Right in the heart of the legendary Schinkenstraße and just a few steps from the sea sits Bierkönig – a true Playa de Palma institution for almost 40 years. Located directly in the popular nightlife district, this unique beer garden and live performance venue spans more than 5,000 square metres and has become the undisputed meeting point for lovers of German music, culture, and atmosphere from morning until late at night. With daily live performances and DJ sets featuring everything from German pop to Schlager music, the venue demands a professional sound system capable of delivering consistent, high-quality audio throughout its sprawling interior space.
A major renovation to Bierkönig’s 1,250-square-metre main hall, ‘Neuer Bereich’, which began in late 2024, included a complete audio system overhaul. This main performance space, hosting up to 2,000 guests nightly, had long suffered from an audio system that couldn’t match the venue’s legendary status. With uneven coverage and an undefined sound profile detracting from artist performances, the time had come for a complete transformation. German integration specialists RheinlandAkustik, working alongside long-time collaborators and L-Acoustics Certified Partner Babbel & Haeger, were brought into design and install a new professional sound system that would deliver significantly improved audio quality, whilst managing sound emission to neighbouring properties.
The renovation presented unique acoustic challenges and constraints that required innovative solutions. Limited ceiling height made traditional central array deployment impossible, while the venue’s complex architecture – featuring a balcony, multiple columns, and varying ceiling heights – demanded surgical precision in speaker placement. Precise positioning of suspension points and coordination with other trades during the six-month renovation also posed challenges during the implementation phase. “This wasn’t a project where you could apply standard approaches,” explains Nico Decker, Event Technology Specialist at RheinlandAkustik. “The client’s vision was crystal clear: even coverage throughout the entire audience area with maximum indoor sound pressure while protecting neighbouring residents from noise spillage. Achieving that balance required innovative thinking.”
“The architectural constraints at Bierkönig presented complex challenges,” adds Markus Drols, Event Technology Specialist at Babbel & Haeger. “Every column, every ceiling variation, every sightline had to be carefully considered. The decentralised approach wasn’t just a design choice – it was the only way to achieve the coverage uniformity and sound quality this legendary venue deserved”. Beyond architectural constraints, the venue presented unique operational challenges. Guests experience performances from dramatically different listening positions, some standing on the main floor, others elevated on bar stools throughout the space. Meanwhile, Bierkönig’s seaside location subjects equipment to significant climatic fluctuations, demanding robust solutions built for longevity.
RheinlandAkustik’s design team turned to L-Acoustics Soundvision software to navigate the complex acoustic environment. The advanced modelling capabilities proved essential for optimising coverage patterns around obstacles and ensuring consistent sound distribution across varying audience heights and architectural features. “Soundvision was absolutely instrumental,” notes Tim Goldhahn from RheinlandAkustik. “Combined with the L-Acoustics Cable Length Acceptance tool, it allowed us to map out every coverage challenge and optimise system placement for seamless integration. Without that level of precision planning, this project wouldn’t have achieved its objectives.” The solution centred on L-Acoustics A series loudspeakers, specifically chosen for their Panflex technology enabling precise directivity control. This flexibility allowed the team to craft a decentralised speaker configuration that overcame ceiling height restrictions while maintaining optimal performance throughout the venue.
“Managing a project of this complexity requires seamless coordination between all stakeholders,” explains Tobias Hemmersbach, Project Manager at Babbel & Haeger. “From the initial site surveys through final commissioning, every detail had to be meticulously planned. The six-month renovation timeline demanded precision execution, and the L-Acoustics ecosystem provided the reliability and flexibility we needed to deliver on schedule while maintaining the highest quality standards.”
The final installation showcases the versatility of networked professional audio systems. Four strategic main PA lines provide comprehensive coverage: Lines 1 and 2 feature L/R hangs of two A15i Wide with central hangs of two A10i Wide; Line 3 deploys L/R hangs combining one A15i Focus and one A15i Wide unit, complemented by A10i Wide central and outside right hangs; Line 4 mirrors the configuration of Lines 1 and 2 with L/R hangs of two A15i Wide plus central hangs of two A10i Wide, ensuring consistent coverage patterns.
Monitoring is handled through four rear-ceiling-flown X8i units for front-of-house, four floor-mounted X12 units serving the main stage, and two X8 units for the main DJ booth while three X8i units provide front-of-house-fill. Low-frequency reinforcement comes from six KS21i subwoofers – with two configured in cardioid mode for directional control – plus centrally flown delay subs comprising four KS21i in cardioid configuration. The outdoor terrace receives coverage via six X8i loudspeakers, while VIP areas are served by dedicated L/R X8 hangs.
The system is powered and controlled by LA7.16i amplified controllers, with an LC16D format converter handling signal distribution from the venue’s matrix mixer, converting MADI to Milan-AVB for seamless network integration. Signal distribution utilises Milan-AVB networking, chosen for its reliability and straightforward implementation across the L-Acoustics ecosystem. The system calibration was conducted by L-Acoustics, providing expert support to ensure optimal performance.
The impact extends far beyond technical specifications. Since reopening, the enhanced audio system has transformed the venue’s operational capabilities. The technical team, already familiar with L-Acoustics systems through years of experience, adapted quickly to the new installation. RheinlandAkustik implemented a customised matrix control system with an intuitive app interface, simplifying daily operations for venue staff managing multiple audio sources across different areas.
“The difference has been remarkable,” reflects a Bierkönig representative. “Artists consistently praise the system’s even coverage and neutral, well-defined sound profile. More significantly, we can now accommodate a much wider variety of performers, making our programming more attractive while eliminating the need for visiting acts to rent additional PA equipment. This has streamlined production workflows and reduced costs considerably.”
The network-based signal distribution via Milan-AVB provides excellent scalability for future expansion. Goldhahn adds “Should additional renovations or zone expansions be planned, the system architecture facilitates straightforward integration of new areas, positioning Bierkönig for continued evolution while maintaining its cultural significance”
“The A Series flexibility, particularly the adjustable directivity enabled by Panflex technology, proved absolutely essential,” concludes Decker. “We achieved precisely what the client envisioned—even sound distribution that enhances every performance while respecting the surrounding community. The collaboration with Babbel & Haeger and L-Acoustics, combined with thorough Soundvision planning, were critical success factors.”
