Quasimodo
The legendary Berlin jazz club is enjoying a second spring.
Go down the stairs, through the door, and into Quasimodo, a true institution among Berlin's jazz clubs.
There was a time when Kantstraße was the lifeline of Berlin's nightlife. The Paris Bar and the Schwarze Café still fly the flag today. The legendary Quasimodo is also at home here. It is charmingly located beneath the Delphi-Filmpalast, one of the city's most beautiful cinemas. The illuminated bar of the Quasimodo alone creates a cinematic atmosphere with its façade. When you descend the stone steps to the club on the left, you leave the upper world behind and enter Berlin's vibrant jazz history.
This club breathes jazz history
The basement of the Delphi cinema has long been a venue for all kinds of celebrations. Since the late 1960s, the focus has shifted more and more to jazz. Under the aegis of Giorgio Carioti, Quasimodo rose to the Olympus of international jazz clubs from 1975 onwards.
Prince, Chaka Khan and Nigel Kennedy have all performed here. Wait a minute? Yes, Quasimodo was and remains open to funk, blues and soul, and occasionally even classical music and rock – BAP gave their first Berlin concert here. In addition, Maceo Parker and Branford Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker and Pat Metheny have all performed in the venerable rooms of the Quasimodo. Half of the Hall of Fame of jazz history has been here, as can be seen from the countless photos.
New times at Quasimodo
Since 2017, the club has been under new management and, as a global star in its prime, wants to get back in the game. The approach is working. In 2019, Quasimodo was named Venue of the Year by Initiative Musik. The programme is enormously diverse. In addition to renowned jazz acts, Quasimodo presents pop, rock, funk and hot party nights.
Despite all its musical diversions, Quasimodo remains closely connected to the jazz scene, is an important part of Berlin's jazz festivals and promotes local initiatives. The journey into the future has been a success.
Downstairs chic, upstairs chic
On some warm summer evenings, you don't have to go down to the basement, but can enjoy live music on the terrace of the Quasimodo Bar. The bar, decorated in elegant gold, brown and bronze, is also a perfect starting point before and ending point after the concert. Quasimodo celebrates the finest cocktail craftsmanship here, from classics to house recipes.
Our tips
- Whether you're into jazz or not, Quasimodo is a great venue with a great atmosphere. The events follow a pattern. Concerts always start at 10:30 p.m., with doors opening at 9 p.m.
- You can while away the time until the concert on Kantstraße. Here you will find many shops and restaurants, especially around Savignyplatz.
Your visit to Quasimodo:
It's only a few minutes' walk from Bahnhof Zoo to Quasimodo, so take public transport. The U2 and U9 underground lines, the S-Bahn city trains and numerous buses will take you right to the door.
When: Wednesday to Sunday from 6 p.m.
Where: Kantstraße 12a, Charlottenburg