Jazz is thriving in Berlin, while staying true to its roots. International avant-garde artists gather at major jazz festivals, while the new generation regularly meets in clubs and jazz bars to jam in the traditional way or showcase their own interpretations. Jazz has a rich tradition in Berlin - and also today there are live performances almost every evening. Here are 11 amazing jazz bars for your night out in Berlin.
Tip: Check out our "Berlin Unboxed" podcast episode with Nadine Deventer, the artistic director of Jazzfest Berlin (in German language).
Tip 1: Listen to jazz after midnight at A-Trane Jazz Club
The A-Trane is one of Berlin’s most famous jazz clubs, with legends like Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau, and Diana Krall having performed here. A special moment was when Kevin Spacey, during a visit for a whiskey, spontaneously sang “Fly Me to the Moon” from his film Beyond the Sea. Several live jazz albums have also been recorded at the A-Trane. Every Saturday, the club hosts the “Jazz after Midnight” jam session. The name A-Trane is a tribute to John Coltrane (nickname Trane) and the jazz standard Take the A-Train, popularized by Duke Ellington.
When: depending on the event
Where: Bleibtreustraße 1, Charlottenburg
Tip 2: B-flat Acoustic Music & Jazz Club – where live music plays nearly every day
The B-flat is an integral part of Berlin's jazz scene. Since the late 1990s, live music has been played here almost every evening, with a diverse program that spans a wide range of styles: jazz, soul, swing, bebop, funk, and rock. Jam sessions are typically held on Wednesdays.
When: Tuesday through Sunday, 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Where: Dircksenstraße 40, Mitte
Tip 3: Kunstfabrik Schlot - jazz, jams and a broad cultural program
In addition to jazz, Schlot hosts readings, film lectures, and roundtable discussions. On Sundays, there’s a literary morning session. Kunstfabrik Schlot places a special emphasis on programs for young people and children, with regular performances by music schools from across Berlin. The club also offers free concerts several times a week. Food and drinks are affordable, with options ranging from a lard sandwich for 1.50 euros to a tasty cheese selection paired with a glass of wine.
When: one hour before the start of each concert
Where: Invalidenstraße 117, Mitte
Tip 4: Badenscher Hof - serving jazz & more since 1985
A jazz club, restaurant, and music café all in one, the Badenscher Hof invites you into a charming, old-fashioned setting. Since hosting its first concerts in 1985, little has changed. This family-run venue is open exclusively on weekdays, offering a relaxed atmosphere and hearty cuisine. The menu features Berliner specialties alongside dishes like Cajun jambalaya—a rice mix with fruit, vegetables, nuts, and raisins, fondly referred to as "jazz food." The music program is just as diverse as the menu.
When: Monday through Friday from 4 p.m., kitchen from 6 p.m., concerts from 8 p.m.
Where: Badensche Strasse 29, Wilmersdorf
Tip 5: Quasimodo - Berlin's oldest jazz club
Music has been playing at Quasimodo since 1975, with jazz legends like Branford Marsalis and Maceo Parker gracing its stage. International stars such as Prince, Chaka Khan, Nigel Kennedy, and even Helge Schneider have surprised audiences with intimate performances or spontaneous parties. Situated beneath the Delphi cinema and the Quasimodo Bar, the venue offers an authentic club atmosphere.
When: depending on the event
Where: Kantstraße 12 a, City West
Tip 6: ZigZag Jazzclub - where young jazz talent and international stars meet
At ZigZag Jazzclub, Berlin's emerging jazz talent shares the stage with international acts. Founded in 2015, this club in the bourgeois district of Friedenau is one of the city's newer jazz venues, but it's already become a staple of the scene. Almost every evening, the program focuses mainly on jazz, with occasional funk, soul, swing, Latin, or world music—and a touch of chanson. Small tables, floor lamps, and retro sofas create a cozy, living-room-like atmosphere.
When: 8 p.m. - midnight (closed on Monday, Friday & Saturday until 12.30 am)
Where: Hauptstrasse 89, Friedenau
Tip 7: The Hat - cool jazz club atmosphere beneath the S-Bahn arch
The Hat is a classic jazz bar, rooted in the tradition of American jazz jams. Its long, seemingly endless bar stretches from the entrance to the far end of the brick-vaulted space, located directly beneath the S-Bahn tracks, giving the venue a slightly mischievous, underground vibe. With bartenders in front and the stage behind, it's a place where you can easily lose yourself in the night. Open every day, the jam session kicks off at 9 PM, and with the host's approval, you're welcome to join in the performance.
When: daily 8 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Where: Lotte-Lenya-Bogen 550, Charlottenburg
Tip 8: Jazzkeller - jazz heritage from GDR times
The history of Jazzkeller dates back to GDR times, when the jazz scene regularly gathered in the cellar of the Kreiskulturhaus Treptow, despite the general suspicion that all musicians somehow sympathized with Wolf Biermann, who was denaturalized in 1976. Ulrich Gumpert, one of the most prominent jazz pianists in the GDR, occasionally played melodies from Biermann’s songs, though he was never banned. Special concerts also took place at venues like the town hall, the Archenhold Observatory, and the Astra Cinema. Some GDR jazz musicians were even allowed to travel to the non-socialist economic area, i.e., West Germany, helping to introduce GDR jazz to the international stage. After the dissolution of the GDR in 1991, some veterans from that era founded Jazzkeller 69, continuing the Treptow jazz tradition. Though it has no permanent space, the group organizes regular concerts, such as monthly performances at the Kühlspot Social Club and events at the Industriesalon Schöneweide.
When: depending on the program
Where: Industriesalon Schöneweide, Reinbeckstraße 10, Schöneweide and Kühlspot Social Club, Lehderstrasse 74-79, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 9: Yorckschlösschen - traditional jazz in a fun & relaxed atmosphere
A neighborhood institution for 120 years, Yorckschlösschen began as a popular corner pub in the 1960s before becoming a gathering spot for artists. Since the 1980s, it has hosted live music several times a week, primarily jazz but also blues, swing, funk, and soul. The crowd is diverse, and concerts—held every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday—quickly fill the space, adding to the lively atmosphere. Dancing often breaks out beneath the red-lit ceiling, where a glittering chandelier hangs. Tip: Make reservations in advance for concert nights to secure a spot.
When: daily 6 p.m. - 12 a.m., Friday and Saturday until 1 a.m.
Where: Yorckstraße 15, Kreuzberg
Tip 10: Donau 115 - experimental jazz in Neukölln
Small and unassuming, Donau 115 in Neukölln has gained a strong reputation in the jazz scene. Its success stems from a willingness to embrace new ideas and experimentation. Alongside cool jazz, you'll find intellectual atonal compositions and quirky acoustic pop. The crowd is young, the solos are long, and the drinks are affordable.
Tip: Checkt out the ‘Two song Tuesday’ - an fun Open Mike concept.
When: daily from 7.30 p.m. - midnight, showtime 8:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Where: Donaustraße 115, Neukölln
Tip 11: Loci Loft - real cool jazz in an upscale atmosphere
Jazz, soul, and occasionally a magic or burlesque show: Loci Loft consistently surprises with creative musical events. The menu is even tailored to match each concert’s theme. Seasonal events, like Christmas or Halloween, add to the diverse program. However, the core remains a solid jazz lineup in an atmosphere that feels almost upscale by Berlin standards, complete with polished wine glasses and cozy candlelight.
When: depending on the show
Where: Oraniendamm 72, Reinickendorf
