The Admiralspalast on Friedrichstraße was built in 1911 over an accidentally discovered brine spring and once united a thermal bath, ice palace, bowling alleys, and a cinema under one roof. Today, the listed building is a guest performance venue with around 1,600 seats, a preserved Emperor's Box, and original, hand-operated stage machinery.
From the Brine Spring to the Ice Palace on Friedrichstraße
The Admiralspalast is located at Friedrichstraße 101, less than fifty meters from Friedrichstraße station, where the S-Bahn, U6, tram lines M1 and 12, and bus line 147 stop; deliveries are made via Planckstraße, and the building includes an inner courtyard of approximately 400 square meters. In the front building, the political cabaret “Die Distel” has been performing since 1953, and a few house numbers away stands the Friedrichstadt-Palast. It all began by chance: in 1867, construction workers discovered a brine spring here, and in 1873, the Admiralsgartenbad opened, which was expanded to three floors in 1890. In 1910, the bathhouse was demolished, and on April 20, 1911, the Admiralspalast opened with a thermal bath, ice palace, café, bowling alleys, restaurants, and a cinema; Heinrich Schweitzer and Alexander Diepenbrock were responsible. The ice rink measured 50 by 23 meters, the main pool 14 by five meters, and the luxury bath offered Roman-Russian baths with mosaics and majolica decor. Around 1921, Oskar Kaufmann and Richard Wolffenstein converted the ice rink into a World Variety Theatre in Art Deco style, which had 1,065 seats. In 1923, it became a revue theater under Herman Haller, and in 1931, another renovation created a full theater with around 2,200 seats in an Expressionist design.
Emperor’s Box, Counterweights, and a Program from Comedy to Musicals
Today’s hall is shaped by the 1939 renovation according to plans by Paul Baumgarten, simple and classicist; in 1941, a central box was added to the first tier. Between 1945 and 1955, the Deutsche Staatsoper performed here, in 1946, the founding party congress of the SED took place in the building, and from 1955 to 1997, it operated as the Metropol-Theater with operettas and Broadway musicals. The Admiralspalast owes its protected status precisely to this political role: in 1979, it was included in the central monument list of the GDR, and since 1990, it has been on the unified German list. After being acquired in 2003, it reopened in 2006 with “The Threepenny Opera.” Since 2011, various operators have managed the venue, currently ATG Theater GmbH. The theater hall measures 850 square meters and can seat approximately 1,600 guests with row seating, 800 in the stalls and 400 each on the two tiers; the stage measures 450 square meters, and the original Emperor’s Box and hand-operated counterweights are preserved. Bars and foyers for up to 1,300 guests span three floors. The program features guest performances ranging from cabaret, concerts, and ballet to musicals, with prices usually between 10 and 80 Euros. Six wheelchair accessible seats are located in the stalls, and an elevator leads to the tier and balcony.
Top10 Redaktion
Erfahrungsbericht vom 29.10.2026
Price Level
Prices depend on the respective organizer and usually range between 10 and 80 Euros. A children's musical starts at 38.00 Euros, a ballet evening at around 37 Euros.
Seats
With row seating, approximately 1,600 seats, of which 800 are in the stalls and 400 each on the two tiers. Other sources mention up to 1,700 seats.
Rooms
Theater hall 850 square meters, stage 450 square meters, bar foyers on the first and second floors each 140 square meters, inner courtyard approximately 400 square meters. The foyers spanning three floors can accommodate up to 1,300 guests.
Preserved Details
The original Emperor's Box, hand-operated counterweights, and parts of the original stage machinery are preserved. In 1941, a central box was added to the first tier.
History
In 1867, construction workers discovered a brine spring, and in 1873, the Admiralsgartenbad opened. After the demolition of the bathhouse, the Admiralspalast opened on April 20, 1911, with a thermal bath, ice palace, café, bowling alleys, restaurants, and a cinema.
Architects
Heinrich Schweitzer was responsible for the artistic direction and Alexander Diepenbrock for the technical direction of the 1911 construction. Today's hall is shaped by the simple classical renovation of 1939 according to plans by Paul Baumgarten.
The Luxury Bath
The original building included Roman-Russian baths with mosaics and majolica decor. The ice rink measured 50 by 23 meters, the main pool 14 by five meters. Around 1921, the ice rink was converted into a World Variety Theatre in Art Deco style.
Monument Protection
In 1979, the building was added to the central monument list of the GDR as the founding site of the SED, and in 1990, it was transferred to the unified German list. Today, it is a listed building on the Berlin Monument List.
As Metropol-Theater
From 1955 to 1997, the venue operated as the Metropol-Theater with operettas and Broadway musicals. Between 1945 and 1955, it served as an interim venue for the Deutsche Staatsoper.
Accessibility
Step-free access from Friedrichstraße station, six wheelchair accessible seats in the stalls, which must be specified when purchasing tickets. Staff accompany guests to their seats and the lower foyer, an elevator leads to the first tier and balcony, and accessible restrooms are on the ground floor.
Food and Drink and Cloakroom
Permanently installed bars with cold and hot drinks, freshly baked pretzels, nuts, popcorn, and ice cream. The cloakroom costs 3.00 Euros per jacket, large bags are accepted at the container in the courtyard for 5.00 Euros.
Transport and Contact
Approximately fifty meters to Friedrichstraße station with S-Bahn, regional trains, and U6, as well as tram lines M1 and 12 and bus line 147. The building is located in the environmental zone, a green badge is required. Friedrichstraße 101, 10117 Berlin.
Opening Hours
- Daily: 11:00-18:00
