Silent Jazz Bar

It doesn't have to be loud to be intense. Musical virtuosity and precision can be better appreciated with quieter sounds anyway. The Silent Jazz Bar has turned this insight into a virtue and focuses on muted music as a mark of quality. It was founded by Urs Johnen and Alexander Wienand, and not entirely altruistically.

The two jazz professionals wanted to create a venue for jazz performances that was somewhere between a polished concert and pure improvisation. A playground for musicians that, unlike a rehearsal room, exudes a gig atmosphere. The Silent Jazz Bar concept fits the bill. A typical evening consists of three performances, each lasting around 20 minutes. There are no fixed admission prices. Only a recommended donation and a note that those who can are welcome to give more, and those who cannot are also welcome without a donation.

An extraordinary bar with extraordinary booking

The founders' large network ensures a well-filled programme. However, booking here is different from the usual. Anyone who wants to play and finds the concept interesting is invited to come by and introduce themselves. So there is a lot of direct contact and few expectations. Musicians are happy to take advantage of the creative freedom this allows – even for short or fragmentary performances without a long lead time.

High fidelity in a living room atmosphere

The Listening Lounge is another special feature of the Silent Jazz Bar. Here, the finest hi-fi technology from Bowers & Wilkins provides an uplifting sound experience. It's the perfect place for release parties, talks, corporate events or simply listening to your favourite records while enjoying a good cocktail. If you're looking for a venue for an event, you can easily hire the Listening Lounge – and even the entire bar if required. Enquiries can be made via the bar's website, but it's even nicer to drop by and simply ask.

Exciting drinks, quick bar food, crispy pizza

Let's move on to the latter part of the word "jazz bar": as curator, David Millán is the brains and palate behind the sophisticated cocktail menu at the Silent Jazz Bar (although he can sometimes be found behind the drums). Juan Cucalon is responsible for the drinks. Classics with a surprising twist and promising names are served: Two meet at the bar, It's decadent or Let the good times roll.

These are accompanied by classic bar food such as nuts and crisps or warm snacks. For those with a bigger appetite, Graham Odabas offers hot and crispy delicacies at the Silent Jazz Bar with his pop-up project Not your Nonna's Pizza.

Our tips

• Admission is free and the music is top-notch. With your donation, you can support the musicians and their projects.
• The Silent Jazz Bar not only plays music, but also aims to promote discourse. There are also talks and discussions on topics such as philosophy and literature.
• If you want to experience the great acoustics of the Listening Lounge, we recommend evenings without live performances.

Your visit to the Silent Jazz Bar

The Silent Jazz Bar is located right next to the Rote Insel in Schöneberg. It is only a few minutes' walk from the Julius-Leber-Brücke (S1) S-Bahn station. You'll be even closer if you get off at the Hohenfriedbergstraße stop on bus line M43. In the surrounding neighbourhood, you'll find other bars and restaurants where you can round off your evening. A night-time visit to the Gasometer is also impressive.

When: Daily from 5 p.m.
Where: Naumannstraße 3, Schöneberg