Image by Herrmann Koenigs

A few years ago, A-Trane became my favourite destination when it came down to enjoying high class jazz. Together with the B-Flat, it is certainly one of the important jazz clubs in Berlin, although it is way smaller than the B-Flat. But that gives it a much more laid-back and cozier atmosphere. And you can feel that during the concerts.

It was on Monday evenings that I got drawn here more often when local pianist Andreas Schmidt plays (for free!) with friends from around the world. I became obsessed with the weekly varying beauty of the relaxed sounds that Schmidt and his friends create.

Of course, A-Trane has got more to offer than this: concerts of top-class musicians and, last but not least, the “Jam Late Night Session” which is free and takes place during the night from Saturday to Sunday from 0:30. For the programme check the A-trane website.

Concert admission depends on who’s playing. Should be between 5 and 20 Euros.

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A-Trane | Bars, Music | Beer 0.5L € 4.00
Bleibtreustr. 1 | Charlottenburg | +49303132550
Sun – Thu 21:00 – 02:00, Fri – Sat 21:00 – open end

Image by Sarah Curth

Anyone who says that photos of naked women are always pornographic has never seen the art works of the photographer Helmut Newton.

Several months before his death in 2004, the artist founded the Helmut Newton Foundation, which now cares for his work and owns two floors of the old Landwehrkasino next to Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten. Newton spent his first 18 years in Berlin before he left in 1938 to go to Australia. Later on he started to work for Vogue and became a successful photographer who was one of the first to establish eroticism in fashion photography.

Since 2004 the Helmut Newton Museum has been displaying Newton’s private collection, which contains many of his cameras, personal belongings, a rebuilt workroom, memorabilia, videos, but most of all: his photos. The most impressive ones can be seen in the entrance hall: large format photos of the first naked women Newton took pictures of. In a second part of the museum, temporary exhibitions from the Museum of Photography are always worth seeing.

For the current exhibition have a look on their English website.

For anyone who still wants to see more of Helmut Newton, there is a Newton Bar in Mitte (Charlottenstraße 57) here you can see the largest Newton photo displayed on private property.

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Helmut Newton Museum | Art & culture | Admission € 8.00
Jebensstraße 2 | Charlottenburg | +493031864856
Tue – Sun 10:00 – 18:00, Thu 10:00 – 22:00

Image by Sarah Curth

Chocolate, Ice cream, cakes and coffee – in this cafe you are spoilt for choice!

In a small oriel of a grand building which is situated near Savignyplatz, people with a passion for sweets will feel at home. In summer you can sit outside and watch the passers-by while enjoying your ice cream, in winter the small cozy interior invites you to a hot chocolate. In the tubular room you will find two big vitrines for ice cream and cakes in the front and comfortable armchairs in the back.

The ambiance is perfect for enjoying special coffee drinks like Chocolate café to the full. Also breakfast, yogurt with fruits, baguette, antipasti and wine is offered.

If you want to go there more often you should get a Bleibtreu-Karte (loyalty card) which gives you a loyalty bonus (a free coffee or ice cream) after 9 visits/stamps.

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Chokocafé | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Hot dark Chocolate € 2.80
Bleibtreustraße 15/16 | Charlottenburg | +493060927872
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 19:00, Sun 13:00 – 19:00