The Best Rock Venues In Berlin

Berlin has a rich history with rock music, with links to everyone from U2 to Rammstein, Bowie to the Beatsteaks. Naturally, the city has a plethora of venues in which you can see bands play live. But what makes a good rock venue? It should have great sound, it shouldn’t be too polished or too corporate (sorry, Mercedes-Benz Arena), and it should put on great bands. Luckily, there are several in Germany’s capital that get it just right. Here’s our pick of the best rock venues in Berlin.

1. Lido

Cinema

Lido is a converted 1950s cinema, and has been open in its current guise as a gig venue since 2006. Its distinctive main hall – complete with giant mirrorball – offers excellent sound and affords a good view from most vantage points. Some of its best shows from the past few months include The Julie Ruin, The Bronx, and former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell.

2. Astra Kulturhaus

Bar, Fusion

For larger international bands, Astra Kulturhaus is your best bet. The venue dates back to the 1950s, but its program is certainly contemporary, with upcoming shows from the likes of Twenty-One Pilots as well as established acts such as Skunk Anansie. Shows do tend to sell out in advance, so make sure to get your tickets early.

SO36

Oranienstraße 190, Berlin, Germany

3. Musik & Frieden

Musik & Frieden

The recently-revamped Musik & Frieden (music and peace) sits in the space formerly occupied by the Magnet Club and the Comet Club. It officially reopened at the end of 2015, with three concert rooms and the enchanting Baumhaus bar for acoustic gigs. Since reopening, the venue team has set to work putting together a stellar program of gigs for the next few months, including Tonight Alive, Tesseract, and Neck Deep.

Falckensteinstraße 48, Berlin, Germany

Cassiopeia is a basement venue showcasing punk, alternative and rock acts. | © Nicolas Nova/Flickr

4. Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia puts on a treasure trove of punk, alternative, and hardcore gigs amid its program of club nights. It’s in the RAW Gelände just off Revalerstraße, and the venue itself can be found in a basement between a climbing wall and a skate hall. The sound is great, and there’s a leafy beer garden outside, so in summer you can watch climbers scale the Kletterturm while you enjoy a pre-show beer.

Revaler Straße 99, Berlin, Germany

Atari Teenage Riot at Bi Nuu | © Mike Menzel, courtesy of Bi Nuu

5. Bi Nuu

Nightclub, Beer, German

Its a special rock show that takes place in the middle of a forest

A smaller venue tucked away under Schlesisches Tor U-bahn station, Bi Nuu is a great place to catch more underground and upcoming bands. Its high ceilings and arched windows give it a distinctive atmosphere and the sound is always spot-on. It’s recently played host to the likes of Slaves and Atari Teenage Riot, and future shows include The Temperance Movement and Escape The Fate. Don’t miss the chance to see next year’s big things now, by keeping an eye on www.binuu.de.

6. Waldbühne

Forest, Theater

Waldbühne deserves a mention here because of its unusual – almost magical – setting in the middle of a forest. It plays host to an older guard of rockers – this summer both Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath will grace its stage.
This is just a selection of Berlin’s rock venues, and music fans should also check out listings for Huxleys Neue Welt, C-Club/Colombiahalle, Tempodrom, Postbahnhof, and the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.