Here is a simple comparison of some of the bouldering and climbing gyms I have visited. The list is sorted by decreasing bouldering or climbing surface and the number of routes or problems. I personally visited each of the gyms at least once and typically several times. The ranking is subjective but should roughly reflect the available bouldering or climbing space.
Of course, the best climbing gym is often the most easy to reach from your work or home, or where your friends go.
This list is considered a living document, which I intend to update as I visit more gyms. So check back from time to time.
Bouldering Gyms | Climbing Gyms | Yet Unranked Gyms
Bouldering Gyms
1) Berta Block
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: January 2024.
The gym boasts a huge bouldering space with lots of problems. It comprises four industrial halls with boulder walls in total. The problems are generally fairly hard, meaning there are only one or two easy ratings. The gym hosts its own bar with delicious beer!
2) Ostbloc
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: 2016?
Large bouldering gym in the east of Berlin. It is located relatively far from the city centre, but the travel is worth it.
3) Depot Climbing Sheffield
Sheffield, UK. Last visited: January 2024.
This gym consists of one single large industrial hall that houses the bouldering problems arranged centrally in three main rows and covering three sides. The gym also offers a fitness training area, a weightlifting section, seating areas, and a simple area to purchase drinks and snacks.
This is the largest bouldering gym in Sheffield.
4) Depot Climbing Manchester
Manchester, UK. Last visited: mid-2022.
This is a pure bouldering gym. The staff sell decent snacks and light food (e.g. pizza). The gym is located far from the city centre. Overall, there is a good selection of easy and more challenging bouldering problems. The gym was almost always pretty crowded in 2022. They also offer a small number of instruments for fitness training.
It was the largest bouldering gym in Manchester in 2022.
5) Urban Apes Bright Site Berlin
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: September 2024.
It is a pure bouldering gym with a medium-sized bouldering area (four distinct walls) outside and a single large hall on the first floor indoors. Additionally, there is a play area for children inside on the ground floor. Within the main bouldering hall is a small fitness and weightlifting area and a dedicated area to warm up and stretch. The staff sell a few drinks and snacks at the reception.
6) Bouldergarten
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: December 2023.
7) Südbloc
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: December 2023.
It is a pure bouldering gym with three halls of bouldering space. The middle hall offers fitness instruments. The gym hosts a simple bar and restaurant.
8) Der Kegel
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: 2016?
The gym offers a small indoor bouldering area and significantly more boulder space outside. It is an excellent experience in summer! There are some rock climbing routes on the Kegel concrete tower and a few inside. During the winter, the staff often offer ice climbing sessions outside on the concrete tower.
9) Boulderklub Kreuzberg
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: 2023.
Exclusively bouldering, no rock climbing routes. Located reasonably centrally.
10) Rock Over Climbing
Manchester, UK. Last visited: 2021?
11) The Foundry Climbing Centre
Sheffield, UK. Last visited: January 2024.
It is mainly a rock climbing gym with a decent selection of self-belay, top rope, and lead climbing routes. However, only two walls on the first and ground floors have bouldering problems. The gym offers snacks and cakes for sale.
12) Parthian Climbing aka. The Church
Manchester, UK. Last visited: mid-2022.
It is mainly a rock climbing gym with a decent climbing route selection, including self-belay, top-rope, and lead climbing routes.
13) Vertical’Art
Orléans, France. Last visited: January 2024.
The bouldering gym is reasonably small. There is only one hall with bouldering problems and a separate space for children on the side. The gym hosts a restaurant and bar and sports a small mixed sauna, which is nice.
Bouldering Gyms | Climbing Gyms | Yet Unranked Gyms
Climbing Gyms
1) DAV Kletterhalle
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: 2013?
It is a huge and incredibly tall climbing hall that belongs to the German Mountaineering Association (Deutscher Alpenverein, DAV). The gym is the prime indoor rock climbing location in Berlin and even sports several Olympic speed climbing routes.
2) Parthian Climbing aka. The Church
Manchester, UK. Last visited: mid-2022.
3) The Foundry Climbing Centre
Sheffield, UK. Last visited: January 2024.
4) Der Kegel
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: 2016?
Bouldering Gyms | Climbing Gyms | Yet Unranked Gyms
Yet Unranked Gyms
Climb Up Orléans
Orléans, France. Last visited: not yet.
BlocHaus Climbing
Manchester, UK. Last visited: not yet.