19 live music worth the night across Germany, editor-ranked. All Germany guides.
Elbphilharmonie ★ 4.8 · Hamburg
hafencity · Platz der Deutschen Einheit 1, 20457 Hamburg
Elbphilharmonie on Platz der Deutschen Einheit in Hamburg's HafenCity opened in 2017 with a 2100-seat Grosser Saal, hosting classical, jazz and contemporary at the Elbe.
Tip: The Plaza viewing deck at 37 metres is free with a timed ticket; concert tickets via box office or online.
Jazzclub Unterfahrt ★ 4.7 · Munich
haidhausen · Einsteinstrasse 42, 81675 Munich
Jazzclub Unterfahrt has run since 1978 in the cellar of the former Unionsbrauerei brewery on Einsteinstrasse, with around 180 seats and a daily-changing.
Tip: Doors usually open 60 minutes before the show; book ahead for named tours. U4 or U5 to Max-Weber-Platz.
A-Trane ★ 4.6 · Berlin
charlottenburg · Bleibtreustrasse 1, 10625 Berlin
A-Trane has run since 1992 around a 12-square-metre bandstand on Bleibtreustrasse in Charlottenburg, hosting nightly jazz sets in a 100-capacity room.
Tip: Doors at 21:00; the room books out for the late jam sessions on Saturday. Book ahead for named acts.
Laeiszhalle ★ 4.6 · Hamburg
neustadt · Johannes-Brahms-Platz, 20355 Hamburg
Laeiszhalle on Johannes-Brahms-Platz in Hamburg's Neustadt is the city's classical music hall since 1908, with a Grosse Saal seating 2000 for symphony and chamber concerts.
Tip: Box office open Tue to Fri 14:00-18:00; tickets also via Eventim.
Schmidts Tivoli ★ 4.5 · Hamburg
st-pauli · Spielbudenplatz 27-28, 20359 Hamburg
Schmidts Tivoli on Spielbudenplatz in Hamburg's Reeperbahn quarter has run the cult musical Heisse Ecke about St Pauli since 1999, plus variety, comedy and cabaret.
Tip: Heisse Ecke runs Wed to Sun; book online via tivoli.de. Two million attendees since premiere.
Quasimodo ★ 4.4 · Berlin
charlottenburg · Kantstrasse 12a, 10623 Berlin
Quasimodo on Kantstrasse runs as Berlin's longest-standing jazz club, with a basement stage that has booked blues, soul and funk acts alongside.
Tip: Cash at the door for the late set. The cafe upstairs runs earlier; the basement stage is where the music lives.
B-flat ★ 4.4 · Berlin
mitte · Dircksenstrasse 40, 10178 Berlin
B-flat in Mitte runs an acoustic jazz programme almost every night, with a low stage that puts the band a metre from the front row and a Wednesday jam called.
Tip: Robin's Nest jam Wednesdays runs three-euro admission and a deep local-musician turnout. Book named acts ahead.
Indra Live ★ 4.4 · Hamburg
st-pauli · Grosse Freiheit 64, 22767 Hamburg
Indra Club on Grosse Freiheit in Hamburg's St Pauli is the live music room where the Beatles first played in August 1960, before moving to the Kaiserkeller next door.
Tip: Beatles plaque outside; the small stage is the original wood floor. Wed and Thu jam sessions.
Knust ★ 4.4 · Hamburg
sternschanze · Neuer Kamp 30, 20359 Hamburg
Knust on Neuer Kamp in Hamburg's Karolinenviertel runs indie, rock and singer-songwriter shows in a 600-capacity room from a former slaughterhouse since 1976.
Tip: Cloakroom mandatory; the courtyard terrace runs in summer. Most shows 20:00-23:30.
Milla Club ★ 4.4 · Munich
glockenbachviertel · Holzstrasse 28, 80469 Munich
Milla Club opened in 2012 in a basement on Holzstrasse, founded by musicians Gerd Baumann, Till Hofmann and Peter Brugger; the room books indie, dream pop.
Tip: Concerts typically start at 19:00 or 20:00 with late dance floors after; buzz acts sell out, book ahead.
Yorckschloesschen ★ 4.3 · Berlin
kreuzberg · Yorckstrasse 15, 10965 Berlin
Yorckschloesschen has run on Yorckstrasse for over 120 years and books jazz, blues, soul, swing and funk Wednesday through Saturday in a smoky old-Berlin.
Tip: Live music Wednesday through Saturday; the kitchen runs until 22:00 weekdays and later on event nights. Cash at the door.
Lido ★ 4.3 · Berlin
kreuzberg · Cuvrystrasse 7, 10997 Berlin
Lido reopened in 2006 in a 1950s former cinema on the corner of Cuvry and Schlesische Strasse, booking indie, rock and pop concerts followed by DJ sets near.
Tip: Standing room only; the floor is flat so arrive early for sightlines. After-show club nights run until early morning.
Strom ★ 4.3 · Munich
sendling · Lindwurmstrasse 88, 80337 Munich
Strom opened in 2012 on Lindwurmstrasse near Goetheplatz with a small standing-room floor that puts the audience a metre from the stage, programming indie.
Tip: U3 or U6 to Goetheplatz brings you to the door. The room is small (around 300 standing), so buy ahead for buzz acts.
Astra Kulturhaus ★ 4.2 · Berlin
friedrichshain · Revaler Strasse 99, 10245 Berlin
Astra Kulturhaus on the RAW site in Friedrichshain has run mid-size concerts since 2009, with a programme that covers indie, rock, electro and experimental.
Tip: S-Bahn to Warschauer Strasse is five minutes away; tickets via Eventim for named tours. Coat check is fast.
Festsaal Kreuzberg ★ 4.2 · Berlin
treptow · Am Flutgraben 2, 12435 Berlin
Festsaal Kreuzberg is a former ballroom on the Arena complex by the Spree, hosting indie, electronic and experimental concerts in a raw industrial hall.
Tip: Despite the name the room sits in Treptow, not Kreuzberg; U Schlesisches Tor or S Treptower Park are both walkable.
Substanz Club ★ 4.1 · Munich
sendling · Ruppertstrasse 28, 80337 Munich
Substanz Club has run on Ruppertstrasse in Ludwigsvorstadt since 1990 as Munich's indie and punk grandfather, mixing live concerts with poetry slams.
Tip: Tuesday-Saturday doors at 18:30 until last call. The English Comedy Club and pub quiz nights are weeknight regulars; cash is easier than card.
Privatclub ★ 4.0 · Berlin
kreuzberg · Skalitzer Strasse 85-86, 10997 Berlin
Privatclub fills the old Schlesisches-Tor post office basement with newcomer bookings, alternative DJ nights and small touring shows on Skalitzer Strasse.
Tip: Capacity is small (around 300); buy ahead for buzz acts. The bar runs cash plus card.
Kilians Irish Pub ★ 4.0 · Munich
altstadt-lehel · Frauenplatz 11, 80331 Munich
Kilians Irish Pub sits in the shadow of the Frauenkirche on Frauenplatz with live music five nights a week, a six-metre bar and a mix of solo Irish folk acts.
Tip: No cover for the live music. Solo acts Mon and Wed, bigger bands Thu through Sat; arrive by 21:00 on weekends for a seat.
Kennedy's ★ 3.8 · Munich
altstadt-lehel · Sendlinger-Tor-Platz 11, 80336 Munich
Kennedy's at Sendlinger Tor runs a 6-metre Victorian bar and a wide terrace, with live music or karaoke every evening, broadcasts of international sport.
Tip: Live music starts around 22:00 most nights; karaoke takes the remaining slots. Terrace is open in warm weather.