Things to do
Reading stages, slams and open mics: Berlin for talkers and listeners
Every evening somewhere in Berlin, people read their own texts aloud, compete against each other or test their first joke. Here are the stages where it happens, and a club for anyone who wants to learn to speak in front of people.
Every Sunday Reformbühne Heim & Welt, 7 pm, 12 euros, reduced from 5 euros
In October Poetry Slam Grand Prix Germany on 23 and 24 October 2026
Speak yourself Toastmasters on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday, guests free
The classic
Quatsch Comedy Club
Stand-up beneath the Friedrichstadt-Palast, with big names from TV.
Kieznah tip
Reformbühne Heim & Welt
New texts every Sunday, read aloud in a pub in Prenzlauer Berg, entry from 5 euros.
Berlin has its own scene for people who like to talk and for those who like to listen. At reading stages, authors read new, mostly funny texts every week; at poetry slams the audience decides; and at open mics, newcomers try out their first jokes. If you want to get more confident speaking in front of people yourself, there are clubs for that.
01 Reformbühne Heim & Welt · Prenzlauer Berg
about 6 minutes on foot from Senefelderplatz U-Bahn station
Directions in Google Maps · Official site
One of the oldest Berlin reading stages still going meets every Sunday from September to June at BAIZ, Schönhauser Allee 26A, corner of Wörther Straße. Box office from 6:30 pm, start 7 pm, 12 euros, reduced from 5 euros. The regular authors read brand-new texts about everything under the sun, often with guests, and there is a slot called Giving Away Against Capitalism. No booking needed, just turn up.
02 Poetry Slam Grand Prix Germany · Charlottenburg
about 3 minutes on foot from Ernst-Reuter-Platz U-Bahn station
Directions in Google Maps · Official site
On 23 and 24 October 2026 the state poetry slam champions compete in Berlin, organised by the Berlin collective Kiezpoeten. The semi-finals are on Friday at the Pfefferberg Theater, the final on Saturday at 7:30 pm at the Renaissance-Theater at Knesebeckstraße 100. There is no jury; the audience votes each round by phone. Tickets cost from around 18 euros depending on the seller.
If you are looking for slam outside this weekend: Queer Slam Berlin calls itself the city's largest regular poetry slam series and takes place monthly; dates are in the event listings.
03 Quatsch Comedy Club · Mitte
about 7 minutes on foot from Friedrichstraße station
Directions in Google Maps · Official site
The club in the basement of the Friedrichstadt-Palast, Friedrichstraße 107, calls itself Germany's first stand-up comedy club, founded in 1992. The entrance is in the palace's box office hall. The programme includes a Live Show with several comedians, the newcomer show Hot Shot, a Late Night Show and an open mic at Bar 92. For visitors with little German, though, most of it will be hard to follow.
04 First Berlin Toastmasters Club · Kreuzberg
about 7 minutes on foot from Mendelssohn-Bartholdy-Park U-Bahn station
Directions in Google Maps · Official site
Toastmasters is a worldwide association where members practise public speaking with short speeches, impromptu rounds and feedback. The First Berlin Toastmasters Club meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 6:45 pm at St. Lukas Church, Bernburger Straße 4. According to the club, guests can visit for free and do not have to speak until they feel ready. Best ask via the club page which language the meetings are held in.
Good to know
- Language: Reading stages and slams are almost always in German. For English, check the listings for English-language comedy nights.
- Arrive early: At reading stages without bookings, first come, first seated.
If you would rather sing than talk, read on in Karaoke in Berlin. And for a whole evening of things to do, more ideas are in Fun in Berlin.