Here is a simple comparison of some of the bouldering and climbing gyms that I visited recently. The list is sorted by decreasing boulder or climbing surface and number of routes or problems. I personally visited each of the gyms at least once and typically several times. The ranking is somewhat subjective but should roughly reflect the available bouldering or climbing space.
Of course, the best climbing gym is often the one that is most easy to reach from your work or home, or the one where your friends go to.
This list is thought to be a living document, which I intend to update as I visit more gym. So check back from time to time.
Bouldering Gyms
1) Berta Block
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: January 2024.
Huge bouldering space with lots of problems. Four industrial halls with boulder walls in total. The problems are generally fairly hard, meaning that 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 fairly 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 of the sides. The gym offers a fitness training area including a weightlifting section, seating areas, and a simple area to purchase drinks and snacks.
This probably the largest bouldering gym in Sheffield.
4) Depot Climbing Manchester
Manchester, UK. Last visited: mid-2022.
Exclusively for bouldering. They sell decents snacks and light food (e.g. pizza). The gym is located somewhat far from the city centre. Overall, good selection of easy and harder bouldering problems. Was almost always pretty crowded in 2022. They also offer a small number of instruments for fitness training.
This was the largest bouldering gym in Manchester is 2022.
5) Bouldergarten
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: December 2023.
6) Südbloc
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: December 2023.
A pure bouldering gym with three halls of bouldering space. The middle hall offers fitness instruments. The gym hosts a simple bar and restaurant.
7) Der Kegel
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: 2016?
Offers a small indoor bouldering area and significantly more boulder space outside. Great experience in summer! There are some rock climbing routes on the Kegel concrete tower and a few inside, too.
8) Boulderklub Kreuzberg
Berlin, Germany. Last visited: 2023.
Exclusively bouldering, no rock climbing routes. Located reasonably centrally.
9) Rock Over Climbing
Manchester, UK. Last visited: 2021?
10) The Foundry Climbing Centre
Sheffield, UK. Last visited: January 2024.
This is mainly a rock climbing gym with a decent selection of self-belay, top rope, and lead climbing routes. However, there are only two walls with bouldering problems on the first and ground floors, respectively. The gym offers snacks and cake for sale.
11) Parthian Climbing aka. The Church
Manchester, UK. Last visited: mid-2022.
This is mainly a rock climbing gym with a decent climbing route selection, including self-belay, top-rope, and lead climbing routes. The
12) Vertical’Art
Orléans, France. Last visited: January 2024.
Reasonably small. Only one hall of boulders with a separate space for children on the side. The gym hosts a restaurant and bar, and sports a small sauna, which is nice.
Climbing Gyms
To be finished.
1) DAV Kletterhalle
Berlin, Germany.
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?
Yet Unranked Gyms
Climb Up Orléans
Orléans, France. Last visited: not yet.
BlocHaus Climbing
Manchester, UK. Last visited: not yet.