for:

1. Outdoor Event Permit for outdoor activities.
2. Building Permit when setting up temporary structures—such as tents, stages, stands or platforms—or establishing a market for more than 150 people.

What do we have?

Bar

Pylonen has a fully equipped bar with fridges, an ice machine, payment terminals, cups, waste and deposit sorting, plus products from Nørrebro and Local Spirits including soft drinks, maté, spirits and beer. If you need other products for an event, talk to a venue manager. Pylonen is planning draught beer and a café in the future.

If you wish to use your own bar, contact a venue manager so that we can find a workable solution.

Sound, lights & DJ equipment

Pylonen is working on access to sound systems, lights and other technical equipment. Until a permanent setup is confirmed, organisers may need to rent or borrow equipment specifically for their event. The guidebook will be updated when this changes.

Contact

Reach out to the venue managers for general enquiries or questions about Pylonen.

Join the Pylonen Discord server to get involved in a working group and follow the project.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take profit from my event?

No. Pylonen is a municipal venue, so event profits cannot be withdrawn. You can include an appropriate project-management or production-coordination fee in the budget.

Can I organise political activity?

No political activities are currently permitted. The definition can be unclear, so contact Pylonen if you want to discuss an idea.

What are the current opening and outdoor-area conditions?

Conditions and licences can change. If you plan to use the outdoor area, confirm the current time limits and permit requirements with a venue manager before making commitments.

Which rooms are approved for guests?

Currently, the Main Room is the approved room for guests. Pylonen is exploring approval for additional rooms; contact the venue managers for the current status.

Is the venue accessible?

Wheelchair users can enter the room, but the toilets and bar are currently up three steps. A wheelchair lift is currently not operational. Contact Pylonen in advance about access needs so the team can give the most current information.

What toilets and cleaning are available?

There are two indoor toilets and a GODIK outdoor toilet with two booths. Organisers must clean the facilities used unless a cleaning fee has been agreed. After an event, collect cups, cans and waste; clean the bar if used; and pack down everything you installed.

How can I join?

If you agree with Pylonen’s visions and code of conduct, you are welcome to join a working group through Discord or by attending a bi-weekly house meeting. Use the event proposal form to suggest an event; Pylonen normally responds within a few days.