CHARLOTTENBURG ­ WILMERSDORF. Dark, smoky, swanky, and jiving ­ A-Trane is the quintessential Berlin jazz venue, a joint that provides the perfect end to a busy day of meetings or sightseeing. Performers are known the world over, from Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis to Nina Hill and Alice Coltrane, and the hip, knowledgable crowd keeps a cacophony going over the intimate den. If you're searching for "cool" in Berlin, this is the place to find it. S-BAHN: Savignyplatz

MITTE. This dark and cozy jazz bar serves up mostly local and regional musicians. Very popular on weekends.

TEMPELHOF ­ SCHÖNEBERG. Hot bodies and hot tunes are the mainstays at this popular alternative hangout. Sporting a pseudo-psychedelic decor with red accents, it is crowded to the brim on weekends.

CHARLOTTENBURG ­ WILMERSDORF. Located beneath the Quasimodo Cafe and Delphi Cinema, this much-loved jazz cellar is one of Berlin's oldest. Indeed, you can always be sure of one thing at Quasimodo ­ hearing fabulous music. In recent years, the joint's repertoire has expanded, and top-flight jazz is complemented by a good mix of blues, Latin and funk. As for the scene, few places are as conducive to intimate live performances: tables are strategically spaced to maximize sight-lines, and the bar is located on the opposite end of the room. As a result, folks waiting for drinks don't have to congregate around ones catching the show. U-BAHN: Bahnhof Zoo