7 recurring jazz jam sessions in Berlin, sorted by night. We checked each one against the venue’s own website, calendar or ticket page on October 8, 2026. Jam nights move, so open the venue’s listing before you head out. New to jams? Read how to sit in. Another city? Search the whole map.
Monday jazz jams in Berlin
Third Monday of the month
Jazzkeller 69 Jam
20:00
Kühlspot Social Club · Lehderstrasse 74-79, Weißensee
- Host: Willi Kellers and Assi
- How it runs: An opening band plays first, then the jam. Doors open at 19:30.
- Style: Free jazz and freebop, no standards
- Cover: €5, which doubles as a drink voucher if you join the session
- For bass players: The backline includes a bass amp (Laney Linebacker 65), but no double bass is listed.
- Good to know: Spots to play are limited, so arrive on time. Runs September to May.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
First Monday of the month
Schlot Session
20:30
Kunstfabrik Schlot · Invalidenstraße 117 in the Edison Höfen (also accessible from Schlegelstraße 26), Mitte
- How it runs: An opening set, then the session, where players are invited to play together and hang out rather than just run their own material. Doors open at 19:30.
- Cover: Admission €12/€8; session €5
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Tuesday jazz jams in Berlin
Most Tuesdays
Zig Zag Jazzed Up Jam Session
20:00
Zig Zag Jazz Club · Hauptstr. 89, Friedenau
- Host: Uri Gincel (piano), with Tobias Backhaus (drums) in the house trio
- How it runs: The opening band plays a short set, then the session starts, with players rotating through changing line-ups on stage. Doors open at 19:00, and seats go first come, first served.
- Cover: €20 with 2 drinks before 22:00; €10 with 1 drink from 22:00, subject to availability
- For bass players: Paul Kleber plays bass in the house trio.
- Good to know: Some Tuesdays are skipped (none on 3 or 17 Nov 2026), so check the club's calendar first.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Wednesday jazz jams in Berlin
Every Wednesday
Robins Nest Jam Session
21:00
b-flat Acoustic Music & Jazz Club · Dircksenstrasse 40, Mitte
- Host: Robin Draganić, who's run it since 1999
- How it runs: Different players and a different crowd every week. Doors open at 20:00.
- For bass players: The host, Robin Draganić, is a bassist.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Thursday jazz jams in Berlin
One Thursday a month
Session 99
19:30 to 22:00
Kapelle 99 · Boxhagener Straße 99, Friedrichshain
- Host: Musikschule Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg (a public music school)
- How it runs: A professional jazz or pop band opens, then the stage is open to everyone to jam.
- Style: Jazz and pop
- Cover: Free
- Good to know: The date changes month to month (rest of 2026: 8 Oct, 12 Nov, 10 Dec), and there are no sessions in July or August.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every other Thursday
Jazz in der Alten Feuerwache
20:00
Kulturhaus Alte Feuerwache (Studiobühne) · Marchlewskistr. 6, Friedrichshain
- How it runs: A band plays a concert, then it opens up into a jam session.
- Cover: Free
- Good to know: Not every date has a jam. Look for dates marked 'Konzert & Jam-Session' on the venue calendar; 8 Oct 2026 was a concert only.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Every Thursday
Jazzscheune Reinickendorf Jam Session
20:30
Landhaus Schupke · Alt-Wittenau 66 / Eichborndamm, Wittenau
- Host: Jazzfreunde Reinickendorf e.V.
- How it runs: An opening band plays first, then the stage opens to all jazz players at 21:30.
- Cover: Free
- For bass players: Bassist Jörn Henrich is in the pool of opening-band players.
Venue listing Checked October 8, 2026
Before you sit in
Jam etiquette
- A1Use the sign-up sheet if there is one, and ask to sit in. If a bassist is already on the stand, ask: “Hey, is it cool if I play?”
- A2Don’t push to the front. In Will’s words: “Don’t try to always be the first one to play. Don’t kick anybody off especially if nobody knows you.”
- A3Time your walk. When Will hears the band “playing the head out of the song,” that’s when he starts making his way up.
From lesson 5 of From Unknown to Unavailable. All five tips
Go deeper
From Unknown to Unavailable
A field manual from NYC bassist Will Lyle for bassists who can play but aren't getting the call, and don't know why.
FAQ
Which nights have jazz jams in Berlin?
As of October 8, 2026, our list has jams on Monday (2), Tuesday (1), Wednesday (1) and Thursday (3). Check the venue listing on the day you go, since nights change.
How do I sit in at a jazz jam as a bass player?
Put your name on the sign-up sheet if there is one. If a bassist is already playing, ask if you can take a tune. Don’t try to go first every time, and don’t bump anyone. New York bassist Will Lyle starts walking toward the stand when he hears the band play the head out.
Other cities
Browse every city on the Jam Finder
Better Bass Lessons isn’t connected to any venue on this page. Listings checked October 8, 2026.