Chez Jacki began in summer 2009 as an outdoor terrace along the Spree outside club Maria hosting daytime barbecues and dance parties—sometimes being described as a lite version of Bar 25. One year later, it moved indoors to the rarely used back room of Maria and voilà, their gatherings could then continue late into the night.

From the space’s aesthetic (neither glossy nor dirty) to the guests (lovers of music more than fashion), the vibe inside lacks pretension. The music varies from night to night, spanning techno, disco, IDM or sometimes even hip-hop. The uniting factor is an emphasis on quality music rather than name recognition, although the venue has hosted some reputable DJs like local expats Daniel Wang and Kid 606 as well as internationals James T. Cotton and I:Cube. Fair entry charges (normally between 5 and 8 euros) and drink prices seal the deal.

The centerpiece of the interior is a construction of wood and fluorescent lights that seems nearly kinetic, very DIY but more modernist than punk. Aside from serving as a visual element, the wood enhances the acoustics, something the Jacki guys take seriously, constantly reinvesting income toward improving the soundsystem.

As the Mediaspree continues its threat of wiping out independent locations like Jacki, those curious to check out this spot probably shouldn’t hold off much longer.