Berlin Charlottenburg

Charlottenburg's quiet cafes and music venues cater to the 30-something set. Great for a mellow evening, or a chance to hear the city's best jazz, but the real parties are eastward. The Ku'damm is best avoided after sunset, unless you enjoy fraternizing with drunk businessmen.

A Trane, Bleibtreustr. 1 (www.a-trane.de), Small in size, big on talent. Hanging black and white photographs of jazz greats, some who even performed at A Trane (like legends Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis), look down on crowded tables filled with jazz enthusiasts. First-class musicians still entertain guests on a quiet street corner. S3, S5, S7, S9, or S75: Savignypl. Cover €7-15, students €5-13. Sa from 12:30am no cover. Open M-Th and Su 9pm-2am, F-Sa 9pm-late. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Cascade, Fasanenstr. 81 (www.cascade-club.de), The walk down to the large basement club is bookended by steps flooded by flowing water, hence the name Cascade. With a high cover, this club might be a bit of a splurge, but in return travelers get a dance floor of underlit blocks (à la T John Travolta), a wall-to-wall bar, and a young crowd--there might even actually be dancing! There are ways to get around the high admission price; stop by on a Friday and pick up a voucher for free entry, good the next evening, or next weekend. U1: Uhlandstr. Cover €10. Beer €3.50, shots €4. Open F-Sa 11am-late. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Salz, Salzufer 20 (www.salz-club.de), You'll have to go a little out of your way to find more upbeat and youthful bunch in low-key Charlottenburg. And by that we mean a 20-minute walk from the nearest U-Bahn station. But if you're looking to stay “in the neighborhood” and see someone dancing under the age of 32, this is the place to go. Exposed brick walls keep the disco-ball-lit floor looking classy at this salt-warehouse turned techno club. Out front find a beautiful patio lit with multi-colored lights and tiki torches. U2: Ernst-Reuter-Pl. Walk down Str. des 17 Juni to Satzufer. Turn left and walk along the river to Salz. Check the website for music schedules. No cover. Open F-Sa 8pm-late. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Quasimodo, Kantstr. 12A (www.quasimodo.de), The upside is that Quasimodo showcases live music in a variety of genres, including soul, R and B, and jazz, nearly every night of the week. The downside is that the older crowd sometimes gives the club a kind of office-party energy. Spacious basement room with large bar and stage. U2, S5, S7, S9, or S75: Zoologischer Garten. Check the website for music schedule. Drinks €2.50-4.50. Cover for concerts €8-30, cheaper if reserved in advance. Open daily 1pm-late. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Anda Lucia, Savignypl. 2 (www.andalucia-berlin.de), So you're wandering around the streets of Berlin after hours, thinking, “Hey, you know what I'm in the mood for? A little Latin flavor! I wonder where I could get nosh on tapas and show off my salsa at 2am!” Don't say we don't know our readers. And we've found the perfect place for you. Anda Lucia may not have a dance floor, but that doesn't keep the guests and staff from dancing around tables to salsa tunes blasting late into the heat of the night. Outdoor patio seating for those on a dance siesta and in the mood for a late night tapas (€3.70-4.10). S5, S7, or S75: Savignypl. Wines from €4 a glass. Tequila €3. Kitchen open 5pm-midnight. Tapas bar open 5pm-late. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.