b-flat

The roots of b-flat go back to the colourful 1990s in Berlin. To 1995, to be precise. That was the year when musician brothers Jannis and Thanassis Zotos and actor André Hennicke founded their own jazz club. It was located in the middle of what was then a much wilder area around Hackescher Markt, which offered an ideal audience as a meeting place for artists, adventurous people and night owls. The b-flat has retained some of this wildness to this day, but it also bridges the gap to today's chic Mitte district.

Stage area and bar at their finest

Upon entering the b-flat, the atmospheric interior immediately catches the eye. Architect Claudius Pratsch is responsible for this. The raw brick walls, red floor and heavy dark stage curtains provide the basic ingredients for the atmosphere. It doesn't take much to create an atmospheric setting. And at b-flat, the combination of a feel-good atmosphere for the audience and artists with good room acoustics seems to come effortlessly.

A long, curved bar beckons to the side of the stage and audience area. You can also enjoy the concerts from here, and the view of the audience adds another dimension to the experience. At the bar, you'll also be the first to enjoy the mixed drinks that are particularly important at b-flat. The bar food, with small snacks and tapas, goes wonderfully with this. But the main thing at b-flat is and remains the music.

The be-all and end-all – music at b-flat

Jörg Zieprig is the man who fills the rooms with sound. He has been responsible for booking at b-flat since 1997. With his sophisticated programmes, he quickly made a name for himself on the scene – and helped b-flat achieve sold-out concerts: there is a concert almost every evening from 9 p.m. onwards. The programme is completely undogmatic and brings a wide variety of musicians and subgenres of jazz to its stage.

Many international jazz greats have already played at b-flat. These include Randy Brecker, Harry Connick Jr., Alexander von Schlippenbach and the Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis. However, the programme also regularly features local Berlin heroes. This is because b-flat sees itself as one of the central locations for Berlin's live music scene. Tickets for the concerts remain affordable, costing between £15 and £25.

Visit Robins Nest

Sound artworks have been emerging from the Robins Nest jam session since 1999. Bassist Robin Draganic organises these colourful evenings and, for a friendly £3 admission fee, opens a big bag of jazz surprises every Wednesday evening. Robins Nest is the perfect introduction to the musical world of b-flat. There are always different and new musicians to discover, and no two evenings are the same – jamming at its finest.

Everyone is welcome

Casualness is a must at b-flat: regulars, students, travellers and jazz enthusiasts from all over the world meet in a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. Both the businessman in a three-piece suit and the jazz freak with nickel-rimmed glasses can feel at home here.

Our tips

• Out and about in Mitte in the evening? Why not drop in at b-flat? There's a concert almost every day.
• Don't miss the "Robins Nest" jam session every Wednesday – admission is only three euros.
• The team at b-flat attaches great importance to good cocktails. It's worth visiting the bar after the concert, and admission is free.
• If you're really interested in a particular act, be sure to buy your tickets online in advance so you can enjoy a relaxed evening.

Your visit to b-flat

Most evenings, concerts start at 9 p.m. b-flat opens its doors one hour before the concert begins. Admission is free after the concerts. The jazz club is centrally located and easily accessible. It's only five minutes away from Hackescher Markt or Alexanderplatz.

Additionally:

U2, U5 and U8, getting off at Alexanderplatz

M1 and M5, get off at Hackescher Markt

When: Daily except Monday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Where: Dircksenstraße 40, Mitte