Open-Air Karaoke in Berlin’s Mauerpark

In Germany, karaoke is not simply for cramped private rooms and lowly dive bars. The famous Mauerpark is home to one of the most lively and entertaining karaoke venues in all of Europe. Located just north of Berlin, near Gesundbrunnen, this public park comes alive on Sunday afternoons.

Visitors can find locals grilling food, listening to live music and sunbathing on the grass. The Mauerpark Flea Market is a great place to find cheap artwork and funky clothes.

The main attraction of the park, however, is the infamous “Bearpit.” This stone amphitheater seats an incredibly diverse crowd — children, college students, foreigners, locals alike.

Founder Joe Hatchiban found the courage to walk into the amphitheater with his battery-operated speaker in 2009 and started a cultural phenomenon. Now, the legend himself meets with the brave singers around 3 p.m. to give them a much-needed pep talk before they go on.

But karaoke isn’t the only type of action happening in the pits. Performers show off their skills through a variety of mediums like pantomime and dance.

Check out the Bearpit Karaoke website to learn about upcoming events and make a donation to the PayPal account.