Berlin listening bar kwia confirms closure after five years

Berlin’s "beloved living room venue" kwia has confirmed that it will close at the end of July after suffering rent hikes that have made it unsustainable to continue operating.

Last August, the Maybachufer-based listening bar said that it anticipated its closure in 2026, revealing that it would "most likely close its doors" after five years.

Earlier this week, kwia said in a statement that it will close on July 25, 2026, writing: "We can sadly confirm that this day has come sooner than we’d hoped."

"When we first started kwia, it wasn’t easy to get the idea off the ground," they wrote. "People questioned whether a shoes-off venue could work in Berlin. Whether more contemplative forms of music deserved their own space."

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"The foundation of it has always been you – the community around kwia," they continued. "Your support has been more meaningful than anything we could ever express."

The venue thanked its team, who "passionately gave the space their all", as well as its guests and artists who frequented the venue. Those who have performed at kwia over the years include Roza Terenzi, CCL, DJ Plead, Call Super, and many more.

kwia first opened its doors in Kreuzberg in 2021 with a focus on ambient music, following the tradition of Japanese jazz kissas. After announcing its expected closure last year, kwia released its first compilation – a "love letter" to the venue and community with contributions from mobilegirl, Nick León, River Moon, and more.

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"More than a venue, kwia became an ongoing experiment in how we connect with one another. Five years later, seeing listening bars, ambient programs, and slower forms of gathering become more common around the world makes us incredibly happy."

"We always hoped kwia could show that spaces like this are possible, and that there is a real need for places built around presence, curiosity and connection," they concluded.

Read kwia’s full statement below, and check out the venue’s final run of parties here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor