Music venues come in all shapes and sizes and cater to a variety of artists at different stages in their careers. In this article, we’ll break down some of our favorite, lesser-known, venues in Berlin where both artists and show-goers alike can find either new artists to enjoy or new venues for performance opportunities. In a city with so many artists, finding venues to perform at can be challenging, particularly if you are in the early stages of your career and may not have the ability to bring in a large crowd. Below, we’ll go over some tips and tricks to find new performance opportunities even if you’re just starting out. Whether it be a ticketed event or an open mic - opportunities to practice and perfect one’s showmanship are important for any artist regardless of where they are in their career.

1) Prachtwerk – Music venue and Open Mic

Located in Neukölln right off of Karl-Marx Straße, Prachtwerk is both a cafe, bar, and music venue. For artists Prachtwerk hosts a weekly open-mic or ‘open stage’ and is also a music venue hoisting artists from a variety of genres. What is unique to Prachtwerk is that their stage offers artists the atmosphere, higher quality equipment, and platform stage that is not commonly found in spaces that offer open mics. For audiences, Prachtwerk, whether attending a ticketed show or openstage offers an impressive array of high-quality musicianship. The quaint venue offers a warm atmosphere to both artists and show-goers alike. Whether you are looking to warm up your performance skills or are looking for live music on a Saturday night, Prachtwerk is a spot to not to miss! At the time of writing, performing at the open mic or ‘open stage’ typically required emailing Prachtwerk in advance Prachtwerk typically limits their openstage to a smaller number of artists compared to other open mics. If you’re an artist wanting to get more experience in a “real life” music venue without the stress of a ticketed event than Prachtwerk is a great option to check out!
Prachtwerk Homepage: https://www.prachtwerkberlin.com/

2) Badehaus - Music Venue and Jam Session
Badehaus is located in the street art adorned walls of the RAW complex just a five to ten minute walk from the Warschauer S+U Bahn. Badehaus is a music venue not only for international acts of all different genres but also hosts a weekly hip-hop jam session which invites both local and international artists to perform. The jam session hosts a unique format whereby an artist is typically invited to perform in addition to an open-mic format where artists are welcomed on stage if they chose to perform. The backing band generally maintains the same set group of incredibly talented musicians week to week so if you chose to perform as an artist rest assured you will be in good hands. For those on the business side of the industry, the Swag Jam is a great networking event particularly for those interested in hip hop. The Swag Jam happens every Tuesday at 8pm!
Badehaus Homepage: https://badehaus-berlin.com/



3) Silver Future Open Mic
Both Silver Future and Tipsy Bear are queer bars and open mics located in Neukölln and Mitte respectively. Silver Future is accessible via bus and the Hermannplatz U-Bahn. Outside of being a bar Silver Future hosts a variety of events for artists and musicians and is a great spot to familiarize yourself with for anyone new to the queer community in Berlin. Their monthly open-mic is popular amongst its committed community-base therefore if you do decide to perform rest-assured you will have an audience! Silver Future caters itself primarily towards singers-songwriters (i.e. vocals and acoustic guitar). The stage is small and in case of any specific questions or requests relating to what instruments you can bring it is advised to contact Silver Future directly. The open mic is first-come, first-serve and spots do fill up quickly since the open-mic only occurs once a month and is popular. Names are selected from a hat and picked at random therefore while a limited number of slots are available the order in which performances happen is random. If interested in performing it is best to show up early and get your name on the list before all slots are taken. For anyone in the queer community wishing to share music or poetry in a safe and receptive environment, Silver Future’s open mic should be on your list! The open mic does not occur at the same time every month therefore it is advised to check their Instagram to see when you can perform next!
Silverfuture Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silverfuture_bar/


4) Donau115
Donau115 is a cozy and quaint bar with an unassuming outward appearance from its outdoor entrance. It’s Tuesday open mics have become a popular meeting spot for both musicians and industry professionals looking to network and unwind to new music. Similar to Silver Future, the open mic is a popular event therefore if you’re looking to shake some stage-fright Donau115 gives you an audience without much pressure. Additionally, it caters to singer-songwriters and is equipped with a piano. Each artist has a song limit of two songs per artist and cannot go over ten minutes ensuring that all artists are allotted the same amount of time. Rough around the edges, Donau115 is an open-mic worth playing at least once or twice particularly if you’re an artist that is new to Berlin and wanting to acquaint yourself with other musicians and music business professionals in Berlin. It is recommended to arrive early to ensure your spot on the list.

Donau115 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donau115/?hl=en

5) Kindle Stuben Open Mic – A Creative Hideaway
Located in the heart of Neukölln (aka Sonnenallee) Kindle Stube is another hidden gem in Berlin’s vibrant music scene. This cozy, intimate venue offers open mic nights that are perfect for both emerging artists headed by a different ‘established’ artist every week. With its dim lighting, vintage décor, and close-knit audience, Kindle Stube provides an authentic bohemian feel. The open mic here is known for its eclectic mix of performers. The venue’s small size adds to the charm, making each performance feel personal and engaging. While the sign-up process is usually casual, it's wise to arrive early as the list fills up quickly. Kindle Stube is a great place to enjoy an evening of creativity and originality, whether you're performing or simply soaking in the atmosphere.
Kindle Stuben Homepage: https://www.kindlstuben.de/

6) Barkett Open Mic – A Hub for Emerging Artists
Situated in Schöneberg, Barkett offers a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere for artists of all levels through its popular open mic nights. Barkett is known for its supportive community, making it a welcoming space for both new and seasoned performers. The venue, with its exquisite décor (the stage’s walls are covered with real green moss) and high-end technique (sound, light and recording options), hosts open mics that feature a wide range of music styles, from indie folk to electronica and everything in between. Sign-ups are done online.
Barkett Homepage: http://www.barkett.berlin/events