Arts & Entertainment Best Bets
Best Cabaret
Bar Jeder Vernunft Schaperstrasse 24 (Go to Page)
Best Jazz Club
Quasimodo Kantstrasse 12a (Go to Page)
Best Contemporary Opera
Komische Oper Behrenstrasse 55–57 (Go to Page)
Best Symphony Orchestra
Berliner Philharmoniker Herbert-von-Karajan-Strasse 1 (Go to Page)
Best for Rock & Indie Concerts
Columbia Halle Columbiadamm 13–21 (Go to Page)
Best for Drama Classics
Deutsches Theater Schumannstrasse 13a (Go to Page)
Best Opera Company
Staatsoper Unter den Linden Unter den Linden 7 (Go to Page)
Best Arthouse Cinema
Arsenal Potsdamer Strasse 2 (Go to Page)
Best for Classical Concerts
Konzerthaus Gendarmenmarkt 2 (Go to Page)
Best for Cutting-Edge Culture
Kulturbrauerei Schönhauser Allee 36 (Go to Page)
Best for Glitzy Vaudeville
FriedrichstadtPalast Friedrichstrasse 107 (Go to Page)
Best for Jazz Jam Sessions
A-Trane Bleibtreustrasse 1 (Go to Page)
Best Burlesque Show
Kleine Nachtrevue Kurfürstenstrasse 116 (Go to Page)
Best for Football Fans
Hertha BSC Olympiastadion (Go to Page)
Best for Musicals
Theater des Westens Kantstrasse 12 (Go to Page)
Cabaret & Vaudeville
Bar Jeder Vernunft CHARLOTTENBURG At home in a glittering Spiegeltent (Mirror Tent) that evokes the Roaring Twenties, Bar Jeder Vernunft works hard to take you back to the days of Sally Bowles and the Kit Kat Club of the movie Cabaret. The first-rate comedy, dance, and chanson performances whisk you back to a Berlin still enshrined in the popular imagination. Schaperstrasse 24. 
030-883-15-82. www.bar-jeder-vernunft.de. Tickets 22€–60€. U-Bahn: Spichernstrasse. Map.
Chamäleon Varieté MITTE For circus-style slapstick, head to this informal theater in the Hackesche Höfe. From clowns to jugglers and aerialists, the eclectic variety acts keep the young crowd in fits of giggles. Hackesche Höfe. 030-400-05-90. www.chamaeleonberlin.de. Tickets 36€–46€. S-Bahn: Hackescher Markt. Map.
Die Stachelschweine CHARLOTTENBURG A staple in Berlin’s entertainment diet, “the porcupines” theater stages excellent literary cabaret (in German) where performances prickle with sharp political satire. Europa Center. 030-261-47-95. www.diestachelschweine.de. Tickets 15€–30€. U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten. Map.
FriedrichstadtPalast MITTE Europe’s largest revue theater presents an exuberant feast of sequin-studded costumes, vaudeville performances, and leggy showgirls. Friedrichstrasse 107. 030-23-26-23-26. www.friedrichstadtpalast.de. Tickets 19€–110€. S-Bahn: Friedrichstrasse. Map.
Kleine Nachtrevue CHARLOTTENBURG This small theater catapults you back to 1920s Berlin. It’s feted for burlesque performances that are risqué but not lewd, creating a successful blend of erotica and nostalgia with satirical undertones. Kurfürstenstrasse 116. 030-218-89-50. www.kleinenachtrevue.de. Tickets 22€–32€. U-Bahn: Wittenbergplatz. Map.
TIPI TIERGARTEN This meringue-like marquee, between Haus der Kulturen der Welt and the Bundeskanzleramt, stages chanson, cabaret, variety theater, dance, and musical comedy. Grosse Querallee. 030-39-06-65-50. www.tipi-am-kanzleramt.de. Tickets 25€–60€. S-Bahn: Unter den Linden. Map.
Pick up a copy of the bi-weekly magazine Tip (www.tip-berlin.de), 3.50€, for up-to-date concert, theater, and events listings. Most venues let you pre-book tickets online or by phone. Ticket agencies are another option, but be prepared to pay a 10%–15% booking fee. The online booking service Hekticket (
030-230-99-30; www.hekticket.de) accepts all major credit cards and posts tickets worldwide; half-price tickets are often available for same-day performances from ticket booths at Hardenbergstrasse 29 (opposite Zoologischer Garten station) and Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 13 (Alexanderplatz S-Bahn station).
Wintergarten Varieté MITTE Berlin’s most celebrated variety theater welcomes a fanfare of trapeze artists, contortionists, and clowns, all beneath a star-studded ceiling. Potsdamer Strasse 96. 030-58-84-33. www.wintergarten-variete.de. Tickets 21€–57€. U-Bahn: Kurfürstenstrasse. Map.
Classical, Opera & Ballet
Berliner Philharmoniker MITTE Hans Scharoun’s asymmetrical Philharmonie concert hall is home to the high-profile Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle. Performances in the philharmonic’s acoustically superb hall include the great symphonic repertoire and chamber music. Herbert-von-Karajan-Strasse 1. 030-25-48-89-99. www.berliner-philharmoniker.de. Tickets 10€–150€. S-Bahn: Potsdamer Platz. Map.
Deutsche Oper Berlin CHARLOTTENBURG For decades after the war, and before reunification, this was West Berlin’s one and only opera house. Alongside classic international opera productions, the venue stages regular classical concerts, recitals, and ballet. Bismarckstrasse 35. 030-34-38-43-43. www.deutscheoperberlin.de. Tickets 10€–120€. U-Bahn: Deutsche Oper. Map.
Komische Oper MITTE The opulent hall of this high-caliber opera house resembles a giant Fabergé egg. Avant-garde opera productions, musical theater, and ballet are performed in German. Behrenstrasse 55–57. 030-47-99-74-00. www.komische-oper-berlin.de. Tickets 10€–100€. U-Bahn: Französische Strasse. Map.
Konzerthaus MITTE Mozart once took the stage here and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 premiered at this grand concert hall, still as popular today with classical music lovers. Home to the Deutsches Sinfonie-Orchester, the hall also serves as venue for countless concerts and recitals. Gendarmenmarkt 2. 030-203-09-21-01. www.konzerthaus.de. Tickets 10€–100€. U-Bahn: Französische Strasse: Map.
Staatsoper Unter den Linden MITTE Richard Strauss was once chief conductor at Berlin’s oldest opera house. Today, the much-loved venue provides a stage for opera, chamber concerts, recitals, and ballet of remarkable quality. Unter den Linden 7; box office Bismarckstrasse 110. 030-20-35-45-55. www.staatsoper-berlin.org. Tickets 14€–160€. U-Bahn: Französische Strasse. Map.
Film
Arsenal MITTE This excellent cinema on Potsdamer Platz screens art-house films: from silent movies to French classics and retrospectives. Most are shown in their original language. Potsdamer Strasse 2. 030-26-95-51-00. www.arsenal-berlin.de. Tickets 7.50€. S-Bahn: Potsdamer Platz. Map.
CinemaxX Potsdamer MITTE Hollywood blockbusters and mainstream releases attract cinemagoers to this 19-screen multiplex on Potsdamer Platz. Most are in German only. Potsdamer Strasse 5. 01805-24-63-62-99. www.cinemaxx.de. Tickets 6€–8.50€. S-Bahn: Potsdamer Platz. Map.
Hackesche Höfe Kino MITTE This theater set in the Art Nouveau courtyards of Hackesche Höfe reels in movie buffs with a line-up of artistic and experimental film. Hackesche Höfe. 030-283-46-03. www.hoefekino.de. Tickets 7€–8.50€. S-Bahn: Hackescher Markt. Map.
Live Music
A-Trane CHARLOTTENBURG This friendly jazz club has seen the likes of Diana Krall, Alice Coltrane, and Herbie Hancock perform in the past. Don’t miss Saturday’s free late-night jam sessions. Bleibtreustrasse 1. 030-313-25-50. www.a-trane.de. Cover 9€–30€. S-Bahn: Savignyplatz. Map.
B-Flat MITTE The emphasis here is on modern jazz and acoustic music, stretching from world rhythms to Latin beats, bebop to big bands. On Wednesdays there’s free entry to Robin Draganic’s jam sessions. Rosenthaler Strasse 13. 030-283-31-23. www.b-flat-berlin.de. Cover free–13€. U-Bahn: Rosenthaler Platz. Map.
Columbia Halle TEMPELHOF Columbia Halle is Berlin’s top stage for rock, pop, and indie concerts. Recent headliners include Franz Ferdinand and Arctic Monkeys. Columbiadamm 13–21. 030-698-09-80. www.columbiahalle.de. Tickets 20€–60€. U-Bahn: Platz der Luftbrücke.
Kulturbrauerei PRENZLAUER BERG This gigantic cultural complex occupies the former Schultheiss Brewery. The program is diverse, comprising opera, dance, theater, festivals, concerts, and film screenings. You’ll also find clubs, bars, and restaurants on site. Schönhauser Allee 36. 030-44-31-51-51. www.kulturbrauerei.de. Ticket prices vary. U-Bahn: Eberswalder Strasse.
Quasimodo CHARLOTTENBURG This basement is jam-packed most nights with a lineup alternating big names with local talent. The venue occasionally embraces blues, Latin, or rock. Don’t miss Wednesday night’s free live jam. Kantstrasse 12a. 030-312-80-86. www.quasimodo.de. Cover 5€–24€. U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten. Map.
Spectator Sports
Alba Berlin PRENZLAUER BERG Basketball fans pile into Max-Schmeling-Halle arena to catch Alba Berlin’s home matches (Sept–May). The team has a string of Bundesliga titles and German Cups to its name. Am Falkplatz. 030-30-09-05-55. www.albaberlin.de. Tickets 10€–60€. U-Bahn: Schönhauser Allee. Map.
Hertha BSC CHARLOTTENBURG Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, which hosted the final of the 2006 football (soccer) World Cup, is the stomping ground of German league club Hertha BSC. Match tickets are usually available on the day. Olympiastadion. 01805-18-92-00. www.herthabsc.de. Tickets 10€–37€. S-Bahn: Olympiastadion. Map.
Theater
Admiralspalast MITTE This Art Deco theater was a major stomping ground in the 1920s, when it was a cabaret, spa, and brothel. Alongside theater productions, you’ll find thermal baths, a cafe, and a nightclub. Friedrichstrasse 101–102. 030-47-99-74-99. www.admiralspalast.de. Tickets 15€–33€. S-Bahn: Friedrichstrasse. Map.
Deutsches Theater MITTE The varied repertoire at this elegant 19th-century theater ranges from classics such as Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (in German) to Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s Die Physiker and contemporary works. Schumannstrasse 13a. 030-28-44-12-25. www.deutschestheater.de. Tickets 8€–45€. U-Bahn: Oranienburger Tor. Map.
Maxim Gorki Theater MITTE Expect a scintillating program featuring the likes of Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther or Chekhov’s drama The Cherry Orchard. Young German playwrights also feature prominently. Am Festungsgraben 2. 030-20-22-11-15. www.gorki.de. Tickets 10€–35€. S-Bahn: Friedrichstrasse. Map.
Theater des Westens CHARLOTTENBURG Josephine Baker and Marlene Dietrich both performed at this glorious Art Nouveau theater. Nowadays it stages Broadway-style musicals in German, such as The Three Musketeers and Tanz der Vampire. Kantstrasse 12. 030-31-90-30. Ticket prices vary. U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten. Map.
