
Are your ears ringing from the thumping beats of your night out at the weekend? Want a break from the bass but are still after a mellow musical evening? Or do you want to try out that new song you’ve written on a supportive audience? Check out our list of Berlin’s best open mic nights, where you can listen and play almost every night of the week. From jazz jam sessions, acoustic stages and even comedy, there’s loads of opportunities to show Berlin what you’ve got.
Sunday
Kindl Stuben

Topping the list is a firm favourite, the open stage at Kindl Stuben, which recently celebrated its 300th event! The host’s tag line for the event is ‘Shut the Fuck Up’, and he will tell you to do so if you’re chit chatting during the performances. This means its an absolute treat for both performers and listeners alike. They always have a really excellent featured artist for the first fifteen minutes or so, and then the stage is open to musicians, storytellers and poets who have something to share.
- Sign up at 19:30, runs 20:00-00:00. 2 songs / 10 mins limit. Acoustic guitar to borrow.
- Kindl Stuben, Sonnenallee 92, Neukölln, details.
Two Fellas Brewery

If you’ve ever been to Ireland and walked into a pub, you’re likely to have come across a Trad session (traditional Irish music). The format is simple – bring an instrument (or just your voice), and play, sing or clap along to traditional Irish folk tunes. In Ireland its an event where all generations come together to make music together in an informal way, and it feels like a little bit of the Emerald Isle has made its way to Pankow at the Two Fellas Brewery. Come along and join in with a Guiness or a whisky in hand.
- No sign up, runs 19:00-22:00. No instruments provided.
- Two Fellas Brewery, Mühlenstr. 30, Pankow, details.
Monday
Barkett

You need to plan in advance if you want to play here and sign up beforehand via Facebook. They always have a fantastic featured performer before the open stage starts, so expect a high standard of performance and a cosy atmosphere.
- Sign up beforehand via FB message, starts 20:30.
- Barkett, Czeminskistr. 10, Schöneberg, details.
Arcanoa

Singer-songwriters and poets take the stage at Arcanoa on Mondays, with a multi-cultural folk session on Thursdays as well. The time limit for performers will depend on how many turn up on the day.
- Doors at 20:00. No instruments provided.
- Arcanoa, Am Tempelhofer Berg 8, Kreuzberg, details.
Tuesday
Donau115

Donau115’s cosy open mic has been running since 2019, and the little space is always crowded on a Tuesday evening. Host Chad runs a friendly and supportive listening event, with a strict time limit of ten minutes meaning lots of people get a chance to perform.
- Sign up from 19:00, starts 20:00. 2 songs / 10 mins limit. Piano available.
- Donau115, Donaustr. 115, Neukölln, details.
Badehaus Berlin

The Swag Jam has been running since 2011 and is Berlin’s finest hip-hop open mic jam. The evening always opens with a special guest act, followed by the open mic, finshing off with an DJ aftershow party. It’s an evening of pure good vibes, all supported by the amazing musicians of The Swag.
- No sign up, doors at 20:00, starts 21:00. 1 song limit.
- Badehaus Berlin, Revaler Str. 99, Friedrichshain, details.
Zum Krokodil

You’re really spoilt for choice on a Tuesday it seems, and Zum Krokodil is another fantastic spot to come and bust out some tunes. Host Conor creates an encouraging atmosphere for nervous newbies and experienced strummers alike. They’re on a summer break right now but will be back in September.
- Sign up at 19:00. 2 songs / poems limit. Piano available.
- Zum Krokodil, Weserstr. 20, Neukölln, details.
Wednesday
Laksmi

The red saturated light and smokey atmosphere of Laksmi makes for a particularly atmospheric open mic, as has been happening every Wednesday since 2016. It’s another event where listening is at the fore, and the performers sway on a bar stool in the hazy air until late into the evening. They also have a pub quiz on the first Tuesday of the month.
- Sign up at 19:30, starts 20:00. 2 song limit. Piano and guitar available.
- Laksmi, Wrangelstr. 93, Wrangelkiez, details.
Prachtwerk

Don’t be daunted by the size of the stage, the crowd at Prachtwerk are friendly and attentive. It’s a real treat to play in such a great space, and the bar has a great drinks selection too.
- Sign up at 19:30, starts 20:00. 2 songs / 10 mins limit. Piano and acoustic guitar available.
- Practwerk, Ganghoferstr. 2, Neukölln, details.
Friday
Theater im Kino e.V.

Good music and great vibes are guaranteed at Theater im Kino’s open mic on the first Friday of every month. They’re currently on a summer break but will be back on September 1.
- Doors at 21:00. 3 songs / 15 mins limit. Piano and guitar available.
- Theater im Kino e.V., Rigaer Str. 77, Friedrichshain, details.
The Hat Bar

Come for the jazz, stay for the insanely delicious cocktails and the chance to jump on stage any night of the week to jam at The Hat in Charlottenburg. It’s one of our favourite spots to hear jazz in the city, and the musical standard is always extremely high.
- No sign up, open 20:00-02:00. Piano provided.
- The Hat, Lotte-Lenya-Bogen 550, Charlottenburg, details.
Comedy
Smut Slam

Once a month make your way to Villa Kuriosum for Berlin’s only community dirty storytelling open mic. Created by award-winning playwright and performer Cameryn Moore, brave storytellers get up in front of the audience to tell their juiciest, smuttiest tales. Our very own Jonny Tiernan, the Exberliner Editor-in-Chief, is sometimes a host judge. It is a night of guaranteed merriment.
Villa Kuriosum also have an open stage every first and third Wednesday of the month. Sign up before hand via email and come and perform anything you like for up to ten minutes, from magic tricks to poetry.
- Doors at 18:00, runs 19:00-21:30.
- Villa Kuriosum, Scheffelstr. 21, Friedrichshain, details.
Comedy Cafe Berlin

For improv veterans and newbies alike the best place in town to come and strengthen your funny bone is Neukölln’s Comedy Café. Just sign up on the door and they draw teams randomly until everyone’s had a chance to perform. It’s fun, relaxed, and really supportive. There’s usually a free show straight afterwards if you want to keep the funny going.
- Sign up 19:45, runs 20:00-22:00.
- Comedy Café Berlin, Roseggerstr. 17, Neukölln, details.