14 live music worth the night across Germany, editor-ranked. All Germany guides.
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 programme that booked Jazzclub Unterfahrt into the Down Beat world top 100.
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 with deep international booking.
Tip: Doors at 21:00; the room books out for the late jam sessions on Saturday. Book ahead for named acts.
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 straight-ahead jazz since 1975.
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 Robin's Nest.
Tip: Robin's Nest jam Wednesdays runs three-euro admission and a deep local-musician turnout. Book named acts ahead.
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, neo-soul, jazz and electronic concerts plus monthly Jazz Jam nights.
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 saloon with a beer garden.
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 U Schlesisches Tor.
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, punk, rock, hip-hop and electronic acts plus theme parties.
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 shows plus DJ-set party nights.
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 with a 1,000-capacity standing floor.
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, comedy nights, an English-language quiz and Tuesday-to-Saturday DJ sets.
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 between Goerlitzer Park and the Spree.
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 on weekdays and bigger blues and rock bands on weekends.
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 and a kitchen that turns out Irish-pub plates until late.
Tip: Live music starts around 22:00 most nights; karaoke takes the remaining slots. Terrace is open in warm weather.