Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nbi
Schönhauser Allee 36
T
030 67 30 44 57,
W
neueberlinerinitiative.de; U-Eberswalder Str; map
p.132.
In a residential neighbourhood, this lounge-cum-
club has to keep the volume down; it's used this to its
advantage, creating a comfortable environment to
appreciate cutting-edge electronic music. DJs come here to
hear each other experiment. Entry €3.
Daily 8pm until late.
Pavillon
Friedenstr. in Volkspark
T
0172 750 47 24,
W
pavillon-berlin.de; U-Strausberger Platz; map p.132.
Beer garden by day and club by night, surrounded by the
laid-back greenery of Volkspark Friedrichshain, this venue
is best in the summer when its hundred-person dancefloor
packs out to the sounds of funk, Nu Jazz and soul.
March-
Oct Mon-Fri 11am until late, Sat & Sun 10am until late.
Scotch & Sofa
Kollwitzstr. 18
T
030 44 04 23 71;
S-Senefelderplatz; map p.132.
This highly agreeable,
quietly hip neighbourhood bar is a fine spot for sinking into
an old sofa, sipping on a decently made cocktail and having a
tête-à-tête. They always play interesting music - everything
from Elvis to rap - and smokers and ping-pong fans can
indulge their passions downstairs.
Daily 2pm-any time.
Soda
Knaackstr. 97
T
030 44 31 51 44,
W
soda-berlin
.de; U-Eberswalder Strasse; map p.132.
Club in the
Kulturbrauerei cultural centre, located in a former brewery.
The usual diet of soul, house and funk is interrupted on Thurs
& Sun by well-attended salsa nights, and occasional live acts,
too. Marred by some of Berlin's highest bar prices.
Thurs 8pm
until late, Fri & Sat 11pm until late, Sun 7pm until late.
Zu mir oder zu dir
Lychener Str. 15
T
0176 24 42 29
40; U-Eberswalder Strasse; map p.132.
Groovy, very
Seventies lounge-bar with a sociable vibe and lots of sofas
to crash out on. A good place to start a night out, even if the
cheeky name- translating as “your place or mine?” -
suggests you might end it here.
Daily 8pm until late.
14
JAZZ, BLUES AND WORLD MUSIC
SPANDAUER VORSTADT
b-flat
Rosenthaler Str. 13
T
030 283 31 23,
W
b-flat
-berlin.de; U-Weinmeisterstrasse; map pp.72-73.
This
cosy jazz bar, with windows facing onto the street and
small bar at the back, offers a mix of local musicians and
the occasional international act. Popular at weekends, and
there's also a busy free jam session on Wed. Entry €12.
Mon-Sat 9pm until late.
p.108.
Casual cellar bar that's one of Berlin's best jazz spots,
with black-and-white photos, low ceilings, intimate tables
and nightly programmes. A high-quality mix of
international, usually American, stars and up-and-coming
names. Also funk, blues and Latin. Often free on weekdays,
otherwise €7-28.
Daily 9pm-2am.
WESTERN KREUZBERG
Yorckschlösschen
Yorckstr. 15
T
030 215 80 70,
W
yorckschloesschen.de; U-Mehringdamm; map p.118.
Century-old local institution that's preserved a 1970s feel
and is still famous as an artists' drinking den and a place to
enjoy free live jazz, swing, blues and country. Basic food
served.
Summer daily 10am-3am; rest of year Mon-
Sat 5pm-3am, Sun 10am-3am.
TIERGARTEN
Haus der Kulturen der Welt
John-Foster-Dulles-Allee
10
T
030 39 78 70,
W
hkw.de; S-Hauptbahnhof;
map
pp.90-91.
The city's number-one venue for world music is
always worth checking out.
CITY WEST
A-Trane
Bleibtreustr./Pestalozzistr.
T
030 313 25 50,
W
a-trane.de; U-Savignyplatz; map p.108.
Small and
smoky jazz den; a good place for both up-and-coming and
well-known jazz artists. Best during Sat-night jams, when
musicians arrive from other venues and join in at will
throughout the evening. Entry €6-21.
Daily 9pm until late.
Quasimodo
Kantstr. 12a
T
030 312 80 86,
W
quasimodo.de; U- & S-Zoologischer Garten; map
WILMERSDORF
Badenscher Hof
Badensche Str. 29
T
030 861 00 80,
W
badenscher-hof.de; U-Blissestrasse; map p.154.
Lively café-restaurant and long-standing jazz venue that
draws in the Schöneberg crowd for its frequent concerts.
Expect any type of jazz - from mainstream to modern - or
blues.
Mon-Fri 4pm until late, Sat 6pm until late.
JAZZ IN BERLIN
Though long-standing and high-quality, Berlin's
jazz and blues
scene lacks the reputation it
deserves. Much of it was spawned in the Cold War days in those parts of Berlin occupied by
American forces, where a discerning and experienced audience could add authenticity to
proceedings. But the scene has long outlived this era, generally maintaining its own momentum
in traditional haunts that survive well outside the rest of Berlin's nightlife landscape. Jazz fans
should make sure to check out
Jazzfest Berlin
(
W
jazzfest-berlin.de) in late Oct/early Nov.
Running since the 1960s, with a varied programme attracting big names at venues throughout
the city, it's traditional and progressive in equal parts, focusing on big bands and large ensembles.
