Bearpit Karaoke im Mauerpark

The stone amphitheatre in Mauerpark holds the best known open-air stage in the city. Anyone who wants to can step into the ring and sing in front of several hundred to well over a thousand people, with no entry fee and no sign-up. Joe Hatchiban has been bringing the sound system along by bicycle since 2009 and traditionally takes the final song himself.

Open-Air Stage in the Mauerpark Amphitheater

Mauerpark stretches between Prenzlauer Berg and Gesundbrunnen along the strip where the “death strip” once lay. On the hillside, opposite the basketball court, lies a stone amphitheater that looks like an ancient excavation and is actually one of Berlin’s most famous stages. Bearpit Karaoke takes place here, outdoors, without a roof, without admission, and without prior registration. Anyone who wants to sing registers at the sound system, stands in the middle of the ring, and starts. The stands fill with several hundred to over a thousand people sitting on stone, blankets, and grass. The flea market runs all around, there’s a smell of barbecue, and half the park seems to be heading towards the amphitheater. Important to know: The whole event depends on the weather and is therefore never guaranteed. Those who come should understand it as a happy possibility and not as a fixed appointment. However, when it does take place, the atmosphere is incomparable to any bar in the city.

Open Stage for Everyone, Since 2009 and Without Admission

Behind it all is Joe Hatchiban, who started it in 2009 and still brings the equipment himself today. He used to be a bicycle courier and has been cycling the battery-powered system to the park ever since; it’s set up directly at the edge of the ring. The selection process is straightforward, the atmosphere supports even those who don’t hit the notes, and the more timid someone starts, the louder the ranks sing along. Traditionally, Joe performs the last song himself. Bearpit Karaoke costs nothing, but during the show, a collection container goes through the audience, from which the operation is financed. The format has also made it to other locations, such as the Berlin Beer Festival, the Long Night of Museums, and demonstrations. One limitation is noteworthy: The amphitheater is currently being renovated, and the redevelopment of the “Sonnenhügel” (sun hill) is expected to be completed in 2027. Barrier-free access to the stage will be improved, which is a real step forward for an open-air format. The park is accessible via the Bernauer Straße subway station, about a five-minute walk away.