Babylon Mitte Concert Venue / Theater

Babylon Mitte is housed in a restored landmark building with adjoining residential apartments. It was designed by Hans Poelzig as part of a 1920s project to revitalize the area around Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz in Berlin’s Mitte neighborhood. The cinema still contains the original pipe organ used to accompany silent films screened at the theater, which first opened in 1929.

Located in the heart of the former East Berlin, the Babylon Mitte building survived WWII, with the cinema’s projectionist even working against the Nazis by hiding resistance fighters in the projection room. By the time communism overtook the area during the Cold War, the theater became a favorite haunt of DDR officials, whose headquarters were around the corner.

Today events at Babylon Mitte revolve around films, music, and readings. There are a variety of shows including first-run indies, cult classics, Schräge Filme (a.k.a. weird films), concerts, festivals, literature readings, and more. Many screenings have helpful English subtitles. Better yet, Babylon Mitte tickets cost about €7 for adults regardless of the show, and even less for kids. Beer and wine is also available.

The main auditorium at Babylon Mitte seats about 500, with two additional screens (though the third screen is in a cramped attic space). With high-class programming, Babylon Mitte attracts film lovers, couples, and student types. The nearest U-Bahn stop is Rosa-Luxemurg-Platz.